Hello Sailor


The perception of Hello Sailor has changed over the years – for some they are a band that has been together forever and their fame is based only on radio hits like ‘Blue Lady’ and ‘Gutter Black’.

But back in the day they were primarily known for their live gigs, rockin’ the nation, one pub at a time. They have spent more time apart than together.

Harry Lyon, Auckland University Café, 1977
Photo credit: Photo by Simon Lynch
Sailor's Voyage (2007, part 1 of 4) - NZ On Screen
Dave McArtney and Harry Lyon with producer Rob Aickin (standing) and manager David Gapes. Stebbing Recording Studios 1977/78
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Son Of Sam (Live in LA 1978)
Page two of Dave McArtney's letter from LA, 1979.
Photo credit: Murray Cammick Collection
Gutter Black
Lisle Kinney, Windsor Castle, 1977
Photo credit: Photo by Simon Lynch
Hello Sailor's debut album from 1977, produced by Rob Aickin. Cover design by Peter Adams, internal band photos by Eldred Stebbing’s son Vaughan.
Originally intended for advertising use, this image by Phil Peacock shows Karyn Hay during her Radio With Pictures prime, with several leading New Zealand musicians of the era. It became the cover of Rip It Up's December 1983 issue.
The touring band for the 1985 Hello Sailor Shipshape & Bristol Fashion album: Graham Brazier, Harry Lyon, Neil Hannan, Dave McArtney, Ricky Ball and Tim Wedde
Hello Sailor’s second album, originally released in 1978, just prior to the ill-fated trip to Los Angeles
Lying in the Sand
Graham Brazier, Auckland University Café, 1977
Photo credit: Photo by Simon Lynch
1977 Hello Sailor tour schedule as supplied to the band and media, promoting their debut album
Photo credit: Murray Cammick Collection
Late 1970s Hello Sailor poster designed by Ian McDougall
Photo credit: Mike Corless Collection. Design: Ian McDougall
Dave McArtney writes to Rip It Up from Los Angeles, 1978
Gutter Black (Campbell Live, 19 Dec 2008)
Ricky Ball, Harry Lyon, Graham Brazier, Dave McArtney, Lisle Kinney, a publicity shot from 1985
Hello Sailor - Blue Lady (with Ray Manzarek at the Whiskey A Go Go, LA 1978)
Hello Sailor at The Gluepot for $2!
Gutter Black & Billy Bold (Play It Strange concert at The St James Theatre 2004)
Winning Ticket
Hello Sailor - Never Fade Away
Graham Brazier, late 1970s
Marc Hunter and Graham Brazier, Great Western Festival Jan 15, 1978
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Fugitive For Love
Dr Jazz (with Ray Manzarek at the Whiskey A Go Go, LA 1978)
Hello Sailor interview, Give It A Whirl, 2003 (NZ On Screen, 2022)
Blue Lady
Dave McArtney with Hello Sailor, Windsor Castle, Parnell, Auckland 1977
Photo credit: Photo by Simon Lynch
Auckland University Gym after a Hello Sailor gig - late 1970s
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Dave McArtney, Graham Brazier and Harry Lyon performing Son of Sam - Mainstreet, 1979
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Gold Discs for the Hello Sailor album
1977 'Blue Lady' poster designed by Peter Adams
Photo credit: Ian Morris Archives. Design: Peter Adams
Hello Sailor in 1977: Dave McArtney, Lisle Kinney, Graham Brazier, Harry Lyon, Ricky Ball
Photo credit: Photo by Jeremy Templer
A 1985 Zulu/CBS publicity shot: Dave McArtney, Ricky Ball, Harry Lyon, Graham Brazier
Ian Morris and Rob Aickin recording the debut Hello Sailor album at Stebbing Studios, 6 June, 1977
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
The original press release for the second Hello Sailor album, announcing they were off to LA. Plus Golden Harvest are following their footsteps, although it's unclear exactly how.
More awards - Dave McArtney, Graham Brazier, Harry Lyon
Dave McArtney and Graham Brazier, July 1977
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Live, 1978
Dave McArtney and Graham Brazier with Hello Sailor at Auckland's Gluepot, 1978
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick