We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for The Secret Life of John Rowles

The Secret Life of John Rowles

Television (Full Length) – 2008

The meteoric career of one of NZ’s greatest entertainers is examined in this documentary. John Rowles went from a Kawerau childhood to stardom in London at 21; but, after headlining in Hawaii and Las Vegas, he saw it all slip away. Those roofing ads and near bankruptcy followed, but Rowles has retained his self belief and that voice. A stellar cast of interviewees analyse his strengths and weaknesses, including Sir Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Neil Finn and late promoter Phil Warren. Amongst the star cameos, John’s sister Cheryl Moana explains the downside of his best-known local hit.

He is the penultimate showman.
– Sir Howard Morrison

Key Cast & Crew

Generic Profile image for Glenn Elliott

Glenn Elliott

Producer, Writer, Director

Profile image for Simon Mark-Brown

Simon Mark-Brown

Director, Writer, Producer

Profile image for Howard Morrison

Howard Morrison

Subject

Profile image for Jason Pengelly

Jason Pengelly

Editor

Generic Profile image for Willie Jackson

Willie Jackson

Subject

Profile image for Ray Columbus

Ray Columbus

Subject

See all 30 credits

Produced by

Logo for Buto Productions

Buto Productions

Source

Logo for Buto Productions

Buto Productions

More from the Turning Up the Volume Collection...

Thumbnail image for Radio with Pictures
Series

Radio with Pictures

For a generation of music fans before the...

Thumbnail image for C'mon
Series

C'mon

C’mon...

Thumbnail image for Split Enz - Spellbound

Split Enz - Spellbound

Sam Neill narrates this documentary plotting the...

Thumbnail image for Dalvanius

Dalvanius

Entertainment legend Maui Dalvanius Prime rides an...

Thumbnail image for Ten Guitars

Ten Guitars

This full-length documentary gives...

Thumbnail image for Homegrown Profiles
Series

Homegrown Profiles

Homegrown Profiles was a spin-off from music...

Thumbnail image for Popstars
Series

Popstars

Popstars was a key part of the late 1990s...

Thumbnail image for The Secret Life of John Rowles

The Secret Life of John Rowles

The meteoric career of one of NZ’s greatest...

Thumbnail image for Don't Let it Get You

Don't Let it Get You

“The big ALL FUN show for the whole family to...

Thumbnail image for Making Music - Te Waihanga Pūoro
Series

Making Music - Te Waihanga Pūoro

This series, made for use as a teaching resource in...

Thumbnail image for Fat Freddy's Drop - Based on a True Story

Fat Freddy's Drop - Based on a True Story

This documentary follows the "seven-headed soul...

Thumbnail image for That's Country
Series

That's Country

Punk rock was breaking and musical styles changing,...

Thumbnail image for Ready to Roll
Series

Ready to Roll

In the early 80s Ready to Roll was NZ’s...

Thumbnail image for Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Prince Tui Teka - 1983 Variety Show

Kicking off with Elvis Presley's 'That's Alright,'...

Thumbnail image for Eyewitness - Punk

Eyewitness - Punk

TVNZ journalist (and future Communicado founder) Neil...

Thumbnail image for Intermediate Schools Battle of the Bands - Lorde excerpt

Intermediate Schools Battle of the Bands - Lorde excerpt

Before you could call her Queen Bee and...

Thumbnail image for Finn for a Day

Finn for a Day

This documentary follows a 2001 Neil Finn tour of his...

Thumbnail image for The Power of Music (Te Kaha o Te Waiata)

The Power of Music (Te Kaha o Te Waiata)

Auckland band Herbs could have released their new...

Thumbnail image for Grunt Machine
Series

Grunt Machine

The Grunt Machine began life in May 1975 as a...

Thumbnail image for Bill Sevesi's Dream

Bill Sevesi's Dream

This Artsville TV documentary plucks its way...

Thumbnail image for Nambassa Festival

Nambassa Festival

The three day Nambassa Festival, held on a Waihi farm...

