Rockin‟ with the Beat”

“ROCKIN‟ WITH THE BEAT” We hear a lot about the origins of rock „n‟ roll which swept the world during the 1950‟s, but just how did the revival of rock „n‟ roll in New Zealand come about? To find out, we located two reliable sources – Judy Russell and Gordon Holland, both well known figures in the NZ rock „n‟ roll scene. Between Judy and Gordon we were able to gain insight to the magic that has today become a national craze! It started one abstract weekend back in 1978 when Gordon had arranged to meet his cousin in a Wellington bar for a little rest and social recreation. As it happens, Gordon ended up in the wrong pub (“The Cricketers Arms”) where a rock „n‟ roll band, “The Falcons” were playing. When the friends finally met up with each other that evening, they decided they liked the band and spent the rest of the evening enjoying The Falcons music. The group of friends retuned to the venue on another three occasions, after which time the band unfortunately was to disband. Expressing concern, there was a comment made that there were not enough venues where one could enjoy rock „n „roll music on a regular basis, and that perhaps it would be a good idea to form a club for that specific purpose. Gordon had always been a rock „n‟ roll music fan, so readily agreed. Socialising carried on and the matter was put to one side (not so for Gordon) who during the course of the week contacted Radio Windy and asked them to advertise a meeting for anyone who was interested in forming a rock „n‟ roll club. On the weekend this had been arranged, Gordon‟s mates were out playing golf until they heard about the meeting at 70 Homebush Road (the meeting they were hosting!). 24 people turned up to that evening including such people as Nigel Fisher, Sandra Mazey (now Sandra Fisher), Brian and Pauline Meynell, the list goes on. Gordon was elected President. Club activities were centred around the music more than the dance and it was a common occurrence to get an old movie, cook up some stew or sausages and potatoes, and make an afternoon of it. A little different from the club nights we know today! Gordon will tell you he has two left feet, and it was such people as Dave and Mary Sayers, Judy Russell, and various others added the dance influences. The Club went from strength to strength, and influenced other rock „n‟ roll fans into forming their own Clubs. We‟ve many stories to tell you about the events that happened along the way, and each month we‟ll bring you a few more! From the Wellington club formation in June 1978, Gordon‟s intrepid determination to keep the club alive and kicking was an inspiration and driving force for the club‟s following. With tongue in cheek promises of overseas artists, promotions which sometimes worked, and sometimes…well. With the dedicated crew, the club gained access to the Petone Workingmen‟s Club which was in Petone Ave, Petone at the time. From mid March to mid December 1979, this was the home of Rock „n‟ Roll in Wellington. Funding for the club was achieved in many ways, not the least stalls in the likes of Wellington Trades Fair selling mirrors sporting pop icons such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, etc. embedded into the glass. One of the more ambitious ventures was to bring in overseas rock „n‟ roll stars the likes of Chuck Berry! At this time one of the regular venues for rock „n‟ rollers was the Newlands Arms where each Thursday night rockers were treated to the sounds of “The Delrons”. In 1978 records show the membership had grown to around 145 and was still on the increase; dancing lessons were started in Wainuiomata at the Wainui Community Hall and at a committee meeting in September 1978 a New Year hop was suggested to follow on from a planned Halloween hop. During this period Auckland‟s Kevin Hookway was a major contributor to the Club by way of contacts and information. Kevin jacked up two paintings and lent the Club numerous books. Correspondence and support from Kevin continued for over two years including liaisons with Johnny Devlin who had started to take an active interest in the Club. Kevin dropped the paintings and books down to Gordon during a quick two day visit and three days later on October 29th 1979 he sadly died. The Club held it‟s 2nd birthday and local champs at the Wellington Railway Hall with the birthday cake baked by Sandra Fisher (nee Mazey). In May 1980 application was submitted to NZ Post to register the Wellington Rock-N-Roll Revival Club‟s first regular newsletter. However this was declined due to not