Bruno Lawrence


Ask the average New Zealander and they’ll tell you Bruno Lawrence was that bald guy from Smash Palace. But while Bruno was a successful actor, his abiding legacy is as one of our most valuable music legends.

Okay, the word "legend" is over-used, but at the least, Lawrence was larger than life, and one of those characters about whom stories run rife.

Tommy Adderley at the Pines, Wellington, early 1960s. From left: Mary Larkin, Slim Dorward, Hymie Levin, Bruno Lawrence, Tommy Adderley and Garth Young. 
Photo credit: Don and Beatrice Peat/Garth Young collection
From left, singer Mary Larkin, drummer Bruno Lawrence, Garth Young and bassist Slim Dorward - at the Pines, Wellington early 1960s
The Crocodiles - Tears
Bruno Lawrence, Jools Topp and Tama Renata
Rochelle Vinsen and band performing at Librettos guitarist Lou Parun’s 21st birthday party. Bruno Lawrence is on drums and Garth Young on piano.
Shane and Zonk! come clean - with Bruno Lawrence in the middle
Bruno Lawrence recording music for the TV series Cereal, in HMV Studios, Wakefield St, Wellington, late 1969. At left is Geoff Murphy. Cereal was a children's programme written and directed by Derek Morton. 
Photo credit: Derek Morton Collection
The Crocodiles - Any Day Of The Week
Bruno receives a NZ music award on behalf of Sharon O'Neill for the Best Soundtrack album, 1983
Bruno Lawrence and Geoff Murphy on the set of The Quiet Earth, 1984
Photo credit: Murray Cammick Collection
Original members of BLERTA, their families (and some friends), Webb Street balcony, 16 October 1971. Adults, back row: Tony Littlejohn, (Simon Morris), unknown, Helen Whiteford, Kemp Tuirirangi, Bruno Lawrence. In front: (Peter Pharazyn), Pat Murphy, Veronica Lawrence, Corben Simpson, Geoff Murphy, unknown, (Peter Homewood), and Alan Moon. The children are Robin Murphy, Thad Lawrence, baby Luke Lawrence, Matthew Murphy, Veronique Lawrence, and Paul Murphy. 
Photo credit: The Dominion Post Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library
Bruno Lawrence teaches Garth Young the bongos - the Pines, Wellington, early 1960s
Photo credit: Don Peat
Quincy Conserve in 1970: Left to right, top to bottom: Rufus Rehu, Denys Mason, Johnny McCormick, Bruno Lawrence, Kevin Furey, Malcolm Hayman, Dave Orams
Bruno Lawrence in Quiet Earth
David Charles "Bruno" Lawrence, flanked by Hymie Levin, left, and Slim Dorwood: at the Pines, Wellington, early 1960s. 
Photo credit: Don Peat
Bruno Lawrence singing and drumming with BLERTA
Photo credit: Photo by Robin White
BLERTA with Fane Flaws on the roof and Bruno on drums
Photo credit: Fane Flaws collection
Labels:

HMV


EMI

Trivia:

In 1970 HMV banned Bruno from their studios, thus preventing him drumming on Shane Hales' Straight, Straight, Straight album. Producer Alan Galbraith used Richard Burgess instead.

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