Dragon & Hello Sailor

  • Friday 4 November 2011

This rip roaring double-header will represent 38 years as a band for Dragon and 36 years for Hello Sailor which are remarkable feats in anyone’s language.

Dragon’s career began in 1973 in Auckland. They have a string of hits as long as your arm and have been a constant name on the tour sheets in Australasia. Founder bassist Todd Hunter has seen a number of lineup changes over the years but the sprit of Dragon remains strong and evident with their onstage delivery.

Dragon has released 9 albums in New Zealand and produced unforgettable NZ top 40 hit songs including ‘April Sun In Cuba’, ‘Are You Old Enough’, ‘Still In Love’, ‘Dreams Of Ordinary Men’, ‘Western Girls’, ‘Young Years’ and ‘Rain’.

Dragon will be inducted into the NZ Music Hall of Fame and presented with the New Zealand Herald Legacy Award at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards, at Vector Arena, on the night prior to the show.

Hello Sailor were inducted into the NZ Music Hall Of Fame at the 2011 APRA Silver Scrolls. Hello Sailor need no introduction to New Zealand and it is said that there are drops of Hello Sailor sweat on every concert stage across New Zealand. Who would argue?

Hello Sailor have released 6 albums in New Zealand producing 7 charting singles including ‘Gutter Black’, ‘Blue Lady’ and ‘Lyin' In The Sand’.

Whatever way you look at it, this show is special, as these two bands have not played together for at least 20 years. Apparently somewhere in Hamilton in the 80s that none of us can clearly remember (perhaps no surprise).

Ticket (Trevor Tombleson Vocals, Eddie Hanson Guitar, Paul Woolright Bass and Ricky Ball Drums) recently reformed playing sellouts in Auckland and Christchurch.

The band formed in early 1970, bringing together four of the country’s most respected musicians who sought to push boundaries. In performance, songs could stretch to 20-plus minutes in length, with virtuoso soloing from all members of the group.

Ticket’s reputation for fiery live performances made them a major draw at clubs, campuses and concerts all over New Zealand. They preceded Elton John at Western Springs, Black Sabbath at the Great Ngaruawahia Music Festival, headlined several local festivals and shared stages with Jerry Lee Lewis and Daddy Cool.

Somehow the Powerstation seems a fitting venue for this nostalgic double header and with Ticket you really do not want to miss this one — oh and bring your kids if they are old enough, the concert is R18, they might learn something!