Almanac Music: Dylan Covers – Kiwi Style: 1965-75

 

After three consecutive articles on ‘Dylan Covers – Aussie Style’Almanac , I thought I’d take a break and voyage across the ditch to uncover what was happening in the ‘Land Of The Long White Cloud’. My voyage was well rewarded, with Kiwi artists & bands taking a shine to Dylan’s anthology.

 

What I’ve found most interesting is that there are two distinct era’s where Dylan covers have found favour with the Kiwis. The first era is 1965-75, then a period of relative quiet on the Dylan covers front, before another surge of recording interest between 2000-15.

 

This first article on ‘Dylan Covers – Kiwi Style’ will focus on the first era (1965-75) – charting the emergence of a distinctive Kiwi music scene & sound.

 

 

Rod MacKinnon

 

For budding folk musician Rod MacKinnon, windy Wellington’s Monde Marie café was an intoxicating place. From his arrival from the West Coast in 1962 at the age of nineteen and with an ambition to be NZ’s first commercial folk singer, the Monde Marie was to be like a second home for him for the next five years.

 

MacKinnon sets the scene as follows: “As you came off Majoribanks Street, a huge mosaic inspired by the Jimmie Rodgers song ‘Woman From Iberia’ greeted you. Inside, Marie had created the nearest New Zealand had to a bohemian French café. A hubbub of conversation and thick smoke filled the air. With no room for a stage, musicians perched on tables, arm rests, anywhere you could squeeze in really. There was no separation between audience and performer. Marie lorded over her domain, employing attractive waitresses and not stepping back if trouble brewed. If Marie felt the noise was drowning out the music, a sharp retort of ‘shut up – he’s singing’ cut the air.”

 

And it was in this setting, in 1965, that Rod recorded several songs, including Dylan’s ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall’, that would be included on his first, and only, commercial album Hard Rain.

 

 

 

 

Rod also recorded and released two studio-based singles in 1965 featuring Dylan cover songs on the ‘A’ side – ‘Walkin’ Down The Line’ and ‘To Ramona’. These were also included on the Hard Rain album.

 

 

The Rayders

 

Originally established in Auckland in 1964 and known as the Seakers, the band changed its name in 1965 to The Rayders to avoid confusion with the Australian group, the Seekers.

 

The band recorded an album in February 1965 titled Platter-Rack Raid With The Rayders. The album, released in June 1965, included a cover of Dylan’s ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right’.

 

 

 

 

The group then headed across to Australia for a residency at Sydney’s Havana Club. Unfortunately, the club burned down before they could commence, so they spent the next three months gigging around at whatever venues they could find. They managed to get a gig for five weeks at Melbourne’s Playboy Club and also headlined the Festival Hall Showcase.

 

In 1966, the band released further singles, including a cover of Dylan’s ‘It’s All Over Now Baby Blue’.

 

By the end of 1966 the band decided to disband.

 

Auth comment: Clive Coulson, who had joined The Rayders as its vocalist in mid 1966, moved to England in the late 1960’s where he became a roadie for Led Zeppelin and later, the manager for Bad Company.

 

 

The Breakaways

 

‘Bari and The Breakaways’ were formed in New Plymouth in 1964 but shortly thereafter based themselves in Wellington. During 1965, Bari left the band to get married and the band was re-named ‘The Breakaways’. Around the same time, guitarist Midge Marsden was called up for compulsory military service, based at Nelson, and the band also relocated to Nelson until Midge rejoined them. The band then based themselves in Christchurch.

 

The band released a number of singles between 1965-66 and completed recording their first album in May 1966. It was released as Let’s Take A Sea Cruise With The Breakaways. One of the tracks is a cover of Dylan’s ‘She Belongs To Me’, which includes some nice harmonica.

 

 

 

 

The Breakaways enjoyed the distinction of being the first full-time R&B group in NZ and the only group to appear and play live on the TV shows ‘Let’s G0’, ‘Teen Scene’ and ‘C’Mon’. Despite this and releasing a second studio album in 1967 (titled Album Two), the band failed to make an impact beyond NZ and disbanded in late 1967.

 

 

The Convairs

 

The Convairs were an Auckland-based folk group that formed in 1961. The trio of Johnny Bond (vocals, banjo), Michael Dolan (vocals, guitar) and Phil Seth (vocals, guitar) spent 18 months practising together before entering and winning the radio talent show ‘Have A Shot’ on radio station 1ZB. As part of their prize, they recorded their first single ‘Lemon Tree’.

 

Between 1962 – 63, the band entered the television version of ‘Have A Shot’ and despite only securing enough votes to come third, they were offered a five-year recording contract with HMV and a six-part TV series on NZBC titled ‘I’ll Give My Love An Apple’. The recording contract resulted in numerous singles and an LP. The TV show was so successful, they were kept on for a second series titled ‘Convairs On Camera’.

