Rock in the Town Hall

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 5

Rock in the Town Hall

A rock concert, entitled “Rock ’n Stuff,” is part of the Christchurch Town Hall’s opening week programme, and will be held on Tuesday evening.

The Town Hall committee had committed itself to the young people of Christchurch with the Joe Cocker concert, scheduled to be held on October 3.

However, the surprise cancellation of the concert left a gap in the committee’s programme. The “Rock ’n Stuff” concert has been designed to present a selection of the best rock artists in New Zealand today. The Chapta, Ticket, Lutha, Tamburlaine, Butler and Claudy will appear in the' show.

The Chapta are the only South Island artists in the Golden Disc finals this year. It will have the distinction of being the first pop group to play in the Town Hall, as it will open the three and a half hour show. Ticket made its name in Christchurch, but the group is now based in Auckland where it is resident at a newly opened club. This will be perhaps the last opportunity Christchurch fans will have of seeing Ticket. The group is scheduled to re-visit Australia later this year. Lutha, from Dunedin, has made quite an impact on the entertainment scene over the last 12 months. The group, which has had three singles and one album already released, is due to tour the North Island later this year. The group’s music ranges from the heavy, driving type, to acoustic folk-rock. The music appeals to all age groups. The Wellington group, Tamburlaine, has also proved very successful over recent months.

Another soloist who could combine with a group to make an album is Stevie Wonder. He appeared with the Rolling Stones on their recent record breaking tour of the United States/Canada, and it is hoped an album featuring both the Stones and Wonder could be out by Christmas.

The group’s music often resembles the close harmony associated with groups such as Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Tamburlaine has now broadened its musical scope. It used to use two acoustic guitars, one bass guitar, and three voices. An acoustic guitar is still used, but an electric lead guitar and drums have been added.

At present, Butler and Claudy are among the most popular groups in Christchurch. Butler has been in existence for more than a year, while Claudy, in its present form, is relatively new.

Both groups play a distinctive style of rock. Although neither has so far achieved the popularity of the Chapta or Ticket, time could see either of them on the national scene.