Murray Grindlay

aka Monte Video


Having a shot glass chucked at his face after a gig in an Auckland bar in the mid-1970s changed Murray Grindlay’s life. In the days following, with stitches in his left cheek, he retired from the live music scene to concentrate on writing jingles.

Grindlay had already released recordings with The Soul Agents, The Underdogs and Cruise Lane, toured New Zealand with The Underdogs and tried his luck in Australia, but that early morning in the emergency department at Auckland Hospital, he decided it was time to sink or swim on the strength of his songwriting.

Down at the old saloon, Auckland, 3 February 2020. A reunion with (from left) Mike Chunn, Murray Grindlay, Barry Coburn, and music journalist Phil Gifford. In December 1972 promoter Barry Coburn presented Split Ends at its second gig, at Levi's Saloon on Customs Street, Auckland. Grindlay and Gifford, of course, also have many tales to tell.
Photo credit: Tyler Coburn
Cover for Murray Grindlay’s 1980 All Blacks TV campaign ‘Give ‘Em A Taste Of Kiwi', released as a single under the name Black Bolt And The Silver Ferns.
The Underdogs classic debut album, released on Zodiac in early 1968
Murray Grindlay, Midge Marsden and Stevie Ray Vaughan at Auckland's Stebbing's Studio recording the Europa Travelling On advert in September 1987. Midge Marsden recalls Stevie upsetting Margaret Stebbing by turning his amp up to "11". 
Photo credit: Perez Charles collection
Murray Grindlay in the 1970s, venue unknown
The 1983 Monte Vidéo album (the & The Cassettes was dropped for this release), regarded by Murray Grindlay as some of his best work. It was released in the US by Geffen Records.
The cover of Murray Grindlay's 1977 solo album, photographed by Des Williams. This was not the cover Murray wanted on the release but his label made the decision to go with the sleeve seen here.
BASF Dear John TVC - adapted by Murray Grindlay (1981)
Murray Grindlay at the 1982 APRA Silver Scrolls, The Crypt, Queen Street
Murray Grindlay with his original jingles band which also provided the backing for his self-titled 1977 album, from which this photo came. Left to right: Red McKelvie, Peter Woods, Neil Edwards, Grindlay, Dennis Ryan.
The Underdogs, circa 1967: Lou Rawnsley, Murray Grindlay, Tony Walton and Neil Edwards
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
The 1977 soundtrack to the New Zealand feature Sleeping Dogs, directed by Roger Donaldson. It featured three Murray Grindlay tracks as well as his songs being performed by other singers.
The 1977 Murray Grindlay single from the soundtrack to Sleeping Dogs, produced by Alan Galbraith
Great Crunchie Train Robbery TVC - music by Murray Grindlay (1975)
Theme from Once Were Warriors (1994) - composed by Murray Grindlay and Murray McNabb, performed by Tama Renata
Monte Video & The Cassettes - Don't Mention My Name (1983)
Murray Grindlay with The Electric Confectionaires at Montage Studios in Grey Lynn, Auckland
The Underdogs, September 1967: Tony Walton, Neil Edwards, Murray Grindlay and Lou Rawnsley 
Lou Rawnsley and Murray Grindlay from a 1967 Playdate magazine photoshoot
Shoop Shoop Diddy Wop Cumma Cumma Wang Dang - Monte Video (1982)
The Underdogs, June 1967: Tony Walton, Neil Edwards, Murray Grindlay and Lou Rawnsley
Cruise Lane on stage at De Bretts, High Street, Auckland, August 1973. Left to right, Red McKelvie, Brett Neilsen, Mike Wilson, Murray Grindlay, Paul Hewson.
Monte Video and the Cassettes - Sheba (She Sha She Shoo) (1983)
Murray Grindlay fronting The Underdogs, circa 1967. Tony Walton on drums.
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Murray Grindlay as Monte Video, 1982
Murray Grindlay in the 2000s
ScreenTalk Legends - Murray Grindlay (NZ On Screen, 2024)
The Underdogs - Sitting In The Rain (1967)
Travellin On - TVC featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan, Murray Grindlay and Midge Marsden
A rare Murray Grindlay live performance, Sale St, Auckland, October 2011. Left to right: Murray McNabb, Bruce Lynch, Grindlay, Frank Gibson Jr. 
Photo credit: Richard Morris collection
A rare Murray Grindlay live performance, Sale St, Auckland, October 2011
Photo credit: Richard Morris collection
Trivia:

Alongside a host of drag queens and mates in dress-up, the video for ‘Shoop Shoop Diddy Wop Cumma Cumma Wang Dang’ featured a cameo by country music singer Al Hunter, who appeared in white face and red lipstick.

Murray Grindlay produced the Red Hot Peppers LP Toujours Yours at Stebbing Recording Studio in 1976 although he would later call it a disaster due to his inexperience and not knowing what to do with the band.

Labels:

Key


Zodiac


EMI


Mushroom Records


Family


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