Oh, what a night! (late October 1961)

Oct. 1961 NZ Tour programme cover
(Scroll down for pic of cast.)

SHANE HALES: "I went to see Cliff and the Shads on their first visit to Oz  and, after the concert, my mates and I hung around at the hotel, hoping to meet the Shadows, and I got to meet them all except Hank and Cliff Richard. So, at around 3.00 am, I went off to sleep in Hyde Park (Sydney) on a bench; even got a newspaper to keep me warm. Luckily, the weather was fine and, in the morning, I went back to the hotel where I waited until around noon. It was worth the wait. Out came Bruce Welch, then Brian Bennett, Hank Marvin and Jet Harris. I got their autographs and had photos taken with them. To top it off, out comes Cliff, saying: “Where can I get a cup of tea?” I took them down the road and they all thanked me. I was on cloud nine, and went home where dear old Dad was waiting, spitting tacks because I hadn’t come home all night." 

 
GRAHAM GIBSON: "I was in a young Auckland band called 'The Versatones' (fronted by Roger Skinner) and we had recently gone "full-on Shadows". It was around Labour Weekend 1961 and the four of us had scrimped and saved for tickets to the Auckland Town Hall concert on Tuesday, October 24. After a few support acts, mainly out of Australia but also including Auckland's own 'Keil Isles', "SHAZAMMM!!!"...and there were our heroes, surprising everyone with a Duane Eddy opener. After the break, they were joined by Cliff and a rockin' good night was had by all. We hung around after the venue emptied and, suddenly, this slim bloke with fair hair wandered out from backstage and asked for directions to "the loo". So, we kinda met Jet Harris. Then, we emerged onto Queen St, in our suits and ties, and a bunch of girls rushed up and asked us to autograph their programmes. We didn't point out their mistake, but signed our own names. Felt guilty later about what must have been a huge let-down for those fans."  

The tour party for the NZ leg. (Rear L-R)  Doug and Leo deKroo, Andy Ellis, Brian Henderson, Lou Miller, Bruce Welch, Brian Bennett, Judy Cannon, Frankie Davidson (Centre L-R)  Herma Keil, Cliff Richard, Jet Harris
(Front L-R)  Olaf Keil, Bill Fairs, Hank B. Marvin, Klaus Keil

 

Congratulations to 'Che Orton Band' - 2013 VAC 'Benny Award' winners!

 

 At last night's Variety Artists Club 'Benny Awards' dinner-show, the Benny for "2013 Group of the Year" went to the Che Orton Band. As surprised-to-be-nominated co-finalists (along with Halo), the members of The Shadz would like to congratulate Che and his bandmates on taking out this prestigious accolade. Richly deserved!

Congrats too, to jazz/session drumming legend Frank Gibson Jnr on receiving a VAC Scroll of Honour, and to all the other Benny winners.

       

We shook the "Chev" - now, let's "Rock the Hithe"

 

SUNDAY 10 NOV. The Lions Club of Greenhithe, with members of the local community and Hospice North Shore, are once again putting on a Blues & Rock ‘n’ Roll event at the Greenhithe School.

The inaugural event, in November 2012,  was the dreamchild of Hospice patient Chrissie Wykes, who wanted to give back to Hospice North Shore before she died. Daughter Shireen Garrett, friends, Greenhithe Lions and Hospice staged a fantastic event, with a great lineup of singers/bands contributing. Because it was such fun, the organisers have been asked to repeat the event and many of the artists are thrilled to return. Chrissie Wykes recently passed away and this year’s Rock the Hithe will be in her memory.

Shane & The Shadz are on the bill. So are our good buddies Karen Davy, Ken Strong.and the "Dreams" Band with their stunning Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show. And Shadz members G. Betti (Garry) and G. Gibson (Graham) will join Motivation bassman G. Judd (Graham) to back Roger Skinner, as Roger & the ThreeGees. (You should be dancing, yeah?)

Gigabout

(All gigs featuring Shane & The Shadz)

 

2013

• Nov. 10 - "Rock The Hithe" North Shore Hospice Fundraiser, Greenhithe Primary School
• Nov. 15 - Silverdale RSA, Viponds Rd, Stanmore Bay
  
• Nov. 17 - Dairy Flat Music Club (Fundraiser) Dairy Flat Hall
• Dec. 15 - Entertainers Club, Tauranga
• Dec. 21 - "Shane & Shadz Christmas Party", New Lynn RSA

2014

• Jan. 5 - Matakohe Music & Arts Festival, Matakohe
• Jan. 11 - Whangamata Club, Whangamata
• Feb. 8 - Soundgarden, KohuKohu, Hokianga Harbour..(TBC)
• Feb. 22 - Matakana Gig, Matakana.