The Radars

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Radars | image = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | alias = | origin = | genre = | years_active = 1962–2007 | label = | website =  | current_members = | past_members = Ray Lemon<br>Andrew Taylor<br>Neville Toura<br>Harvey Baker<br>Feau Halatau }}

'''The Radars''' were a New Zealand group that was made up of mainly visually impaired musicians. They backed Deane Waretini on his no 1 hit "The Bridge" in 1981, and they won the Best Polynesian Album award at the 1983 New Zealand Music Awards. They played mainly around Auckland.

==Background==

===1960s=== The group was started in or around 1962 by Niuean born drummer, Feau Halatau and four fellow students from the Parnell Institute for the Blind.<ref name="The Radars, Profile - Adam Gifford">Audio Culture, 23 May 2013 [http://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/the-radars The Radars, Profile - Adam Gifford]</ref><ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on">''Central Leader'', 22/01/2009 [http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/805597/Former-rockers-beat-goes-on Former rocker's beat goes on]</ref> The first gig they were paid for was a wedding, and according to the drummer Halatau, they were paid a couple of pounds each.<ref name="nzherald.co.nz">''New Zealand Herald'', Friday 1 December 2000 [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=162811 Range of the Radars covers entire town By Graham Reid]</ref> Around November 1966, they were the resident band at a dance hall in the Auckland suburb of Ōtāhuhu.<ref>''New Zealand Herald'', 5 November 1966 [http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30708400?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D%5B%5D=Blind+musicians&search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D%5B%5D=Radars+%28Musical+group%29&search%5Bil%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Radars+%28Musical+group%29&search%5Bpath%5D=items Blind pop group success]</ref> They backed singers Ricky May and John Rowles during their residency at the Picasso club. Their residency lasted until 1967.<ref name="Radars">Sergent.com.au [http://www.sergent.com.au/music/radars.html Radars]</ref> In 1967, their single, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" was released on the Zodiac label.<ref>Discogs [https://www.discogs.com/Radars-Dont-Get-Around-Much-Anymore/release/4362879 The Radars (2) – Don't Get Around Much Anymore]</ref> During the 60s the group had appeared on television on the talent show ''Have a Shot''.<ref>''Timaru Herald'', 29/04/2013 [http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/features/8603676/History-of-TV-in-NZ-spliced-together History of TV in NZ spliced together - Claire Allison]</ref><ref name="nzherald.co.nz"/>

===1970s=== By the mid-1970s, when their residency at the Gluepot in Ponsonby had come to an end, they had been performing there for seven years.<ref>Heritage New Zealand [http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7218 http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/7218, Gluepot Tavern]</ref><ref>''New Zealand Herald'', Friday 1 December 2000 [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=162811 Range of the Radars covers entire town] by Graham Reid</ref>

