Larry's Rebels
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Ponsonby , New Zealand |
| Products | Garage rock, psychedelic pop music |
Larry's Rebels emerged as a garage rock ensemble originating from Ponsonby, New Zealand in 1964. Maintaining a consistent lineup, they scored multiple singles that charted nationally in both New Zealand and Australia. Their repertoire ranged from blues rock to psychedelic pop, showcasing the adaptable vocal talents of frontman Larry Morris. The group’s sound was shaped by both British Invasion and American musical trends.
Origins
In 1962, four classmates from Seddon Technical College—John Williams (lead guitar), Dennis "Nooky" Stott (drums), Harry Leki (bass guitar), and Terry Rouse (keyboards, rhythm guitar)—formed their initial professional band, the Young Ones, which focused on rock and roll and blues. Drawing inspiration from groups such as the Shadows and musician Bill Black, they played local gigs while cycling through bass players until eventually reorganizing as Larry's Rebels. After Leki departed to join the successful Simple Image, the band forged a connection with television producer Robert Handlin. This relationship facilitated a contract with Paul Newberry, manager of the Skylounge venue. Influenced by the rising fame of the Beatles, they transitioned towards a pop sound, shortened their name to the Rebels, brought in Larry Morris as lead vocalist, and soon adopted the name Larry's Rebels to highlight their frontman.
Larry's Rebels then secured residency at the Top Twenty Club, taking over from Ray Columbus and the Invaders and igniting a notable rivalry. Williams recalled strict performance protocols that included requirements to introduce new Top Twenty songs and penalties for tardiness or slow tempos. By late 1964, Viv McCarthy joined on bass, solidifying their core lineup. After spending a year at the Top Twenty Club, they moved on to perform at the Platterack club, which allowed them greater freedom to explore diverse musical styles.
In late 1965, following a co-headlining appearance with Ray Columbus and the Invaders at the Miss Auckland Personality Contest, manager Russell Clark assumed control of Larry's Rebels and secured a recording deal with Philips Records. Although their first demos were initially declined, their debut single—a rendition of Dionne Warwick's "This Empty Place"—was released in December 1965. While it sold well, it did not enter the charts. Their subsequent folk-tinged single "Long Ago, Far Away," released in early 1966, gained local popularity.
Recording Progression and Achievements
By mid-1966, Clark collaborated with entrepreneur Benny Levin to establish Impact Records, debuting Larry's Rebels as their inaugural artist. Their first release did not chart; however, their cover of The Who’s "It's Not True" climbed into the top 10 by September 1966. Toward the end of that year, the band toured under Impact Records’ banner and in January 1967 supported prominent acts such as The Yardbirds, The Walker Brothers, and Roy Orbison. Encouraged by The Yardbirds to experiment with instrumentals and psychedelic sounds, Larry's Rebels’ fifth single "I Feel Good" ascended into New Zealand’s top five.
Following performances in Australia during April 1967, promoter Ron Blackmore booked them for The Easybeats’ major homecoming tour. Their April single—a cover of The Creation’s "Painter Man"—rose rapidly on the charts but was halted at number six due to a radio ban triggered by a listener complaint over a misheard lyric. Despite this obstacle, their May 1967 debut album A Study in Black alongside the single "Let's Think of Something" delivered their first number one hit in Auckland and reached number four nationwide.
Back in Auckland, Clark orchestrated a promotional event featuring Morris rescuing a Miss New Zealand contestant from an orchestrated fall. This stunt spotlighted the band’s innovative psychedelic laser light show—the first of its kind in New Zealand—which became a highlight during their August 1967 Golden Disc Spectacular tour. Throughout 1967 and 1968, Larry's Rebels headlined major venues across Australia. However, exposure to drug culture during tours began affecting Morris’s punctuality.
Their original composition "Dreamtime," released in November 1967, peaked at number four. Psychedelic elements persisted with the single "Fantasy," although it failed to achieve significant success. They bounced back with "Halloween," which reached number six in July 1968. Intense touring pressures led to Rouse suffering a nervous breakdown and leaving the band. Subsequent releases included the Top Ten hit "Do What You Gotta Do," featuring new member Mal Logan alongside Brian Henderson on organ.
Disenchanted with management by early 1969, Morris embarked on a solo career. His final track with Larry's Rebels was "Mo'reen," which attained number four in February 1969. After his departure, R&B vocalist Glyn Mason took over lead duties as the band rebranded simply as The Rebels. Under Mason’s leadership, they unexpectedly reached number one with "My Son John" in March 1969. Later that month they relocated permanently to Australia but were unable to replicate prior success; their second album Madrigal received mixed reviews and a follow-up single released in January 1970 failed commercially, culminating in their breakup.
Larry Morris died at his Auckland residence on 18 January 2023 after a short illness.
Studio albums
| Album | Information |
|---|---|
| A Study in Black |
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| Madrigal (credited as The Rebels) |
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Charting singles
| Year | Song title | AUS | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | "Dream Time" | 85 | 4 |
| "Painter Man" | – | 6 | |
| "Let's Think of Something" | – | 4 | |
| "Dream Time" | – | 4 | |
| 1968 | "Everybody's Girl" | 98 | 6 |
| "Do What You Gotta Do" | – | 6 | |
| 1969 | "Mo'reen" | – | 11 |
Aotearoa Music Awards
Since 1965, the Aotearoa Music Awards—previously known as the New Zealand Music Awards—have annually recognized outstanding achievements within New Zealand’s music industry.
| Year | Honoree | Award category | Outcome | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Larry's Rebels | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Inducted |