Thumbnail image for Poi E

Poi E

This uplifting promotional clip is as famous as the...

Thumbnail image for Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story

Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story

This documentary tells the story of the legendary...

Thumbnail image for Sir Howard Morrison - Time of My Life

Sir Howard Morrison - Time of My Life

Ol’ Brown Eyes celebrates 40 years in showbiz...

Thumbnail image for Sweet As

Sweet As

This documentary follows the experiences of two groups...

Thumbnail image for Mai Time
Series

Mai Time

Mai Time was an influential magazine show for...

Thumbnail image for Th' Dudes - Right Second Time

Th' Dudes - Right Second Time

In 2006, Th’ Dudes reformed after 26 years. This...

Thumbnail image for The Topp Twins - Untouchable Girls

The Topp Twins - Untouchable Girls

Part live performance, part biopic, and part...

Thumbnail image for When the Cat's Away

When the Cat's Away

This concert film captures When the Cat's Away during...

Thumbnail image for Blerta Revisited

Blerta Revisited

If a single word could sum up the free-wheeling...

Thumbnail image for Heroes
Series

Heroes

Heroes followed a band trying to make it in...

Thumbnail image for Maple on the Hill - The Untold Story of the Tumbleweeds

Maple on the Hill - The Untold Story of the Tumbleweeds

Although The Tumbleweeds toured beyond Otago only...

Thumbnail image for Hip Hop New Zealand

Hip Hop New Zealand

"E tu stand proud, kia kaha say it loud", Dean...

Thumbnail image for Nesian Mystik - For the People

Nesian Mystik - For the People

For the People charts the journey of Auckland...

Thumbnail image for Good Day - The Music and Record Industry

Good Day - The Music and Record Industry

This 1978 documentary casts a critical eye...

Thumbnail image for Numero Bruno

Numero Bruno

Numero Bruno is a warts and all biography of widely...

Thumbnail image for Lew Pryme - Welcome to my World

Lew Pryme - Welcome to my World

Lew Pryme's life was a wild ride that took in...

Thumbnail image for Nathan Haines Family Album

Nathan Haines Family Album

London-based jazz saxophonist Nathan Haines returns...

Thumbnail image for The Country Touch
Series

The Country Touch

The Country Touch was a widely popular...

Thumbnail image for Popco
Series

Popco

Arriving on Kiwi television screens on 19 April...

Thumbnail image for Shihad - Beautiful Machine

Shihad - Beautiful Machine

This theatrically released documentary charts 23 years...

Thumbnail image for Through the Eyes of Love

Through the Eyes of Love

New Zealanders have been accused of not rushing to...

Thumbnail image for What Now? - Kimbra excerpt

What Now? - Kimbra excerpt

A decade before joining Gotye at the top spot of the...

Thumbnail image for True Colours - First Episode

True Colours - First Episode

Born of a dispute between TVNZ and record companies...

Thumbnail image for Queen City Rocker

Queen City Rocker

There's panic on the streets as 19-year-old tearaway...

Thumbnail image for Poi E: The Story of Our Song

Poi E: The Story of Our Song

Thumbnail image for John Rowles, Ladies and Gentlemen

John Rowles, Ladies and Gentlemen

In 1969 Kiwi music legend John Rowles was in his early...

Thumbnail image for Shazam!
Series

Shazam!

Shazam! rode the 1980s music video boom...

Thumbnail image for Should I Be Good?

Should I Be Good?

Director Grahame McLean uses the notorious (then...

Thumbnail image for Kaleidoscope - Decade of the Enz

Kaleidoscope - Decade of the Enz

In 1983, Split Enz, NZ's most successful rock group to...

Thumbnail image for Let's Go
Series

Let's Go

In the heady days of Beatlemania, Let's Go...

Thumbnail image for Pōkarekare Ana - A Māori Love Song

Pōkarekare Ana - A Māori Love Song

This 2002 documentary explores the stories behind one...

Thumbnail image for Have a Shot - 1964 Final

Have a Shot - 1964 Final

Sixties talent show Have A Shot began as...