Hogsnort Rupert
Hogsnort Rupert are a New Zealand band. Originally formed in 1968 as Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band, they shortened their name with their second album in 1970. They are known for their light, humorous brand of music which produced several charting singles, including the number one hit Pretty Girl which also became the biggest selling single in New Zealand for 1970.
The two consistent band members had been; Alec Wishart (lead vocals, percussion) and Dave Luther (vocals, guitar, harmonica). Luther was also the composer of all their hit singles.
During their 'Original Flagon Band' period the other band members were; Ian Terry (vocals, guitar), Frank Boardman (bass) whose idea the band was, and Billy Such (drums).[1] However, those three left the band in 1970 and 'Hogsnort Rupert' then became a trio with a new member John Reilly (vocals, guitar). Reilly departed the band prior to the recording of their third album, which was recorded as a duo by mainstay members Wishart and Luther. During subsequent years and varying incarnations of the band, other 'Hogsnort Rupert' members have included; John Newton, Graham Brown, Neil Worboys, Kevin Findlater, Bernie Reber, Dean Ruscoe, and Graeme Luther. The band's manager in the early days was John MacGee.
Dave Luther subsequently became the founding member of the New Zealand band Dave and the Dynamos who had a number one hit in 1983 with "Life Begins at Forty". Luther was the 'Dave' in the band's name, and 'The Dynamos' were Kevin Findlater (bass) and Bernie Reber (drums).
Hogsnort Rupert is still a band today and are one of the longest running bands in New Zealand music history.
In November 2010, the band celebrated their 40th anniversary, with a pair of live concerts held in Napier.[2]
Frank Boardman, the man credited with the idea for the band, died in Sussex, England, on 6 October 2015.[3]
Frontman and founding member, Alec Wishart, died on 22 January 2016 at the age of 76 from lung cancer.[4]
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Label | Catalog # |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | All Our Own Work! Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | CSDM 6306 |
| 1970 | Have A Hogsnort Rupert Summer Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | HSDM 1004 |
| 1971 | Ways of Making You Laugh | HMV | HSDM 1016 |
| 1974 | A Portrait of Hogsnort Rupert Compilation Album | Axis | 2004 |
| 1982 | It's Hogsnort Rupert | Mardi Gras | MG 1 |
| 1985 | Something Old, Something New Compilation Album featuring 5 tracks by Hogsnort Rupert | EMI | 4711092 |
| 1999 | Hypnotic | Crocodile | CRO CD 291044 |
| 2001 | The Very Best of Hogsnort Rupert Compilation Album | EMI | 5344602 |
| 2006 | A Tribute To The Good Times | Spitfire | SPCD-22004 |
| 2010 | A Touch of Hoggers (Celebrating 40 Years of Recording with Hogsnort Rupert) Compilation Album | Mardi Gras | MG 6 |
Singles
| Year | Single : A-Side / B-Side | Label | Catalog # | NZ Chart | Source Album (Both sides from same album except where indicated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | "When I Was Young" / "Maggie Maggie" Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | HR.349 | All Our Own Work! | |
| "All Our Own Work" / "Photograph" Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | HR.366 | |||
| 1970 | "Gretel" / "Drink To Me Lads" Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | HR.391 | #11 | Non-album Track / All Our Own Work! |
| "Pretty Girl" / "Your Tender Look" Attributed to: Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band | HMV | HR.399 | #1 | Have A Hogsnort Rupert Summer / Non-album Track | |
| "Aubrey" / "Lonesome Traveler" | HMV | HR.419 | #5 | Have A Hogsnort Rupert Summer / Non-album Track | |
| 1971 | "Aunty Alice (Brought Us This)" / "Something Old Something New" | HMV | HR.426 | #8 | Have A Hogsnort Rupert Summer |
| "Little Bird" / "I'm Coming On Back To You" | HMV | HR.436 | Non-album Tracks | ||
| "Monday" / "Act Naturally" | HMV | HR.442 | Ways of Making You Laugh / Non-album Track | ||
| "Charlie Was A Good Man" / "Digging My Potatoes" | HMV | HR.450 | Ways of Making You Laugh | ||
| 1973 | "Taking Wine With Lil" / "Have A Cuppa Tea" Attributed to: Alec Wishart with Jelly Roll Revival (*) | HMV | HR.494 | Non-album Tracks | |
| "Grandad's Piano" / "Champs Elysees" Attributed to: Alec Wishart with The Society Jazzmen (*) | EMI | HR.505 | |||
| 1981 | "Tokyo Rose" / "Hey Good Looking" | Epic | ES 695 | It's Hogsnort Rupert | |
| 1982 | "Don't Make Me" / "Little Ukulele" | Epic | ES 732 | ||
| 1983 | "Life Begins At Forty" / "Diggin' My Potatoes" Attributed to: Dave and The Dynamos (*) | Mardi Gras | MG 3 | #1 | Non-album Tracks |
| 1984 | "Can't Spell Rhythm" / "Can't Spell Rhythm (Party Mix)" Attributed to: Dave and The Dynamos (*) | Mardi Gras | MG 4 | ||
| "Holiday Song" / ? Attributed to: Dave and The Dynamos (*) | ? | ? |
- Note: This Discography also includes acts associated to 'Hogsnort Rupert' primary members; Alec Wishart and Dave Luther. Those entries are indicated with (*)
References
- ↑ Dando, Kris. "Toe-tapping tunes for 40 years". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
- ↑ "Hogsnort Rupert turn 40 with Hawke's Bay gigs - Hawkes Bay Today - Hawke's Bay Today News". Nzherald.co.nz. 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
- ↑ "Frank Boardman death". Dominion Post. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ↑ "Hogsnort Rupert frontman and founding member Alec Wishart dies, aged 76". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-01-23.