Photos Below

What is the average life of a band? Not very long I would suggest – here today and gone tomorrow.

In NZ you are likely to find that the oldest band is a brass band, possibly with a military heritage. I believe the Invercargill Brass Band is pretty old which started out as the Invercargill Garrison Band in 1867. These days it is called the Ascot Park Brass Band and still going strong.

The Vision on the other hand didn’t change its name even though it has had around 35 (or is that 38) different musicians in its line-up over the decades. Now whether someone was wise enough to recognise the value of a brand or whether holding onto the Vision name was just the natural thing to do does not matter. The point is that the band through its name was recognised throughout the province as a better than average covers band that could be relied on to deliver a repertoire of good music played well.

So what to expect from a 50^th reunion show? Well it was certainly going to involve the participation of a large number of former Vision members, many of whom no longer live in the city.

Basically the night was structured roughly around chronological line-ups of the band but not pedantically so. I call them the geological layers of Primus Vision.

The programme for the night on stage looked like this:

1 The Originals Line-Up

2 The Bryan to Pete Line-Up

3 The Horns Line-Up
4 The Bennett Boys Line-Up

5 The New Wave Line-Up

6 The Young Ones Line-Up (Oxymoron)

There was a finale involving all of those who could fit on stage.

The various line-ups were ably supported by two competent backing singers, Michelle Lange who is Bob Daley’s daughter and Maria Tipuna.

I have a rough list of the musicians which made up each line-up that Ray Eade and I worked on at the airport. It might not be totally accurate so would be grateful if someone could give me a proper list so that I can include with this blog entry.

I also wouldn’t mind the list of songs that made up each set. I do have the Bennett twins set list but not the others. And honestly some of the song choices surprised me mainly because they were bold and diverse crossing a number of different genres and music periods. From the Rolling Stones to the Stranglers.

Update: See below for the full lineups and most of the set lists which was kindly provided by Trevor Daley.

When I arrived (late as usual – seems that the 7.30pm start time is when the music starts and not when the doors open) the Originals with Bob Daley and Dave Kennedy were already belting it out.

The audience listened respectfully from a distance either at the tables set out around the venue or standing at the sides near the bar, catching up and reminiscing. But the dance floor would eventually beckon.

And I think one of the real reasons why these kind of Invercargill band reunion shows are so popular is because you are more than likely to come across a lot of old buggers from your former life.

And it was very much so for me. Within five minutes of arriving I was shaking hands with Ross Grenfell (former Judas Embrace drummer) who I last saw in Sydney in 1972. The irony is that we both wondered where each one of us had gotten to over the years and yet Ross has lived in Wellington for 10 years while I have been there for over 40 years. We probably passed each other in the street without knowing.

The other Judas Embrace connection is John Kennedy who was also in the band. Ross and John plus myself had wondered over the years where Brian Lamb, the driving force behind the band, had gotten to as he seems to have vanished completely.

Any music reviewer coming in off the street to critique the show would probably only hear the musical mistakes of which there were plenty. But I personally think that errors should be expected give that the musicians would have not have played with each other for many years and you can guarantee whatever rehearsal time was involved would have been short and far from adequate to deliver absolute slickness. Besides when I hear mistakes I know I am hearing a live band and not an act supported by backing, tapes, loop pedals, click tracks and auto tune.

Danny Bennett later admitted to a bit of nervousness about playing with the band again given the time that has passed since last performing with the other members. He suggested that others might have felt the same and once he had done his stint he was “glad it was over”. But his overriding feeling was that it was a fun night and an “excellent thing to do”.

The stalwarts on the night would include Dave Gillies, Tony Ross and Sam Ross mainly because they spent quite a bit of time on stage. But honestly I think everybody who played did really well and should have been pleased with the end result.

Once the night got going the punters populated the dance floor in great numbers. And it should not be understated that for the largely mature audience seeing the Vision performing in all its iterations would have been a treat not to be missed.

It was pretty evident that the event was supported by good planning and behind the scenes organisation. The staging and production involved was professional and effective and overall is something that you wouldn’t see with the average gig.

