Lou and Simon


If any act in New Zealand’s pop music past now seems an anachronism, it is Lou and Simon. In the 1960s this musical comedy duo was extremely popular and hardworking, performed often on television and recorded prolifically.

Lou Clauson and Simon Mehana were stars. Yet their records are hardly ever heard today. We live in an age that is allegedly more racially sensitive and “Hori humour” has gone the way of blackface minstrels.

Miss NZ Tour 1965. From top left: Wez Taiaroa, Lou Clauson, Ian Saxon, Simon Mehana. Middle row: John Hore, Howard Morrison, Miss NZ 1965 Gay Phelps, Keri Northover. Front: Gary Wahrlich, Rim D. Paul. 
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Rim D. Paul Collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
One of five EPs released by Lou & Simon in the 60s. Recorded in 1966, the four tracks on this EP did not appear on any of their albums.
Lou Clauson, Simon Mehana
Dear Murray...
Photo credit: Murray Cammick Collection
1965 live album
David Hartnell, Lou Clauson - holding a Benny award - and Gray Bartlett
Photo credit: Gray Bartlett collection
Lou writes to DJ Keith Richardson in the early 1960s from Sydney
Photo credit: Keith Richardson collection
Lou & Simon's first studio album and the first LP released on the Red Rooster label. Recorded in 1965 with Peter Posa who played guitar on the album and wrote the liner notes
Lou Clauson as a solo artist in the early 1980s
Lou Clauson writes to DJ Keith Richardson in the early 1960s
Photo credit: Keith Richardson collection
Lou & Simon's business card
Photo credit: Keith Richardson collection
The Māori Melody
Simon Mehana
Photo credit: Keith Richardson collection
Lou and Simon at The Downtown Club, Wellington, circa 1966
Members:

Lou Clauson

Simon Mehana

Labels:

Zodiac


Viking


Red Rooster

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