Maori Entertainers May Be First To Antarctic

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 4

Maori Entertainers May Be First To Antarctic

“My Old Man’s An All Black” may not sell many copies :n South Africa; but this recording by a group of young Maoris poking fun at the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision is well on the way to creating a record for sales of a New Zealand recording. and later this year it may be in the repertoire of the first live show to be held in the Antarctic.

The Howard Morrison Quartet did not need “My Old Man’s An All Black” to establish their popularity, for- their success had been assured by the time it was produced, but it has spread their name much further than the “pops” numbers which have taken them from a Maori concert party and talent quest winners through Auckland restaurant shows, Sydney and Melbourne night clubs, and New Zealand stage performances, for which enthusiasts have waited in night-long queues and paid black market prices for tickets which have equalled those paid for big Rugby matches. Negotiations are continuing for more overseas tours by the group, but the, Antarctic visit is the one looked forward to most by Mr Morrison. Talks are being 'held in Washington to see if the wish df the United States can Be met that the Maoris' should fly to McMurdo Sound after this year’s thaw, .. : “Wezatarted three years agq as an ‘anti-social group’.”, said Mr Morroson when with, his three companions he arrived in .Christchurch to feature in “Showtime Spectacular.” “We entered a talent quest in Rotorua, won it, did three or four small parts in Auckland shows and suddenly found We Were top billing.” : From that was an easy road to Australian successes and New Zealand recordings, but it was only when “My Old Man’s An All Black” came on to a record that the Morrison Quartet found they were well on the way to establishing a New Zealand entertainment record. A fortnight ago 45,000 copies of the record had been bought. Only another 3000 have tp be sold to top the previous best for- the country. It all started with Jerry Merito, the 23-year-old guitarist of the group. “He gave us the

nucleus,” said Mr Morrison, whose father was in fact a 1931 Maori All ■ Black. The boys tossed ideas Backwards arid forwards and emerged with the New Zealand hit parade song. Still Rugby Follower

But Howard Morrison remains' a keen Rugby football enthusiast in spite of his disappointment at the exclusion of Maoris from the team, a. disappointment echoed by him, when the,All Blacks lost the firsttest in South Africa last Saturday. The 24-year-old Morrison, who is a tenor, has two others of the original: gugrtet, with; him still — Jerry. Merito and Wi Wbarekura, aged 21, a baritone—and the “baby” of the party, Noel King, who is a bass at the age of 17, joined the group to replace Mr Morrison’s brother who left the stage to continue his Work as an engineering assistant in the Ministry of Works. Maori concert parties provided the basis .for, the team, but gave them a handicap originally. “Maori concert work is strenuous and exuberant,” he explained, “and it took me two years to get my voice right for sold singing." 'First Regard “Pop” numbers make’ up ' the' quartet's’ performances now. although for old-time’s sake they sing “There’s a Gold Mine in the Sky,” in Maori, which was their first record and sold 15.000 copies, In Australia they had to lay the foundations for their performances with Maori songs, but then the audiences were “wide open” for the Maoris’ interpretations of popular songs. ! Mr Morrison prefers stage work to night club entertaining. “When you’ve got a show it means that they come to see and hear you, not just to eat and drink and see you as an extra;” he said. The Morrison Quartet’s audiences sire now of all age groups. “People have found that we’re not just another rock ’n’ roll group.” he .said. That is one reason why the boys have to keep on their mettle to produce new gags and jokes, keeping such things as “My Old Man’s An All Black" up to date with the tour, i .