He reluctantly took steel guitar lessons from the age of eight – he wanted to play rugby instead. Sydney TV show Bandstand featured hits from the UK and US played by Australian artists. As Rob E.G., Porter made his TV debut in 1959 performing the lap steel guitar instrumental "Sleep Walk" (originally by Santo & Johnny); he was soon signed to Rex Records and became a Bandstand regular.
He reluctantly began learning steel guitar at age eight, preferring rugby instead. Sydney TV show Bandstand featured hits from both the UK and US performed by Australian artists. As Rob E.G., Porter made his television debut in 1959 playing "Sleep Walk" (originally by Santo & Johnny) on the lap steel guitar; he was soon signed to Rex Records and became a regular performer on Bandstand.