Sam Mateparae and The Rockin' Rockers
aka The Del-Rockers
Whanganui was a hotbed for rock and roll in the late 1950s, with not just Johnny Devlin emerging from the sleepy river town but also sax player Sam Mateparae, whose ‘Rockin’ Rockers’ on the Ace label is a rare slab of swinging wildness.
The Quin Tikis, Sundowner Hotel, Sydney, 1964. From left: Rim D. Paul, Sam Mateparae, Weasel Taiaroa, Anzac Te Oka, Dora Amohau on drums
Photo credit:
Courtesy of the Rim D. Paul Collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Wez Taiaroa, Gary Wahrlich, Rim D. Paul, Anzac Te Oka, Tab Paenga, Sam Mateparae at the Rex Hotel, Kings Cross, Sydney, 1964
Photo credit:
Courtesy of the Rim D. Paul Collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Quin Tikis - Hoki Mai/E Whitu/Pa Mai (1968)
Miss NZ Tour 1965. From top left: Fred Whitaker, Sam Mateparae, Wez Taiaroa, Lou Clauson, Ian Saxon, Simon Mehana, Peter Posa. Middle: 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
‘Rockin’ Rockers’ – Sam Mateparae with the Rockin’ Rockers
The Quin Tikis (L- R): Sam Matepaere, Gary Wahrlich, Weasel Tairoa, Keri Summers, John Ferguson, Rim D Paul, Freddy Summers.
The Quin Tikis - Guitar Boogie Shuffle from the 1966 film 'Don't Let It Get You'
The Quin Tikis in Vietnam: Weasel Taiaroa, Gary Wahrlich, Kevin Rongonui, Freddy Summers, Keri Summers, Sam Mateparae
Photo credit:
Noel Bell
Labels:
Ace
Philips
Members:
Sam Mateparae - vocals, bass, saxophone
Peter Wolland - drums
Kawana Waitere - piano
Alfred Paranihi - guitar
Herbert Steadman - saxophone
Posie Te Tana - guitar
Discography
Trivia:
The B-side of the band's only single listed second saxophonist Roy Steedman (aka Herbert Steadman) with the band. Little is known of him but they were always professionally known as Sam Mateparae And The Rockin' Rockers.