Kaye Bassett Millar

Thanks to Kaye Bassett Millar

Kaye Bassett with Jimmy Sloggett on the Let's Go '65 Show in Christchurch's Civic Theatre

Kaye started singing with Tommy Kahi at the age of 13, and her first stage appearance was on August 30th, 1963 - before The Safari Lounge opened.  She did a lot of shows around and about Temuka and Timaru, also a Sunday afternoon (with all of Tommy Kahi's guitar pupils).  In those days with Tommy's band, Kaye was only allowed to sit in a chair on stage all night until she was required to sing.  When the Safari Lounge was about to open circa 1963, they were wanting a female singer and Ray Messervy suggested to Kaye's brother that she should give it a try.  The band was The Diamonds which very soon changed to The Castaways, and then Peter Nelson and The Castaways.  Kaye was there until 1965/66 having been to Auckland in that time singing at The Downtown and The Stage Door.  She was asked to sign a contract with Benny Levin Promotions (Russell Clark), but being just 15 years-of-age, her parents would sadly not sign it.  She also did a lot of regular guest spots at dances and night clubs around town for a good 4 yrs with different shows around NZ and a few with Alan Galbraith around Nelson, Blenheim and Picton.  She was asked to join the Lets Go '65 Tour across the end of 1965 and into 1966, around which time she was at The Plainsman where she was resident singer for 6 months.  She was a member of two different girl bands, the first of which was put together at The Plainsman with Mitty (now) Meares as drummer.  The second group was involved in a show with Lou and Simon at Timaru and a couple of other spots - this band was called The Opposite Sect with Kaye Bassett (Vocals), Anne Taylor (Organ), Linda Kirby (Rhythm Guitar), Caroline Tucker (Bass), Janette Tucker (Lead Guitar) and Sharon Meighan (Drums).  Kaye sang at The Bower Hotel for a few months, then at The Pier Hotel, The Esplanade Hotel (Tri-Tones with Dennis Moir), The Halswell Hotel and The Tai Tapu Hotel for approximately 6 months, during the same period also doing a lot of shows around Temuka and Timaru.  Kaye bowed out of the music scene at age 21 doing only odd spots throughout the years.  In 2008 she met back up with Brian Ringrose, and with his help wrote and recorded a number of songs.

Kaye Bassett with The Diamonds
Ray Messervy (Bass), Doug Petrie (Drums), Kaye Bassett (Vocals),
Jimmy Woods (Rhythm) and Dave Henderson (Lead)

Kaye Bassett with The Castaways
Ray Messervy (Bass), Don Clarkson (Rhythm), Doug Petrie (Drums),
Dave Henderson (Lead), Kaye Bassett (Vocals) and Peter Nelson (Vocals)

The Diamonds morphed into the Castaways featuring Kaye Bassett and Peter Nelson as vocalists and appearing at The Safari Lounge.

Kaye Bassett appearing at The Safari Lounge

Kaye Bassett appearing at The Safari Lounge

Kaye with The Tri-Tones at The Esplanade Hotel - Kaye Bassett with Dennis Moir on guitar
The drummer and bass player are unidentified. Singer John McPherson is not shown

Kaye Bassett with Mr Leigh Grant

Kaye Bassett with Peter Gillette

Kaye Bassett with Peter Sinclair

These days Kaye Bassett is Kaye Bassett Millar, and she is writing and recording her own songs, which have been getting plays in Europe, America, and Australia as well as NZ.  She was very proud to learn that she had made the Joyce Ramgatie International Top 20 Playlist (at No. 111) — AND that She Reminds Me Of Me had made it into the Top 40 !!  Not bad when you consider that there are over a million artists competing !!  Kaye has always been a singer, but marriage and a family meant that she had other priorities to address.  Keep your eyes on this local songstress, and don't be scared to GOOGLE for Kaye Bassett Millar's music on-line.