A Gentle Feeling 1968 - Beginnings

Around the middle of 1968 a new band called A Gentle Feeling took shape.  The new venture was initiated by Dave Stubley (drums) who got together with Paul Egan (bass and vocals) and Lindsay Smith (lead guitar).  Both Dave and Paul had previously played in Dunedin bands and met up through those connections.  This line-up never performed in public due mostly to the inability to rehearse properly (lack of practice space, gear and transport) and Lindsay Smith’s decision to leave.

A Gentle Feeling - 45 South In Concert - An Overview

According to the luminary Southland band bible, 45 South in Concert, “The Gentle Feeling (sic) were a rock covers/originals band that won the Southland heat of the Battle of the Bands and placed fourth in the South Island finals.


The list of those musicians who were part of the band includes:


Ray Eade - bass guitar; Paul Fahey - lead guitar; Rob Fahey - vocals; Kelvin Fisher - guitar, bass guitar, organ and saxaphone; Bryan Gerrard - vocals, bass guitar; Steve Mallon - drums; Peter O'Neill - keyboards;  Tony Ross - vocals; Dave Stubley - drums.


The band was resident at the Strobe YMCA dance and had a popular original tune, Tomorrow's Gone. A 1969 profile of the band written by Southland Times journalist Colin Hogg click here in his weekly Southland Beat column revealed the young rockers were single-minded about playing music they wanted to, rather than what the crowds wanted to dance to. To ensure they had the freedom of choice in their repertoire, The Gentle Feeling would often play at smaller venues.


They weren’t shy, that’s for sure. Members of The Gentle Feeling went on to make their names in other bands. Bryan Gerrard went on to play in Vision and Link; Tony Ross joined Abraham, Edge then Vision; Steve Mallon went to Prentice; Ray Eade went to Abraham, Vision and then Tom Sharplin and the Cadillacs; Kelvin Fisher to Prentice and then Terry Gavin’s band the Next Move based in Sydney; and Peter O’Neill joined glam rockers Space Waltz who had a big hit in 1974 with the single Out on the Street.”


The first correction to the 45 South in Concert entry that needs to be made is that David Stubley called the band “A Gentle Feeling” and not "The Gentle Feeling" Second the list of musicians who were part of the band through its various stages of life  also includes Paul Egan (1st & 2nd iterations) and Brendan Keehan (3rd iteration). From my understanding Peter O’Neill went on to play with Watchdog and then Baby (Christchurch) before joining “Wonder Ones” the band formed by Alistair Riddell after Space Waltz. Let me know if that’s not correct Peter.

Judas Embrace 1966-1968

Ross Grenfell is to blame for drawing me into the music sub-culture present in Invercargill in the late 1960’s. Ross and I both started work at the Public Trust Office in Don St around the same time and as a consequence got on famously. Ross was also the drummer for Judas Embrace so it wasn’t too long before I started hanging out with the band when they played the various dance venues in and around Invercargill. Because I had a camera, I was given the lofty title of Publicity Manager tasked with promoting the band through the local music press. Judas Embrace already had a roadie so they were well ahead of their time.



“Judas Embrace – 1966-1968 (Soul)
Band Members
Brian Lamb – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Ross Grenfell – Drums
Alun Jones – Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Vocals
John Kennedy – Bass Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals


This popular band was innovative and worked hard on its image and presentation. Judas Embrace considered their look as important as their music. They wore mod-period Small Faces- style tailor-made stage clothes, which were radical for Invercargill at the time.


They played at the Otautau Hullabaloo, YMCA Cabaret, RSA and Waverley Church hall (dances) and once backed the teen idol and C’mon TV show resident Mr Lee Grant.


Judas Embrace performed at the Battle of the Bands in 1967. Their repertoire included such songs as Tin Soldier, Mustang Sally, Fox on the Run and Land of 1000 Dances.


Brian Lamb has been a professional singer-songwriter in Australia since leaving Invercargill.”

Source: Page 100 45 South in Concert

Judas Embrace was a dapper band which is not surprising since Brian Lamb did the in-shop display work Abraham Wachner (a Dees St shoe shop) and was meticulous about detail. Lamb did most of the vocals although occasionally John Kennedy put down his bass guitar to take the microphone.

The photo above ended up in the local weekend newspaper circa 1967/68 with the following caption:

“Judas Embrace vocalist John Kennedy raving it up on stage at St Mary’s, Gore last weekend. In the background is bass player and organist Alun Jones. The Judas Embrace with Brian Lamb on lead guitar and Ross Grenfell on drums are fast making an impact on the Southland pop scene after their first appearance at the beginning of the year. They feature a polished style and stage presentation seldom seen with other local groups.”