A three-part series, broadcast on National Radio during Easter 2005: 3pm - 4pm 25 March (Good Friday), 27 March (Easter Day), and March 28 (Easter Monday). Produced and presented by Piripi Walker.
[The first part is missing - failed to record.]
Part 2: Millions of Hours of Happiness
Tēnā koutou katoa e noho mai nā i ō koutou kāinga maha, i ngā pari kārangaranga o te motu. I'm Piripi Walker, and in this series of programmes we hear the songs and voices from some of the Maori show bands that played to audiences around the world from the 1950s on.
Some of the show bands members got together recently for the launch of a show bands website at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum. I talked to them about their careers, the bands, and their reflections on their travels. These Māori musicians and singers lived much of their lives away from New Zealand. Many are now retired and living overseas.
But it all started with the groundwork in Aotearoa. Hiria Moffat of Ngai Tahu, originally from Timaru, remembers the fun of being young and away from home, while touring with a band called the Three Deuces.
Next came Australia, and for most, their first OE. Rim D Paul of Te Arawa remembers the Hi Fives Mambo trading in their residency at the Trades Hall in Wellington, for the lights of Surfers Paradise.
I talked to Solomon Pohatu of Ngati Porou, another protégé of the talent spotters, about his training, and his teachers.
The showbands settled across the Eastern seaboard of Australia leading the Maori migration to that country. Hiria Moffat again.
The Maori Quin Tikis there, with Cuanto Calienta el sol, Love me with all your heart. The bands bumped into other entertainers making their way in Australia and got along pretty well with all those Aussies.
Then there was Vietnam. The bands were sought after by the American entertainment managers.
Solomon Pohatu found Hawaii on his travels with the Maori Hi Fives and Frankie Stevens, and stayed on for 20 years.
After success in Australia the yellow brick beckoned, not to the land of Oz, but to El Dorado, Las Vegas, and the glamorous clubs and vast crowds of the United States.
Billy T James was another Volcanics Band member. Here's a routine featuring his 'impressions' Live at 'Pips' in Whangarei, recorded in 1985.
With so many Maori showbands bands in existence in those years, I asked Rim D Paul whether there was any rivalry between them.
After his years on the road Rim D Paul also settled back into life in New Zealand. He was instrumental in starting the National Maori Choir in 1989, a task that wove together Maori performers with different ideas and backgrounds. The years of musical training and principles mastered in the showbands came to the fore.
Billy Peters of the Maori Volcanics is emphatic.The Maori showbands were a positive experience - talent blossomed, fascinating careers opened up to those who took the path. He's delighted with the online exhibition on the bands which Te Papa has created.
Mahora Peters of the Maori Volcanics has dedicated some of her recent efforts to remembering her showband mates. She's written a book called Showband.
Music details
'That's Life" (Kay/Gordon) Rim D Paul Live at the Gluepot Tangata Tang CD 507
'Love Me With all Your Heart' (C & M Rigual-M.Vaughan) The Quin Tikis, Make Friends with the Quin Tikis Sunshine QL-32284
'First of May" (B, R & M Gibb) The Bee Gees Best of Bee Gees Vol 1 Polydor 831594-2
Panini pua kea, (John Kamealoha Almeida) The Pahinui Bros, Private music 82098
'Moten Swing (live)' Count Basie Jazz Masters EMI 855144,
'Impressions" Billy T James, Billy T Live at 'Pips' Pagan 498 501
'E Ipo" (Tui Teka) Prince Tui Teka, The Greatest BMG 74321 94246
E Ihowa Atua (T.Bracken & J.J. Woods) The National Maori Choir I Stand Tall - Ka tu au, WEA 9031-72870
Those were the Days (Mahora Peters), Mahora and Billy Peters, Mahora and Billy, Aotearoa 2004, Pita Productions Pty Ltd Sydney 2004 (UNRELEASED)
Part 3: I May Sail on Many a Sea
This programme features highlights of a panel discussion and concert, in front of live audiences, chaired by Frankie Stevens. It was recorded in Wellington in December 2004 at the launch of the Te Papa Tongarewa Māori showbands online exhibition. Featured speakers are Rim D Paul, Hiria Moffat, Mahora Peters, Billy Peters and Solomon Pohatu. Sound recording by: Stu Clarke. The programme is edited, produced and presented by Piripi Walker. Thanks to Te Papa Tongarewa.
Tēnā koutou katoa e noho mai nā i ō koutou kāinga maha, i ngā pari kārangaranga o te motu. I'm Piripi Walker, and in the third and final of this series of programmes we'll hear highlights of a panel discussion and concert from a gathering of Māori showbands members, in front of live audiences. The discussion is chaired by Frankie Stevens, himself a member of various showbands and a well known solo performer. These events were recorded in Wellington in December 2004
We'll take time out during the panel discussion to hear some of the songs from an evening concert held at Te Papa on the same night.
Rim D Paul there with a rendition of Ka tu au. You're listening to highlights of a panel discussion featuring Māori showbands members, recorded in front of a live audience in Wellington. The discussion is chaired by Frankie Stevens. This panel discussion and concert were recorded in Wellington at Te Papa, in December 2004.
Music details
'He Puru taitama' (Trad) Epi Shalfoon and the Melody Boys (Te Papa sourced recording)
'Guitar Boogie' (Arthur Smith) Billy Peters and Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'Morning Dew' (DOBSON/ROSE) Billy and Mahora Peters and Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'Ka ta au, I stand tall' (Rim D Paul) Rim D Paul, Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'My Way (ANKA/FRANCOIS/REAUX) Rim D Paul, Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'When the Saints go Marching In' (Trad) The Maori Volcanics and Te Papa Concert group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'Angel Smile' (composer unknown) Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'Cab Driver' (The Mills Brothers) Hi Fives Te Papa Concert Group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'With Every Beat of Your Heart' (composer unknown) The Te Papa Concert group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
'Island in the Sun' (Harry Belafonte and Lord Burgess) The Te Papa Concert group, Te Papa Recording, Unreleased
All recordings used with permission.