The prog-rock band, a relative rarity for New Zealand, was put together by Steve Mackenzie. “I was born in Taumaranui but got into school bands in Hamilton,” he says. “I named my first band Genesis, until I found an English band of the same name in the NME. We became Ryot, the name for an Indian peasant cultivator! We played covers of the rock hits of the day – Steppenwolf, The Rolling Stones etc.”
Steve Mckenzie - vocals, guitar
Brad Murray - bass
Ray Simenauer - guitar, vocals
Alan Blackburn - keyboards
Rick Mercer - drums
Steve Mackenzie’s school band Genesis once featured a young Neville Jess, who later found success drumming for Think.
Alan Blackburn’s best friend at school was Kerry Jacobson, future drummer for Dragon.
Ray Simenauer’s brother Rob provided the distinctive vocal segment in the opening credits of the Grunt Machine TV series.
Ray Simenauer’s father Wilfred played cello in the NZSO in the 1970s.
Infinity