Rock’n’Roll George, or George Kyprios as was his original name, was a Greek Australian living in Brisbane who died in 2009 at the age of 82. His great passion was his yellow FX Holden car, which he drove during the 50s and 60s and made him a local VIP.
Rock’n’Roll George drove his ’52 FX Holden up and down the Brisbane streets many times a day, with the windows of the car always open and rock’n’roll music playing at full blast. Man and car were always together, soon turning into an urban myth.
The locals composed a song about George: “Up and down Queen St / past the city hall / who’s that in the driver’s seat / it’s Rock’ n’ Roll George.”
The great “blonde” love of his was a gift of his mom. His parents were of Greek origin but George was raised in Brisbane’s West End. He loved sports, including rugby, cricket, boxing, and worked as a presser, luggage manufacturer and finally, at the government printing office.
During his funeral in 2009, Australia’s media broadcast the ceremony and paid tribute to George’s characteristic car. Now, two years after, the Queensland Museum displays his faded yellow FX Holden with the famous plate “Rock’n’Roll” on it. As part of the Museum’s 150-year celebration, they constructed a replica of the car, which will be driven once more around the city playing rock sounds.
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