THE QUIN TIKIS

The Quin Tikis formed in the early 60s was a Maori rock 'n' roll showband who originated from Rotorua. They moved to Auckland and performed there for a little while before moving to the UK. Early Quin Tikis included Dora Amohau, Weasel Tairoa, Garry Wallace, Anzac Teeoka, Tab Painga and many others. They had an ever-changing line-up, so listed are only the known members. The Quin Tikis showband toured as part of the annual Miss New Zealand extravaganza and also with Joe Brown's Country and Western Stage Show. Future successful solo performer Rim D. Paul joined the band in 1963. Thanks to Sammy Davis Jr taking a shine to The Quin Tikis after seeing them at the prestigious Pigalle club in London, he invited them over to appear with him at the Sands in Las Vegas. But Jim Anderson, their manager, didn’t take up the offer, wanting the Maori Hi-Five to be the company’s first act in the entertainment Mecca.

Returning to NZ, their first recording ''Ol' Man River / Poi Poi Twist" was released on Zodiac (including Australia) in 1964 followed by ''Runaway"/"Theme From The Inspector". The group relocated to Australia in late 1964. While they were there, they recorded three singles for Philips. The first in 1964 was "Enchanted Sea / Don't You Know Yockomo". Dora Amahau left the band was replaced by Keri Summers. Sam Mataparae started taking a more front role with the group and this was evidenced by the second single B side in 1965, "Route 66'' that was credited as Sam and the Quin Tikis. Keri Summers sang on the A side '' Get Me To The Church'' that was credited to Keri and The Quin Tikis. The third single A side, "Honky Tonk featured Sam on vocals and the B side ''Keep On Lovin' Me'' featured Keri. 

In 1966 The Quin Tikis were featured in John O’Shea’s slapstick musical Don’t Let It Get You, set in Rotorua and also starring Kiri Te Kanawa, Howard Morrison and Normie Rowe. Around this time Rim D. Paul left the band. Paul’s biggest solo hit was ‘The Ballad of Lionel Rose’ (1967), a tribute to an Aborigine boxer who was the world champion bantamweight; this reached #11 in the Australian charts. After the film they returned to Sydney and held a residency at the Tiki Village as well as playing the Miller's pub circuit.

The Quin Tikis started performing around the world, and even doing a tour of duty in Vietnam, entertaining the US troops. The band’s line-up changed often, but they made two albums, 'Make Friends with The Quin Tikis (Sunshine, 1968, later reissued on Calender) and The Fantastic Maori Quin Tikis Showband (1968 not released in Australia), that mixed lounge standards with rock and roll. Keri Summers released a single "Vaya Con Dios / You're The One" on the Sunshine label in 1967. Sam Mataparae died in November 1974 after falling down a flight of stairs, and his body was returned to Rātana Pā for burial.

Members

Dora Amahau (vocals/drums), Weasel Tairoa (guitar), Rim D. Paul (vocals/bass), Garry Wallace (drums), Anzac Teoka (sax), Sam Mataparae (vocals/sax/guitar), Tab Painga, Fred Summers (piano/sax), Eddie Low (vocals/guitar/trumpet), Kevin Rongonui (sax), Rufus Rehu (keyboards), Phil Rivers (sax), Marsh Cook (sax), Earl Anderson (drums), Bill Rawhiti (bass), John Cameron (drums), Gogi Walker (guitar), Keri Summers (vocals)

SINGLES

''Poi Poi Twist / Ol' Man River'' 1964 Zodiac
''Enchanted Sea / Don't You Know Yockomo'' 1965 Philips
''Get Me To The Church / Route 66'' 1965 Philips
''Honky Tonk / Keep On Lovin' Me'' 1965 Philips

ALBUMS

'Make Friends With The Quin Tikis' 1968 Sunshine

  

References

http://www.sergent.com.au/music/quintikis.html