Trevor Daley as chief spokesperson for the Vision delivered his acknowledgements and the list of those he thanked was extensive (see video above). This underpins the fact that these shows need a lot of people doing lots of different but important things.

Lineups and Set Lists

1 The Originals Line-Up

Dave Kennedy Bass, Warren(Brickey) McLew Drums, John Kennedy Sax, Dave Gillies Keyboards, Bob Daley Guitar. Special Guests Sam Ross and Mark Hewton Guitars, Maria Tipuna and Michelle Lange backing vocals.

1 Set List
?

2 The Bryan to Pete Line-Up
As above but with Bryan Gerrard replacing Dave Kennedy on Bass guitar. Peter Skerrett then replaced Bryan on Bass and Jason Sagmyr replaced the guitarists.

2 Set List

A Whiter Shade of Pale (Procul Harum)

Gypsy (Uriah Heep)

Never Been to Spain (Three Dog Night)
Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
With a Little Help from my Friends (Joe Cocker0
What else?

3 The Horns Line-Up

Pat Houlihan Keyboards, Paul Rosel Drums, Ray Eade Bass, Sam Ross Guitar, Tony Ross Vocals, Trevor Tattersfield & Kevin Dell Trumpets Jim Turrell Trombone, Michelle and Maria backing vocals.

3 Set List

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is (Chicago)

Lido Shuffle (Boz Scaggs)

Brickhouse/ Easy (Commodores)

Georgia (Boz Scaggs)

Saturday in the Park (Chicago)

Play that Funky Music (Wild Cherry)

25 or 6 to 4 9 (Chicago)

4 The Bennett Boys Line-Up
Dave Gillies Keyboards, Sam Ross Guitar, Danny Bennett Drums, Tony Bennett Bass Tony Ross Vocals. Maria and Michelle backing vocals.

4 Set List
The Wall (Pink Floyd)
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)
Peaches (The Stranglers)
Pump it Up (Elvis Costello)
Oliver's Army (Elvis Costello)
Respectable (The Rolling Stones)
Hold the Line (Toto)
Jailbreak (AC/DC)

5 The New Wave Line-Up

Tom Osmond and Dave Goodall Keyboards, Warren Skerrett Bass, Sam Ross Guitar, Tony Ross vocals, Trevor Daley Drums, Michelle and Maria backing vocals.

5 Set List
Crazy and Walls (Icehouse)
Dancing on the Jetty (INXS)
I Ran (Flock of Seagulls)
Wouldn't it be Good (Nik Kershaw)
Rebel Yell (Billy Idol)
Talks in Stereo (Gary Myrick and the Figures)
Modern Love (David Bowie)

6 The Young Ones Line-Up

Brendon Burgess, Scott Calvert and Geoff Burn Keyboards, Brent Walker Bass, Jeff Ross vocals Trevor Daley Drums, Jason Sagmyr Guitar.

6 Set List
Dance the Night Away (The Mavericks)

Copperhead Road (Steve Earle)

This Love (Maroon Five)

Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon)

Strong and Angels (Robbie Williams)

Man on your Mind (Little River Band)

Beds are Burning (Midnight Oil)

Take It Easy (The Eagles)

Boys Light Up (Australian Crawl)

Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen)

Mony Mony

Below is the Southland Times preview and the question now is will there be a review?

Vision to reunite for 50th anniversary in Invercargill

Damian Rowe Apr 18 2019

The original Vision line up in 1969, from left, Bob Daley, John Kennedy, Dave Kennedy (back), Warren "Bricky" McLew and Dave Gillies.

A legendary band that held a 17-year residency at the Whitehouse pub is ready to hit the stage again this weekend in Invercargill.

Cover band Vision will reunite for the first time since 2011 to play for its 50th anniversary show.

The band previously held shows on its 10th,15th, 20th and 25th anniversaries but Vision drummer Trevor Daley says this is the last time they will play.