===1980s=== In 1981, some members from the band, along with former Quincy Conserve trumpet player Kevin Furey backed Deane Waretini on "The Bridge", which was written by George Tait" for Waretini. The song was a number 1 hit in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=New Zealand Herald | date=30 March 2009 | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10564340 | title=You must remember this | first=Alan | last=Perrott}}</ref> The song, originally released on the Innovation label, and later CBS was credited to Deane Waretini with The Rising Stars.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=45cat | url=http://www.45cat.com/artist/deane-waretini-with-the-rising-stars | title=Deane Waretini With The Rising Stars - Discography}}</ref> In an article by ''The New Zealand Herald'', the group was possibly erroneously referred to as The Rising Suns.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=New Zealand Herald | date=30 March 2009 | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10564340 | title=You must remember this, Deane Waretini - ''The Bridge'' | first=Alan | last=Perrott}}</ref> By early 1983, there were just two of the original members left in the band.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=Auckland Star | date=18 February 1983 | url=http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30776974?search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D%5B%5D=Blind+musicians&search%5Bi%5D%5Bsubject%5D%5B%5D=Radars+%28Musical+group%29&search%5Bil%5D%5Bsubject%5D=Radars+%28Musical+group%29&search%5Bpath%5D=items | title=Two members remain}}</ref> ;Having a hit Using a tactic first employed by Gary Havoc & The Hurricanes, and then later by Deane Waretini, with Waretini's having the record peddled on the street,<ref>''Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock'n'roll, 1955–1988'', by John Dix, p219, 294</ref><ref>''New Zealand Herald'' - Monday Mar 30, 2009 [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10564340 You must remember this, Deane Waretini - ''The Bridge'' - By Alan Perrott]</ref> they financed their own recording of a single. Like Waretini, they took it to the street to promote and even got family members to sell it.<ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on"/> On the 27th of February, their version of "That Lucky Old Sun" entered the N.Z. charts at no 20. It spent 6 weeks in the charts, peaking at no 20.<ref>Charts.org.nz [https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Radars&titel=That+Lucky+Old+Sun&cat=s THE RADARS - THAT LUCKY OLD SUN (SONG)]</ref> On 24 July, their version of "The Banana Boat Song" made it to no 35 and stayed in the charts for a week.<ref>Charts.org.nz [https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Radars&titel=Banana+Boat+Song&cat=s THE RADARS - BANANA BOAT SONG (SONG)]</ref> In that year, they also won an award for "Best Polynesian Album" at the New Zealand Music Awards.<ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on"/>

===1990s=== In 1993, along with Ken Kincaid, they were featured in an article in the October edition of the New ''Zealand Musician'' magazine.<ref>Auckland Council Libraries [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=SEE_ALSO&QF0=Descriptors&QI0==%22Radars+(Musical+group)%22&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=&TN=LocHAM&SN=AUTO4282&SE=51&RN=2&MR=0&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=Displayweb&EF=&DF=&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=2&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=17137&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&SS=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1 Auckland - a meeting place for blind musicians]</ref>

===2000s=== In December 2000, marking their fourth decade in the music business, the band appeared on stage at the Blind Musicians Festival in Parnell.<ref>Auckland Council Libraries [http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=SEE_ALSO&QF0=Descriptors&QI0==%22Radars+(Musical+group)%22&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=&TN=LocHAM&SN=AUTO4282&SE=51&RN=2&MR=0&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=Displayweb&EF=&DF=&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=2&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=17137&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&SS=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1 Range of the Radars]</ref> The current line up at the time was Feau Halatau, Ray Lemon, Neville Tura and Andrew Taylor. For the event, they were to have singer Eleanor Wicks on keyboards.<ref>''Scoop.co.nz'', Tuesday, 28 November 2000 [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0011/S00068/largest-gathering-of-blind-musicians.htm Largest gathering of blind musicians]</ref> Around 2001, the band had $10,000 of their equipment stolen. They kept going for a few more years, and finally disbanded in or around 2007, with the only two surviving original members Andrew Taylor, and Feau Halatau parting company.<ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on"/> Ray Lemon died on Monday, 14 July 2008. His service was held at a marae in Awaru, which is near Kaikohe.<ref name=RRL /> In January 2010, Andrew Taylor had joined the group Blue Collar Band, playing venues like the Wanderers Club in the Auckland suburb of Māngere. Dennis Kingston who was with The Radars at one stage was also in the band.<ref>Eventfinda [http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2010/apr/mangere/blue-collar-band#none Blue Collar Band]</ref> Bass played Alex Constable was also in the band for a period of time. He played in a variety of bands including The North Harbour Rockers, and the cover band, 2 Flat Whites and a Mocha.<ref name="bandsforhire.co.nz">PME Entertainment Agents [http://www.bandsforhire.co.nz/products/2-flat-whites 2 Flat Whites and a Mocha - Covers band - Auckland]</ref> In a 2009, an article in the 22 Jan edition of Auckland's ''Central Leader'', drummer Halatau now living in Onehunga was looking to open a drumming school. He was hoping to make a documentary about the group as well.<ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on"/>

