Michael “Chuggi” Chugg might be an internationally renowned tour promoter, but he never forgets his home state.
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Launceston-born Chugg is the force behind Sir Elton John’s recently announced Australian tour, Once in a Lifetime.
John will perform just four shows in Australia – all regional – including at the Derwent Entertainment Centre in Hobart on September 27.
Chugg said it had been 27 years since the maestro had performed in the city, despite doing two shows in Launceston in the past decade.
“We thought it was time to give the lower half of the state … a break,” Chugg said.
Chugg said the idea of a regional Australian tour was flagged when John was in the country in late 2015.
“So it was a great opportunity to get Tasmania in there,” Chugg said.
“I suggested that it be a good time to go back to Hobart. Being an ex-Tasmanian I like to try and get shows down here whenever I can.”
Chugg said he was unsure yet if he would accompany John to his homestate, but if he did, he had a clear list of things to do: visit friends and family, the East Coast, grab some seafood, and indulge in some Tasmanian wine.
Chugg left Tasmania for Melbourne in 1967, at the age of 20. Would he ever consider returning, to spend his twilight years here?
“To be quite honest with you, I don’t think I’ll ever retire,” he told The Sunday Examiner.
“When you’re doing something that you love it’s very hard to think about retiring.
“I don’t see it as a job, I’ve been doing it for 53 years now.”
Even after all the time, Chugg is still impressed with Australian music, citing Tash Sultana and his label’s own band The Griswolds as artists that were impressing overseas.
“There’s a lot going on worldwide and it’s great for Australian music,” he said.
“And Elton’s always been a huge supporter of Australian music. As soon as he gets off the plane, he and his assistant go to all the record bars and they buy up the latest Australian music.
“If people are out and about [in Hobart], they wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the local record bar buying the latest vinyl and the local Australian music.”
Tickets for John’s Once in a Lifetime Hobart show begin at $99. Pre-sale tickets are available through Chugg Entertainment. General ticket sales begin on March 14.
