Split Enz

I used to read the English music weeklies religiously back in the 70’s. I saw a review of a band from New Zealand that was produced by Roxy Music’s Phil Manzanera. I was a big fan of Phil Manzanera, so I got the US release of ‘Mental Notes’. THAT was music I needed to hear! Kinda prog-rock, kinda pop, kinda quirky, all excellent. 

Shortly afterwards, they announced that they would be playing a couple of shows at the Boarding House in San Francisco; I got tickets for both. Originally, comedian Henny Youngman was going to be the opener, no lie (Take these Kiwis…. please!) but unfortunately, that did not transpire. But they put on a great show, complete with the whole band playing spoons on their knees, and had very colorful/graphic stage outfits and hairstyles, mostly designed by percussionist Noel Crombie, pictured with tambourine. 

Split Enz went through a lot of changes over the years, with members leaving and new ones coming in, but this was when I liked them the most….

 

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Boarding House, San Francisco, 02/02/77

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