Sunday, April 18, 2021

Dragon [NZ] - Discography

 Dragon

During the '70s, the notoriously decadent Dragon was among the biggest rock bands in New Zealand, gaining even greater success on the Australian circuit. Dragon's history begins with brothers Todd and Marc Hunter, natives of the North Island town of Taumarunui; from childhood on, the siblings performed professionally in their parents' jazz band, with Todd learning guitar and Marc picking up the drums. As the years passed, both Hunter brothers played in a variety of local bands, both together and independently; Dragon emerged in 1973 from the remnants of Staff, a group featuring Todd on bass, in addition to singer/pianist Graeme Collins, guitarist Ray Goodwin, and drummer Neil Reynolds. Personality conflicts quickly emerged, and soon the clean-living Collins was sacked by his hedonistic bandmates in favor of keyboardist Ivan Thompson. That left Dragon without a singer; however, the situation was quickly solved when Marc Hunter signed on as lead vocalist.

After Reynolds was replaced by drummer Neil Storey, the classic Dragon lineup was in place. The group favored a heavy progressive rock sound which quickly earned them a growing cult following, and in early 1974, they took home top honors at the Auckland Festival's all-day Rock Marathon. Their success led to a contract with Polygram Records, and within months, Dragon's debut LP, Universal Radio, appeared, becoming one of the best-selling "underground" records of the period. During a month-long residency at the Fiji nightclub the Golden Dragon, the band began developing their outrageous on-stage theatrics, antics complete with a transvestite mime troupe, pregnant strippers, rotting pigs' heads on microphone stands, and rampant destruction of instruments and stage equipment. During a subsequent national tour, however, Storey was sacked, and Thompson quit in sympathy; with new drummer Geoff Chunn, Dragon struggled as a four-piece before disbanding weeks later.








2007.The Essential


2009.Remembers




8 comments:

lavo said...

Great Aussie/ New Zealand music. Remember seeing them in Adelaide in the early 80,s

Ozzieguy said...

Hi there lavo
They were good, I also saw them in Adelaide in the 80s when I was on a visit there.
Regards
Ozzieguy

fafa said...

thank for all but bad link for incarnations

Ozzieguy said...

All fixed, thanks for letting me know.

Tedwood E. Bear said...

This is too awesome dude! What a freaking legend you are for doing this. Thanks so much!

Ozzieguy said...

Hi there Tedwood E.Bear
You are very welcome, enjoy the great music my friend.
Best Wishes
Ozzieguy

Slickman said...

Great upload man! Were these ripped from CDs?

Ozzieguy said...

Hi Slickman
Yes mate, all albums are from my own personal collections that I have purchased over many years.
Regards
Ozzieguy