During the career of the band, in addition to John Rowles, and Ricky May,<ref name="Radars"/> they had also backed singer Rob Guest who died in 2008.<ref name="Former rocker's beat goes on"/>

==Members==

===Original members=== * Ray Lemon ... (Lead Guitar / Backing vocals) * Andrew Taylor ... (Rhythm and Lead guitar) * Neville Taura ... (Bass Guitar) * Harvey Baker ... (Saxophone / Lead vocals) * Feau Halatau ...(Drums / Backing vocals)<ref name="Radars"/>

===Others=== * James Tapini ... (Guitar, vocals) * Selwyn Davies ... (Bass guitar) * Mal Edwards ... (Bass guitar) * Billy T James ... (Vocals, guitar)<ref name="The Radars, Profile - Adam Gifford"/> * Dennis Kingston ... (Drums)<ref>Eventfinda [http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2010/apr/mangere/blue-collar-band Blue Collar Band]</ref> * Alex Constable ... (Bass guitar)<ref name="bandsforhire.co.nz"/>

==Discography== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |+ Singles |- ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Catalogue ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes # |- ! scope="row" | "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" / "The Piper" | Zodiac Z45-1318 | 1967 | |- ! scope="row" | "Poor Boy's Dream" / "When Will I Be Loved" | Allied International JAR-570 | 1967 | |- ! scope="row" | "Heart" / "Hayride" | Allied International JAR-574 | 1968 | |- ! scope="row" | "That Lucky Old Sun" / "Tahiti Nui" | Epic ES 818 | 1983 | |- ! scope="row" | "The Banana Boat Song" / "Chulu Chululu" | Epic ES 878 | 1983 | |- |} <ref>NZ Music Collection [http://nzmusic.inmycollection.co.nz/vinyl.php?Product=SINGLE&ARTIST_ID=341 The Radars Singles Discography]</ref>

==The Rising Stars== The Rising Stars appear to be a group related to The Radars. In 1975, the line-up consisted of Suva Huch, Neville Toura, Bobby Payne, and Allan Witana. As of May 1975, they were still the resident group at the Ellerslie Motor Inn.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=Auckland Star | date=28 May 1975 | url=http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&QF0=Record_ID&TN=LocHAM&RF=Displayweb&NP=2&QI0=53014 | title=Page 8 Profile of the "Rising Stars"}}</ref> Toura / Taura was an original Radars member.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=Auckland City Libraries | url=http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=SEE_ALSO&QF0=Descriptors&QI0==%22Toura,+Neville%22&XC=/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll&BU=&TN=LocHAM&SN=AUTO7176&SE=1019&RN=0&MR=20&TR=0&TX=1000&ES=0&CS=1&XP=&RF=Displayweb&EF=&DF=&RL=0&EL=0&DL=0&NP=2&ID=&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MQ=&TI=0&DT=&ST=0&IR=49885&NR=0&NB=0&SV=0&SS=0&BG=&FG=&QS=&OEX=ISO-8859-1&OEH=ISO-8859-1 | title=Index Auckland: local history, arts and music}}</ref> Witana who was also a musical colleague of Radars guitarist Ray Lemon, had known him since 1957 when they met at the Parnell college for the blind.<ref name=RRL>{{cite news | publisher=Waatea 603 AM News | date=18 July 2008 | url=http://waatea.blogspot.com/2008_07_13_archive.html | title=Radar Ray Lemon Plays Last Chord}}</ref> Witana had also produced "The Bridge" for Deane Waretini, the record which the Rising Stars played on.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=45cat | url=http://www.45cat.com/record/inn009 | title=Artist: Deane Waretini With The Rising Stars, Catalogue: INN 009}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Radars}} Category:Musical groups established in 1962 Category:New Zealand blind musicians Category:New Zealand musical groups Category:New Zealand pop music groups Category:1962 establishments in New Zealand Category:Allied International Records artists Category:2007 disestablishments in New Zealand