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First published in March 2009
Kevin can be contacted at kpmktg@xtra.co.nz
Kevin
McNeil – Soloist/Presenter
Kevin
was one of the original members of well known New Zealand 60’s band “The
Mods”
formed in 1964. During that period he toured New Zealand with the band and
recorded two singles that made the NZ Charts.
In
1989 Kevin re-formed the Band with some of the original members and from 1990
until 1999, appeared in concerts around the country, many as support for major
overseas artists such as “Canned
Heat”, “The Little River Band” (1995) and Roy Phillips
from the “Peddlers”.
Local
artists such as Ray
Columbus, Susanne Lynch, Ray Woolf and Shane were
amongst the acts that worked with Kevin and the “Mods” over that period.
In
the 80’s and 90’s Kevin also worked as a sports announcer for Radio Waikato,
Radio Pacific and ZH FM in Hamilton and was club captain at the Lochiel Golf
Club 1994/95, running a number of Pro-am and charity Golf tournaments.
Over
the past 6 years he has been working as a Solo Artist, Presenter and his fun
band “The Buddys” with old mates Neil Reynolds and Peter Matthews.
His
latest project is the production of a solo
album
called
“Anthology”
featuring self penned songs along with covers of some his favorites and a
collection of recordings he has made since 1965. This is
due out late 2009.
Kevin’s
skills and knowledge of the music and sports environment enables him to
communicate well with audiences and ensures the client a complete and successful
function.
A Duo with Ray Columbus
Solo (2008)
The
Mods
were originally formed in late 1963, and from early 64 they performed around New
Zealand establishing themselves as one of the leading acts of their era.
Throughout the 60’s they supported such artists as Ray
Columbus,
The
Chicks, Mr Lee Grant, Ray Wolfe, Howard Morrison & Shane.
The
Original lineup was Wayne Reynolds (Guitar) John Bisset (Guitar) Neil Reynolds
(Drums) and Kevin McNeil (Bass). In late 65 Clive Coulson joined
the band as lead Vocalist. Clive had previously worked with The
Dark Ages
and The
Rayders
both well known Auckland Bands. He went on to eventually join up with Led Zeppelin
as
their Road Manager and on stage sound engineer following that he co-managed Free
and Bad
Company,
both Bands with Lead Singer Paul
Rogers. Clive
passed away suddenly in January 2006 and is sadly missed by his Music buddies.
The
Mods traveled the country playing top Night Spots in Auckland & Wellington
becoming recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading groups.
In
1966 they were booked to play support for the “Sonny
& Cher” but
due to differing tastes in music the band members decided to go their separate
ways, with John Bisset joining the
Action
and Wayne & Neil Reynolds “Ways
& Means”. Kevin
McNeil pursued a career in Radio as a Sports announcer.
The
boys got back together for a reunion in 1989 and played a couple of gigs with
the original members and from that point the second era of “Mods”
evolved with a new line-up featuring Kevin McNeil and John Bisset plus new
recruits who carried on the tradition. John moved on in “91” and Neil
Reynolds returned ensuring that there was always going to be at least two
original members in the line-up.
Through
the 90’s
they supported a number of well known acts including
“Canned
Heat”
and “The
Little River Band”
and
played their last gig in 2002.
In
February 2004 the original band celebrated it’s 40th Anniversary
with a gig in one of Hamiltons Night Spots and wowed a full house.
The
last performance of the original band was in March 2008 for a Charity concert
along with the Hamilton
County
Bluegrass Band, The Rumour, The Satellites, Suzanne and Ray Columbus.
They
will be celebrating their 45th Anniversary this year with a Show open
to the public.
The
Mods
had Chart success with two singles in the 60’s, Love,
Love, Love / It’s in her Kiss
(The Shoop Shoop song) and Hubble
Bubble Toil and Trouble / I’ll be on my way.
In
1989 a Mini Album was released called “Doing
it for the Music which
included; Doing
it for the Music / Heart full of Soul / Long cool woman in a black Dress/Keep it
simple / Love the way you love to Rock ‘n’ Roll / I haven’t even been
born.
For
further information, sample discs or references for the Show please contact
Kevin McNeil
c/-
KP Entertainment Marketing Phone 07 843 8688/Mobile 0274 364 661
Hamilton,
New Zealand
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