Larry Morris: Independent Music Professional
April 9, 2011 by Gail
Filed under 5 KURIOUS Kiwi Questions
New Zealand music will always be indebted to Larry’s mother for speaking to Johnny Watson who arranged an audition with Auckland Agent Benny Levin who thought he ‘was nothing special’ but who the backing band thought was great! Who were these band of men? Well, back in the ’60’s they were called ‘The Rebels’.
ABOUT Larry Morris
Larry Morris is among a handful of people that I’d respectfully call a veteran entertainer and music professional of the New Zealand music industry. A former New Zealand Prime Minister once called him a ‘New Zealand Rock icon’. He’s that and so much more.
An on-the-fly bio back to 1962, saw a couple of school mates: John Williams, Dennis Stott and Harry Leki form a band called ‘The Young Ones’.
Harry Leki left the group and among the line-up comings and goings was my ‘over the back fence chin-wagging mate’ bass guitarist, John ‘Yuk’ Harrison. After some auditioning, the group came to the attention of Max Merritt. It was Max who got them a gig.
Kingsway Booking Agency owner Paul King heard them, and was impressed enough to become their manager. It was King who changed their name to the Rebels and added a vocalist named Larry Morris Sturdy aka Larry Morris, to the line-up. The group became known as ‘Larry’s Rebels’. The rest, as they say is New Zealand music history.
5 KURIOUS KIWI QUESTIONS
Do you have interesting friends? I do. I’m a kurious kiwi, so in this LifeStyle section I ask them 5 Question. Their responses are sometimes startling yet always thought evoking. I ask each of them a common question relating to a Cause they believe in and why it matters to them. Read on to share in their take on what they think really does matter.
You’ve been part of the New Zealand musicscape for a long time. What do you believe has given your music career its longevity?
Staying in the music business for 45 years and succeeding in NZ for that time has worked for one reason. The equal amount of time I have spent away from home working in the other major music capitals of the world: Los Angeles, London, Nashville, New York. I am now home again and loving it.
You have Industry friendships of many years standing. What’s the glue that sustains those friendships?
Having the fortune to work with excellent, responsible & ethical Kiwi music people. Gray Bartlett for example. Toured with him in 1966 and he toured me and others with ‘The Best of the Best Tour 2009’. A 43 year friendship built on trust & loyalty. Never fails you that ethic.
Tell me about a Cause that’s closest to your heart
The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. I am the Clubs Web Master & Vice President. We foster aspiring talent and do a lot of good for the community. Our Benevolent Fund is used to assist our older members if times are tough. We hope to raise significant funds for the Earthquake Appeal which all our membership has contributed to.
In the devastating wake of Canterbury’s earthquake, what’s your personal message to your fellow New Zealanders?
We Kiwi men, women and children must do all we can to support our Cantabrian brothers & sisters in whatever way we have the ability to do so. At times like that we are all New Zealanders and we must stand strong with our fellow citizens.
Finish the sentence — “Among the most precious things I’ve realised lately is … “
What a wonderful life I have had as a New Zealander. Living my life has taught me so much.
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