Instead, he wound up being hired by the Village People.

During the 1980s, Anzalone "did the Sunset Strip thing for a while" as front-man for heavy metal band Paradigm.

"What a time to be in a metal band in L.A; those were some good times," he said.

"That kind of decadence is different to what I'm doing now."

Perhaps not the ideal preparation for joining the disco legends and gay icons, who have sold more than 100 million recordings.

"I went through the Village Voice and found an ad," he explained.

"It was [a group] wanting somebody with a passport, so I thought, 'they want someone with a passport, so they must be working'.

"So I sent some details off with all my rock stuff."

Having no idea which group he was applying for, Anzalone later received a phone call from their management.

"I asked the name of the band, and when they told me I asked if it was a cover band," he said.

"It wasn't until later when I sat across from them and saw them (that he believed it).

"It ended up being the Village People; I had no idea it was them."

Formed in Greenwich Village, New York in 1977 the Village People became hugely popular thanks to disco-inspired mega-hits like Macho Man, In The Navy, Go West and dance-floor anthem YMCA.

Anzalone has remained in the role The Biker since 1995.

Village People's current line-up also consists of Raymond Simpson (cop and lead singer), Felipe Rose (native American), Alexander Briley (GI/military), Bill Whitefield (construction worker) and Jim Newman (cowboy).

Rose and Briley are original members of the group.

Anzalone has also performed in various stage productions, and is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church and can legally officiate wedding ceremonies.

Having escaped from Los Angeles in 1992, he calls New Jersey home, where he lives with his wife (who is Australian) and daughter.

Whether performing to tens of thousands at festivals with the Village People, or playing in a small pub with a band, he said it was a thrill being onstage.

"Really, if you like what you do ... When I was playing to 10, 50, or 100 people in my rock band, or 10, 20 or 50,000 with Village People, it's the same excitement as an artist," Anzalone said.

"Having anyone, even one person in the audience for my rock band, which has happened, just to be onstage giving it your all is amazing."

Anzalone said the Village People's personnel shared an ethos.

"We never forget how blessed we are that this group has been around for 38 years and we still have an audience.

"It reminds us of how lucky we are. It is cool to see a kid dancing to YMCA or Macho Man, and then see your granny out there.

"It reminds you that music cuts across traditions, generations and cultures."