About 35 musicians have been part of the band through its years, and at least 20 of them are expected to attend the reunion.

Gathered at the Southland Musician Club, around a long table, band members Scott Calvert, Bob Daley, Pat Houlihan Tony Ross, Paul Rosel, Brendan Burgess, Jeff Ross, Geoff Burn, Brent Walker, Jason Sagmyr and Trevor Daley reflected on the band's history ahead of its gig on April 21.

When asked what brought on another anniversary Trevor Daley says, "Just another moment of insanity I suppose."

"We've been really good mates, so it was just an excuse to get together again."

Through its 50 years the members of the band witnessed first-hand radical changes to the music scene.

However, they mostly existed in a period of time when a band could make a living from holding down a residency at a pub.

"The major shift was there used to be bands in most pubs and now there aren't like real sized bands playing for to five nights a week, that world doesn't exist anymore," keyboarder Pat Houlihan said.

The band 2019 at a rehearsal ahead of their 50th anniversary, from left, Geoff Burn, Scott Calvert, Brendan Burgess, Pat Houlihan, Tony Ross, Paul Rosel, Jeff Ross, Bob Daley, Trevor Daley, Jason Sagmyr and Brent Walker.

The band held a residency at the Whitehouse for 17 years.

Brothers Trevor and Bob Daley both played in the band.

Bob is an original guitarist, and said the band played at a few bars before they moved into the Whitehouse.

They decided to pick the toughest night to play a gig, which was a Tuesday, and away they went.

During its peak the band played Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, twice on Saturday and held rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday.

Playing so regularly meant the band members became close friends.

"In fact, some of the band members saw each other more than they saw their wives," Daley said.

"A lot of the wives and girlfriends became barmaids because they missed their men," bass player Brent Walker quipped.

The best part of having a residency for so long was not having to shift their equipment around.

Daley recalls when the odd touring band came to town and they had to move their equipment, it would be stuck to the carpet because it had been there for so long.

"I had a nine piece drum set with 10 cymbals and I didn't have to move them for 10 months ... it was heaven," drummer Paul Rosel recalled.

"That's bloody showing off Paul," Daley interjects.

"I couldn't play any of them though," Rosel says.

While Rosel jokes about his playing ability, Vision built a reputation for covering songs with precision.

"The reputation of the Vision has always been a band that plays stuff as it came out, original as you can get."

"To work with a band with that work ethic is a privilege," Walker said.

Vision playing at the McNabb Hall in 1971. Pictured, from left, Bryan Gerrard, John Kennedy, Warren "Bricky" McLew, Bob Daley and Pat Houlihan.

Vision certainly had a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder when it came to getting the songs right.

"We could spend a couple of weeks working on a song," Bob Daley says.

The band members may be serious about playing their songs, but the reminiscent mood also brought out the quick wit.

"Apart from some smart bastard, who could learn the song on the way to rehearsal in the car, aye Scott?"

"He (Scott Calvert) could learn the song with one hand while texting," Rosel said.

While it was a lot of work, band members gained a lot of satisfaction by playing the covers right.

Tony Ross, who was the band's singer in the 80s, with a growl to his voice, rejects the suggestion the band had been influenced by the Dunedin sound during that decade.

"We were as far away from that stuff as you possibly could be," he said.

Vision only did covers, and Walker said the covers had to be the best music.

"We had the best guys in music writing for us," Daley said.

Vision's covers that will be played at its 50th anniversary show on Sunday will most likely be received as throwbacks but during its residency era they played the newest and hippest popular songs of the moment.

The age of residency was long lived but the music scene eventually evolved and that put Vision on the endangered list.

The band moved out of the Whitehouse and into the old Lasers nightclub at the Waikiwi tavern.

There the band only took to the stage at 2am and 3am.

"And the bloody DJ would get some bird and take her home so we had to finish the night off," Daley said.

The band members were all holding down full-time jobs and at the time the workload and playing so late became a bit too much.

Vision moved on to playing functions before taking a long hiatus from 2011 until now.

Vision is set to play at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club on April 21.