 

In 1964, the band embarked on a year-long tour of Australia, which included appearances on the ‘Bandstand’ TV show and the Tamworth Music Festival.

 

1965 and 1966, saw the band maintain it’s touring and recording schedule – with the release of five more singles and a second LP. One of the 1965 singles was a double Dylan cover: ‘A’ side: ‘Walkin’ Down The Line’; ‘B’ side: ‘Tomorrow Is A Long Time’.

 

In September 1966, the earlier recording of ‘Tomorrow Is A Long Time’ was repackaged and set up as the ‘A’ side, with a cover of Joey Power’s ‘Midnight Mary’ on the ‘B’ side. The single became one of the first New Zealand-recorded discs released in the UK where it was warmly received, with trade paper Record Mirror reviewing it as “a charming version of the Dylan song, treated reverently and commended.”

 

 

 

 

In 1967, after another lengthy tour of Australia, the band decided to call it a day.

 

 

The Tongues

 

The Tongues were a rock band from Auckland, founded in 1967 by vocalist/songwriter Chris Parfitt, guitarist Mike Balcombe, bassist John Walmsley, organist Bruce Coleman and drummer Rob Noad. The group reached #1 for 2 weeks in 1969 with a cover of ‘Rain And Tears’. That same year, the group did a six-month residency at Sydney’s ‘Whiskey-a-Go-Go’.

 

In early 1970, the band performed at ‘Redwood 70’, the first major modern music festival held in NZ.

 

In March 1970, the band released their second studio album The Tongues, which includes two Dylan covers: ‘I Shall Be Released’ and ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’.

 

 

 

 

The band, renamed Caboose, split up in 1972.

 

 

The Chicks

 

In 2020, The Chicks were inducted into the NZ Hall Of Fame. An excerpt of the speech that preceded their induction follows:

 

“Instantly recognisable with their matching outfits, trendy haircuts and up-tempo, harmony rich pop singles, Judy and Sue Donaldson rose to become some of NZ’s biggest stars as The Chicks.

 

For a whirlwind five-year period from 1965 they were seldom off the TV screens or radio airwaves.

 

Although born in Wellington, the sisters moved with their family to Auckland where one of their neighbours happened to be Kevin Borich of the La De Das. But it was another neighbour, Peter Posa – ‘New Zealand’s greatest guitar player’ – who provided the sisters with their break when Viking Records boss Ross Dalton paid a visit.

 

Posa acquiesced to give the sisters an autograph in return for a song. Blown away by their natural harmonies, the sisters (Sue, 15 & Judy, 13) were offered a deal by Viking and two weeks later they were in the studio recording ‘The Hucklebuck’, which was released in June 1965. The song was an instant success and by the time they turned 16 and 14 respectively, Sue and Judy found themselves as finalists for Single Of The Year.

 

The remainder of 1965 saw the release of a further 4 singles, 3EP’s and 2 albums, all while Sue & Judy were still at school.

 

The arrival of music television show ‘C’mon’ in 1967 was perfectly suited to The Chicks’ visual appeal and spectacular outfits. Weekly appearances and subsequent C’mon national tours ensured The Chicks became a household name in NZ.”

 

In early 1970, The Chicks performed at ‘Redwood 70’.

 

Later that year, aged 20 and 18, Sue and Judy decided to call it a day on ‘The Chicks’, but not before one final album – A Long Time Comin – which includes a cover of Dylan’s ‘The Mighty Quinn’ – a cover that is admirably unique with its quasi-religious ‘hallelujah’ vibe.

 

 

 

 

 

After going separate ways, Sue changed her stage name to ‘Suzanne’ and recorded numerous solo albums, including 1971’s Walk A Little Closer, which includes a cover of Dylan’s ‘If Not For You’. Suzanne married jazz bassist Bruce Lynch – and both of them worked on Cat Stevens’ albums between 1974 (Buddha and The Chocolate Box) and 1978 (Back To Earth). Next time you hear ‘Oh Very Young’ and that haunting female background vocal, know that it is Suzanne’s voice.

 

Auth comment: On 25 June 2020, the American band formerly known as ‘the Dixie Chicks’ changed their name to The Chicks, dropping the word ‘Dixie’. The band received Sue and Judy’s blessings to share the name.

 

 

Brendan Dugan

 

Fresh-faced Brendan Dugan won ‘Studio One – New Faces’ as a 16 year in 1968 and became an overnight NZ star. Within a year he moved from Christchurch to the big smoke of Auckland.

 

It was written that ‘some voices have that intangible quality that makes them instantly recognisable. The velvety rich baritone of Brendan Dugan is one such voice’ – and this is no more evident than on Brendan’s third  studio album, released in 1971 – A Touch Of Nashville and his cover of Dylan’s ‘One More Night’. The actual song, which is well worth a listen, begins after 40 secs of incidental music.

