The best is yet to come

Press, 7 December 1978, Page 19

The best is yet to come

Entertainment scene

By

NEVIN TOPP

Larry Morris did not choose the song, but his latest single, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” indicates how he feels about his life at present. Larry’s life has had more than its fair share of ups and downr, and while he is optimistic about the future he temprs it with realism.

“This is my last big lash at the market. If I don’t make it in the next five years then it is too late,” he said. Many of the crowd at David Bowie’s concert would not have realised that Larry Morris has New Zealand rock ‘n’ roll history written all over him.

Larry's Rebels emerged on October 12. 1965, and the band quickly gained a national following that lasted until an agreeable split on December 26, 1970. During that period they had many' hits, and also toured with the likes of Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, The Yardbirds, Eric Burdon and The Animals, and The Easybeats. Larry had a six-month lay-off in 1972 and then began to pursue a solo career, but before it was

fully off the ground he was found guilty on drug charges and sent to prison.

“I was bitter when I came out of prison,” he said, and he made a record which reflected that bitterness. However, while it contained things he really wanted to say, it was never a success.

"People don’t want to be brought down — they want to get off,” he said. “I have lost that bitterness now and forgotten my past errors. I feel that it is all happening for me now.”

Larry- is confident that the new single, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” will be a Top 40 hit.

He said that an artist’s ego often got confused by what he considered to be good musically. Often this was not the case, and his recording experiences immediately after prison proved that point.

The best of both worlds is a good commercial and musically satisfying sound, which is why' he is quite happy to record someone else’s song.

Plans are also in hand for a new album, due for release next May, which will include four original songs.