The Librettos


It was rough, raw and alive, and oh so electric. Chances are if you were a New Zealand teenager and it was a Tuesday night in late 1964, your television would be tuned to Let's Go.

As a tall blond compere in impeccable suit brightly announced, “Hi there, this is Pete Sinclair ... once again Let’s Go with The Librettos,” an attack of handclaps, insistent bass from Brian Peacock, then a surge of guitarist Rod Stone’s surf picking burst forth.

Rod Stone in a Lexian Records publicity shot for his Skye Boat Song solo single, 1963
Photo credit: Rod Stone
The Librettos with UK popster Billy J. Kramer (with the black eye he received in Australia) at Wellington Town Hall, 1964
Back row: Roger Simpson, John England, Dave Clark. Front row: Paul Griffin, Gordon Jenkins, Rod Stone
Photo credit: Paul Griffin collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
The Librettos at the 1962 Hastings Blossom Parade. L to R: Rod Stone, Dave Clark, Paul Griffin, John England
Photo credit: Paul Griffin collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Circa 1962, L to R (back row) Gordon Jenkins, David Clark, John England, (middle) Rod Stone, (front row) Roger Simpson, Paul Griffin
Photo credit: Rod Stone
An Australian publicity shot - Rod Stone, Brian Peacock, Craig Collinge
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Early Librettos line-up taken while playing in Rotorua, probably at The Ritz. Back row (L to R): Paul Griffin, guest drummer Ray Earle, John England. Front: Rod Stone, Howard Morrison, Roger "Sammy Rogers" Simpson, Harry M. Miller, David Clark. Harry Miller and Howard Morrison were the promoters.
Photo credit: Rod Stone
The Librettos at the Rotorua Soundshell Ballroom
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Rod Stone, Andy Shackleton (hidden), Johnny England, Dave Diver - at Miramar Lamp Factory social club
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Gordon Jenkins (on drums), Paul Griffin, John England, Rod Stone
Photo credit: Paul Griffin collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
The Librettos only album, reissued in 1997 with bonus tracks
The 1966 Kicks single released on the Australian label Sunshine.
The Librettos in Nelson
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
An alternative shot from the photoshoot for the HMV album Let's Go
Photo credit: Photo By Hubert Sieben. Rod Stone collection.
The Librettos in an Australian HMV publicity shot. Rod Stone, Lou Parun, Brian Peacock, Craig Collinge
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Rod Stone, Dave Diver, Brian Peacock, Lou Parun in Masterton
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
The Librettos - Lou Parun, Dave Diver, Brian Peacock, Rod Stone
HMV publicity shot
At the Nelson Sports Hall - Dave Diver, Paul Griffin, John England, Ian Dawson. Rod Stone
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
The Librettos at the 1962 Hastings Blossom Festival. With guitars in the back - Rod Stone, Paul Griffin, Roger Simpson, John England. In front of Rod Stone: Dave Clark.
Photo credit: Paul Griifin collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Lou Parun's third solo single for the small Lexian label, from 1963, backed by The Librettos
Rod Stone on guitar with Dave Clark behind
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
At the Rotorua Ritz Ballroom
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
The Librettos: Roger Simpson, Rod Stone, Gordon Jenkins, Paul Griffin and John England
Photo credit: Rod Stone collection. Thanks to Andy Shackleton
Members:

Rod Stone - guitar

Lou Parun - vocals, guitar, keyboards

Brian Peacock - bass

Dave Diver - drums

Craig Collinge - drums

Roger Simpson - vocals

Dave Clark - piano

Johnny England - guitar

Paul Griffin - bass

Gordon Jenkins - drums

Andy Shackleton - drums

Trivia:

Rod Stone and Andy Shackleton found the name Librettos by randomly poking a pin in a dictionary.

Prior to The Librettos Rod Stone and Andy Shackleton had performed as an Everly Brothers styled duo.

Labels:

HMV


Sunshine Records


Festival

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