 

 

 

 

Brendan has spent over 50 years as an entertainer on stage and TV and an ambassador for the NZ music industry. In October 2018, Brendan received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand – the highest honour for a ‘variety entertainer’ in NZ.

 

 

The La De Da’s

 

Formed in the early 60s in Auckland, The La De Da’s were known for their RnB styled raucous performances. Their debut 1966 self-titled album is regarded as a garage rock classic and is hard to find.

 

Key members of the band were: Kevin Borich (guitar, vocals), Phil Key (guitar, vocals), Trevor Wilson (bass), Keith Barber (drums) and Bruce Howard (keyboards).

 

From 1967 onwards, the band were frequent visitors to Australia, including recording the rock-opera concept album The Happy Prince at Sydney’s EMI studios in January 1969.

 

From 1970, the La De Da’s were regular performers on the emerging festival scene in Australia & NZ – often headlining with major Australian bands, such as ‘Chain’, ‘Daddy Cool’ and ‘Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs’. Major Aussie festivals included Wallacia (January 1971); 3XY Rosebud (Boxing Day 1971); Sunbury (1972).

 

It was during 1971 that the La De Da’s were invited to perform live on the ABC TV program GTK. The band did two songs – Kevin Borich’s recently written ‘Gonna See My Baby To-night’; and a very commendable cover of Dylan’s ‘All Along The Watchtower’ with Phil Key providing vocals and Kevin Borich on lead guitar.

 

 

 

 

A studio version of the ‘All Along The Watchtower’ was recorded in 1974 (Kevin Borich on vocals) and this was included on the band’s 1975 compilation album Legend.

 

 

Hamilton County Bluegrass Band

 

As the name suggests, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band was formed in Hamilton in 1966. While performing at folk festivals and local music venues, they were invited to appear as regulars on the NZBC TV ‘The Country Touch’ show. The show, that ran from 1968 – 1970, was a widely popular country and western music show, filmed on an Auckland hay barn set.

 

In 1970, the band performed at ‘Redwood 70’.

 

The band were subsequently convinced to relocate to Australia and regularly toured with the iconic Slim Dusty. While on Aussie shores, the band recorded two albums – the 1971 For You and the 1972 Kersbrook Cottage – with the band performing the title track live on ABC TV program GTK on 20 July 1972. It is from the Kersbrook Cottage album that their cover of Dylan’s ‘You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’ can be found:

 

 

 

 

In 1974 the band decided it was time to slow down and move back to NZ. On return, they recorded the Country Road album which includes a cover of Dylan’s ‘Walkin’ Down The Line’.

 

 

Bill & Boyd

 

Bill and Boyd were a pop music duo from 1959 to 1989 consisting of William ‘Bill’ Cate (10 October 1940 – 29 November 2020) and William ‘Boyd’ Robertson (born 1941) – both on lead vocals and lead guitar. They began their careers in Wellington before relocating to Sydney by 1964.

 

Through the rest of the 1960s they released further singles, EP’s and a couple of albums, gained popularity, toured the club circuit and regularly appeared on national TV show, Bandstand.

 

Then on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin. Bill wrote ‘Santa Never Made It Into Darwin’, which was recorded and released as a charity single in January 1975. The success of the single (peaking at no.2 on the Aussie single charts and selling 50,000 copies in eight weeks) led to the duo releasing their first album in eight years – simply titled Bill & Boyd. The album peaked at no.1 on the NZ charts but only managed a modest no.83 on the Aussie album charts. The album did, nonetheless, include a cover of Dylan’s ‘I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight’.

 

 

 

 

 

A word or two about ‘Redwood 70’.

 

Following the ‘success’ of the August 1969 outdoor rock festivals at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight, it seemed that the Down Under nations also wanted a piece of the action.

 

Australia put together the ‘Pilgrimage For Pop’ festival at Ourimbah over the 24-25 January 1970 Australia Day long weekend. Major artists included: Doug Parkinson, Max Merritt, Chain, Tamam Shud, Billy Thorpe, Jeff St. John & Wendy Saddington. An estimated 11,000 festival goers attended the event.

 

New Zealand put together the ‘Redwood 70’ festival at Auckland over the 31 January – 1 February 1970 Auckland Anniversary weekend. In addition to the three artists mentioned in this article (i.e. The Tongues, The Chicks, and Hamilton County Bluegrass Band), other high profile NZ artists included: Ray Columbus, Larry Morris, and The Rumour. An estimated 10,000 festival goers attended the event.

 

The headline act was Robin Gibb, who was pursuing a brief solo career away from his fellow Bee Gees. Robin’s performance on the first night of the festival was mired by an unruly crowd, who threw cans, bottles and tomatoes at Gibb and his 17-piece orchestra. Many people attempted to climb onto the stage. As Gibb continued to perform, most his backing band gradually left, concerned for their safety and the safety of their instruments, and the set was finished early.

 

 

 

More from Karl Dubravs can be read Here.

 

 

 

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