“HEY BOY WHERE YOU GONE”

Mana (Auckland), Volume 2, Issue 4, 18 May 1978, Page 8

“HEY BOY WHERE YOU GONE”

Charlie (Boy) Tumahai Bass Player with the “BE BOP DELUXE” FROM THE SHORES OF THE WAITEMATA IN ORAKEI, CHARLIE HAS COME FROM A MUSICAL BACKGROUND SECOND TO NONE. If you ever read the book "Hey Boy", you will know what it’s all about. Charlie, along with his family and other relations from Orakei, (otherwise known as Boot Hill) were the stars, in the book. Now he is a star, in his own right, in the competitive rock scene in the United Kingdom. Although, because of the distance, we could not get a personal interview, so we spent the whole afternoon with his family to whom he often writes. "BE BOP DELUXE” plays Ultra heavy rock and roll, using some fancy electronic equipment, that I dare not guess. They come up with some nice, and yet strong, sounds with vocals that are fitting to their style. Since Charlie has been with this group he seems to have reached his, nest in his profession. For sometime he had trouble trying to stay in England, due to the working permit he Couldn’t gd.

He had to stay in France. He has since found a way of residing in the United Kingdom again, reason for not staying in the United Kingdom could be the notoriously high taxation that entertainers have to pay there. In the four years Charlie has been there with the "BE BOP DELUXE" they have bought out four albums, progressing all the time. The quality that comes from the studios I’m sure is the same at the concert.

Charlie's experience goes back a few years to a group called “Colombia”. There were guys like Bill Heramaia, Bill Pation and Sei Nash whom we believe are in the U.K. at the moment. During these early years Charlie travelled around New Zealand and did a lot of tours around the islands which he seems to have enjoyed a lot. With all that, the writing was on the wall, that Charlie had to go overseas to Australia and try his luck, and lucky he got. Charlie joined a group "Healing Force” which bought out a hit called "Golden Miles" a great number as it had everything going, harmonies, vocals and the music of the professionals that Charlie moved on to another group "Mississippi" who are now called “The Little River Band” and the only one missing out of that group is our Charlie who has moved on. Australia became a base for Charlie now that he was busy with so much work coming his way. As the war in Vietnam dragged on, Charlie did a tour of concerts there. Some of the places that he went into up there were pretty bad combat areas and one of their supporting acts, a female was shot and wounded.

You can imagine how the rest of the troop felt about all that, but as it was Charlie got out in one piece to move on to better things.

Now that Charlie is in England, he seems to have settled down to a full musical career that is keeping him busy. BE BOP DELUXE has a full concert schedule ahead of them this year, they have just completed a British tour. From there, the band go to America for another tour, releasing around that time an EP with several new tracks. The last time they toured America. BE BOP DELUXE was supporting act to “Electric Light Orchestra”. After they have completed their American tour they will return to the U.K. to finish another album.

When they have done that, they will be off to a tour of Europe for a couple of months then they will return to the U.K. FOR MORE RECORDING WORK SO AS YOU CAN SEE BE BOP DELUXE will be very busy this year. Charlie’s brother Tamaki, tells me that BE BOP DELUXE are very close knit group, they have looked after Charlie very well. Being away from one’s family for a long time can be a strain but Charlie has looked after himself, only last year he got married to a New Zealand girl in England. So to both of you Charlie, Mana wishes you the best. BE BOP DELUXE have made their mark in the Rock scene of the world, and I’m sure they will go on to do more. If there is a chance that they may come over our way for a tour. I’m sure Charlie could arrange it. But if you ever get tired Charlie we would love to have you back home with all the knowledge you've got. You could hand it on to others. Mana wishes: you Charlie and your group all the best fo the future.