containing the 25% required news content. The Club continued to grow and with word getting out, demand for demos was increasing from such places as Unilever NZ Ltd who wanted Rockers to do a demo at the Annual ball. Gordon, meanwhile, was in communication with Twentieth Century fox Film Corporation to secure some posters from Elvis‟s movies. A copy of Club literature in early 1980 indicates that Club membership had now grown to 300 and the focus was still the same – “The preservation and enjoyment of 50‟s and 60‟s Rock „n‟ Roll”. The Club now had a magazine which was sent out bi-monthly, with newsletters in between. Four main hops were held each year such as “Elvis Presley Memorial Hop”, “Buddy Holly Memorial Hop”, “Halloween Hop” and “Rock „n‟ Roll Dancing Championships Cabaret Hop”. Other smaller hops were held on a regular basis including 60‟s music tribute nights, and hillbilly country music nights. This of course was not all! Rock „n‟ Roll was hot, and so were the entry prices at around $8.00 per head to attend hops (this price included drinks and supper). Club nights, beach parties, talent quest, general club get together evenings along with concession group tickets to concerts and Rock „n‟ Roll movies. There was heaps to keep the avid Rock „n‟ Roller interested. Dance lessons were periodic and free and plans to hold a Rock „n‟ Roll Awards Night with Bill Haley and his comets as guest artists were being looked at. Yes, it was all happening! Tom Sharplin, a hard out rock „n‟ roll singer (who is still hard out today!) was made an honorary member, along with Raymond Michael who could make you believe you were spending a night with Elvis, and Robert Attias (a Buddy Holly lookalike and sound alike) who could also bring back the sound and glamour of the real Buddy Holly. Robert had performed at a birthday party for Christine Onassis at the Bistro, Beverley Hills, and performed also for Academy Governer‟s Balls in 1972 and 1976. All of the abovementioned artists were supportive and keen for the Club to succeed. Roy Orbison was doing a stint in New Zealand and was invited back to the Clubrooms after his Wellington concert. It is my understanding that Auckland was by this time home to a thriving Rock „n‟ Roll community, however my many attempts to glean some information to date have been a dead end. I will not give up and am constantly searching for anyone who has some information re the early Auckland days. PLEASE HELP! Yes, with the support of celebrities and a growing interest both in rock „n‟ roll and the extended activities of the club membership, growth was a happening thing. A point to note was that many members and supporters were not only kept loyal by the way of club nights and lessons, but also the added activities not directly related to rock „n‟ roll, aimed at creating an environment where those with a common love for both the music and the dance could extend their fellowship to other activities. For many, the events such as the Gong Contest held at a local pub was a mid week entertainment for up and coming would be entertainers. Participants were invited to strut their stuff – whether it be to sing, dance or simply amuse. Those that attended this event on a casual or regular basis were treated to a night of hilarity and embarrassment doing their stuff and awaiting the dreaded GONG. There were fun nights where the emphasis was not on rock „n‟ roll but on letting loose and having some fun. Wellington Rock „n‟ Roll Revival Club‟s Membership numbers had grown from 102 the first year, 298 in the second, 400 in the third and 540 at year 4. Bo Diddley was invited by the Club to perform in Wellington Town Hall and accepted. This was a gamble on the Club‟s behalf as the cost was astronomical. The night was financially a total failure with only 240 people turning up (15 of which were helpers). 240 people in Wellington Town Hall amounted to a group in a corner! In 1980 Malcolm Kemp was an integral part of organising the Club‟s involvement with the highly successful TV series “Rock Around The Cloc”. The Club was to gain both in popularity and a financial boost to the Club for their contribution to the series. The series comprised of six one hour shows with Paul Holmes being the first compere and Ian Watkins backing up. After the show, there was always a great social wind down back at the club rooms. Whilst there was a serious side to the Club and it‟s activities, the main emphasis was on fun activities with the advent of the Christmas camps.

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