"I came to realise that everyone but the singer had to carry a lot of gear around so I decided to be a vocalist."
Anderson says the Australian pubs, clubs and halls were always on the lookout for live bands.
"Before pokie machines came along, managers always needed live music to entertain the punters and a lot of young, Kiwi musicians headed over there and did well."
Over five decades later, 70-year-old Anderson can look back on film and television roles that have netted him numerous awards and his music career has continued as well.
In June last year, he released a new album Andersongs made with help from other seasoned musicians who adopted the working name Tripsplat.
Although it was a joke, drummer Hayden Lauridsen, bass player Adrian Fou and guitarist Jeff Carr decided they like the name and wanted to stick with it.
Missing from the line-up will be Bruce "The Phantom" Robinson who died before Andersongs was released.
"It was a privilege to have him work on the album with me and he had a big impact on the sound of my songs."
Anderson says he is looking forward to joining Whanganui musician Fred Loveridge and a line-up of great bands at the Pauls Rd Music Festival this Sunday.
Money raised from the event will be donated to the Starlit Hope charity created by Gabby Devine in February 2013.
This will be the 10th year that Dean and Marian Butler have opened their property for the festival.
Tickets for the event at 42 Pauls Rd can be bought from Gatshack Music on the corner of Ridgway and St Hill streets for $15 for adults or $5 for children, although a limited number may be available at the gate on the day.
Gates open at 11.30am on Sunday. Bands will play from noon until 7pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own seating, shade, and food and drink.