Give It A Whirl 2 - The Swinging Sixties (Episode Two)

The second episode from this series about the history of pop music in New Zealand begins in June 1964 as four Liverpudlians touch down at Wellington Airport. Beatlemania heralded a golden era for bands; teens wanted to dance and venues sprung up in every Kiwi city. This episode includes gritty R&B influenced groups like Larry's Rebels, The La De Das and Christchurch's Chants R&B. Prime time TV music show  C'Mon was hugely influential and became a launchpad for Kiwi acts like Shane, Mr Lee Grant and The Chicks. Songwriter Wayne Mason shares the creation story behind The Fourmyula's 1969 hit 'Nature'. 

They played me this song 'Nature', out of about half a dozen. I said 'that's the one' and I remember Wayne Mason saying 'don't be daft. That's never going to be a hit'.

– Music producer Peter Dawkins on hearing The Fourmyula's 1969 chart topper 'Nature' for the first time (near the end of this episode)

Key Cast & Crew

Colin Hogg

Writer, Story Consultant

Kevan Moore

Subject

Wayne Mason

Subject

Michael Higgins

Writer, Research, Associate Producer

Bernie Allen

Subject

Mark Everton

Director, Writer, Interviewer