Brian Ringrose

Brian in his new Downbeats
gold jerkin and dark blue shirt

Brian Ringrose Collection

Brian Ringrose

John Brian Ringrose was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on May 01st, 1945 and died in Christchurch on August 21st, 2017.  He was an extremely talented musician mastering a number of instruments including the flute, keyboards as well as being a proficient vocalist, although his principal talent was as a guitarist.  His sister bought him his first guitar, and his long and illustrious career began on May 1st, 1958 with a job Don Clarkson got for him at St David's Bible Class from 7:30pm until 10:00pm for which he received the princely sum of 10/6.  Our Brian played in a number of bands from that time and these included The Wildcats, The Downbeats, The Invaders, The Playboys, The Byrds and latterly About Time (which he formed with former Max Merritt and The Meteors drummer, Peter Sowden.  He was resident at (among others) The Plainsman, The Shiralee and The Platter Rack.  He performed on several TV Shows, including Come On, Let's Go, Happen Inn, That's Country, A Week Of It, Opportunity Knocks, What's Now and several Telethons.  He toured with The Howard Morrison Quartet.

Brian with Don Clarkson and The Wildcats

... with Ray Columbus in happier days

Early Ray Columbus and The Invaders

With The Playboys - Phil Garland and Dave Miller

... with Johnny Parker and fans early 1960s

With Dave Miller + The Byrds

Brian tells us in his own words ... "My first paid job was at St. David's Bible Class social on May 01st, 1958 and I kept the original "set list" which included a Foxtrot, Vallette Gay Gordons, Gypsy Tap, Ballin' The Jack and Some Rock 'n' Roll.  I was asked to join The Wildcats and played with them for about 18 months, at which stage I was asked to join The Downbeats with Ray Columbus, and I started playing at Spencer Street.  We eventually changed our name to Ray Columbus and The Invaders and played at many of the local dances, eventually signing to play at The Plainsman.  After a six month stint there, the band moved to Auckland.  I was too young to leave school, and so I joined Phil Garland and The Playboys.  Diane Jacobs (who was to become Dinah Lee) was also a singer with this band, and eventually Phil and Dinah left, and Dave Miller joined on vocals.  We had success in Christchurch, and then in Auckland during 1965 and 1966, when we worked with The Howard Morrison Quartet, and played most of the clubs, spots etc.."

Logo

DVD

CD

Brian Ringrose and Tessa Grigg - Tessarose Productions

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At the end of 1966 Brian came back to Christchurch where had based himself as a professional musician ever since.  He is still performing as a professional musician - recording, writing music etc., and running a very successful pre-school children's music business (TessaRose Productions) in New Zealand and overseas.  In excess of 80% of the materials are Brian's own original songs.

Playing at the Brisbane Steel Guitar Club

Brian at Tapawera Music In The Mountains 2015

Shortly after Brian's death on August 21st, 2017, a Concert for Brian was put together by his close friend Allan Barron, and The Hornby Working Mens' Club became the venue for an event on October 15th, 2017.  It was attended by a veritable Who's-Who of Local Musicians.

  Concert for Brian

With About Time at the Spencer Street Revisited Concerts (Christchurch Cathedral, September 2006)

Brian Ringrose mit Schecter

Additional Brian Ringrose and related groups information is available on the following individual pages .....

The Wildcats   º    The Downbeats   º    The Drifters   º    The Invaders   º    The Playboys   º    Dave Miller and The Byrds

http://www.audioculture.co.nz/stories/peter-nelson-castaway-in-asia