"THE BLUESTARS - SINGLES A's & B's" (60s GARAGE ROCK ANTHEM NEW ZEALAND 1965-1966)

"The Bluestars" recorded one of the all time great 60s Garage singles not just from New Zealand, but from anywhere in the world.
"The Bluestars" were "Rick Van Bokhoven" (rhythm guitar and vocals), "John Harris" (lead Guitar and vocals), "Murray Savidan" (bass guitar and vocals), "Jim Crowley"(drums).
Modeling themselves on "The Shadows" style of music, they started playing at church and youth group dance engagements, but after hearing "The Beatles"'"Please Please Me", they made a major change to their style of music.
This proved successful and they started selling out venues around Auckland's eastern suburbs.

The Bluestars from left to right: Rick van Bokhoven, Jim Crowley, Murray Savidan and John Harris

Still wanting to release a record, they engaged "Terry Hayman" as their recording manager: "Terry Hayman" claimed to have contacts at "Decca Records" in London.
He was right, and he got them signed to "Decca Records", making "The Bluestars" the first New Zealand group to score a debut record contract in Britain.


Four songs were recorded during the session. They were "Please Be A Little Kind", "I Can Take It", "Just Fell In Love With You" and "Baby Come Home".
Although a rushed session, a tape was still sent off to England.
"Decca Records" obviously liked what they heard, as they released a single of "Please Be A Little Kind" backed with "I Can Take It" in December 1965.

The Bluestars: "Please Be A Little Kind" / "I Can Take It", Decca Records F12303, 1965

The single was released in Britain and the continent, as well as the US, Japan and Australia.
Whilst getting some favourable reviews, it was NOT a hit.
Early 1966 saw its release in New Zealand.
Receiving valuable airplay, it made it to number #12 on a local chart, but because they were only known around Auckland, it never featured on the national chart.
But because of their new found fame, they started playing larger venues, to larger audiences.

"The Bluestars" went back to the studio to prepare a follow-up single.
Three songs were recorded, "It's The End", "S'pose We're Away" and "Don't Wanna Be Lonely Anymore".
Unfortunately "Decca Records" didn't like any of them and rejected them all.
That concluded their relationship with "Decca Records".

The Bluestars: "Social End Product" / "I'm Over Here", Allied International Records JAR 540, 1966

As an ANSWER to this rejection, "John Harris" wrote "Social End Product".
And WHAT a reply it was - an angry searing rail at the outside world complete with FEROCIOUS DISTORDED backing, released on the hot "Allied International" label.
It was released in September 1966 with "I'm Over Here" on the flipside.
With the release of this single, controversy was never far from the group.
"Social End Product" was THE GARAGE PUNK ANTHEM, set a new standard for recorded teen angst.

In order to be able to have a regular place to play, as well as their suburban dance gigs, they decided to open their own club.
A venue was found in Remuera and was named the "Gallows". It was a short lived venture and because of noise complaints by wealthy neighbours was forced to close down hardly before it began.
"The Bluestars" wouldn't last much longer themselves. "Rick Von Bokhoven" departed in late 1966, prompting "Jim Crowley" to shift to organ, allowing young 17 year old drummer, "Eric Jackson", to slip onto the drum stool.
"The Bluestars" battled on for another few months, and after turning down an offer to play in Australia, eventually bowed out in February 1967 with the "I'm A Little Man" / "Sherlock Sweet", Allied International Records JAR 545, 1967 .