Letters

Rip It Up, Issue 249, 1 May 1998, Page 6

Letters

Support The Supports Dear Sir, Re Thanks For Your Support (April RID), specifically Pearl Jam’s recent New Zealand concerts. I read this article with much interest and barely controlled fury! Who do these promoters think they are, exhibiting such arrogance to the Musicians’ Union, providing fifth rate imported support bands, and claiming they can’t afford a decent kiwi band? I’m especially critical of lan Magan of Pacific Entertainment and his behaviour prior to the Pearl Jam tour. He should have confronted the band’s management and insisted on a local support band. He could count on the Musicians’ Union, and if necessary, the Immigration Department, to back him up. I recall Frontier Touring had no problem at Pearl Jam’s March 1995 Auckland gigs — Dead Flowers played in support both nights. There is much public goodwill towards Pearl Jam. They are a great band and no fan would like to see future tours cancelled. Finally, thanks RipltDp for raising the local support issue. It’s clear that both the ‘credits system’ and ‘gentleman’s agreement’ are currently ineffectual. I would support the idea of a legally enforceable contract, and the penalty of banning a band from the country if no local support is used. J. Niohols, Hamilton.

Praise Be I felt moved to drop my first ever line to RipltUp after reading the latest edition. In particular, I was

impressed by an intelligent and informative article written by John Russell about the use of local support bands. A meritorious effort on an interesting subject. This must be as close to an editorial as you have come, a good step indeed. Also by John Russell, his story on the Dirty Three. In Christchurch they got a similarly drunk audience, however, after a couple of songs they had won the audience (seemingly almost entirely uninitiated) over. They played so well that the main act Yo La Tengo was sadly upstaged. That’s just my thoughts anyhow, the Dirty Three are certainly a band on top of their form. Aidan Crean (via e-mail)

If You Knew Suzy...

During mid January, Suzanne Lynch, along with Ray Columbus, performed two very well received outdoor concerts to audiences of around 6,000, as part of Timaru’s annual Caroline Bay Association Carnival. Suzanne is one of this country’s best ever female pop artists and is still singing as strongly as ever. As a longtime Suzanne fan, I have felt disappointed that while many other

kiwi hitmakers of the 1960 s and 1970 s have had ‘Best Of’ compilation CDs released, neither the Chicks or Suzanne’s solo hits of the 70s are available on this format. Tracks that fans like myself would welcome on one album include ‘Heart of Stone’, ‘Hucklebuck’, ‘Sunshine Through a Prism’ etc.

Incidentally, a new single or album and an update interview in RipltUp would be welcome too! G.K. Scarf, Timaru.

Desperately Seeking Lea

Dear Editor, Please can someone out there help me! I’m looking for a recording by a New Zealand female solo artist — Lea Malfred is the lady’s name, I think? The song is called‘Lavender Mountain’. This beautiful and talented lady opened a concert at the Auckland Town Hall for an international group 16 years ago. If anyone can help, please write to 7/15 Heremai Street, Henderson, Auckland. Pretty please, I’m trying to impress a girl. G.B. Libeau, Auckland.

Write to RipltUp at PO Box 5689, Auckland 1, or fax (09) 358 3884, or e mail ripitupoolear.net.nz