Les Inwood
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Les Inwood |
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 Les in 2024 |
  Les Inwood Collection |
Les Inwood |
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Les was lead vocalist in a number of very successful Christchurch groups including The Atlantics, The Downbeats, The Echophonics, Les Street and The Alleys and The Next Move. |
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 The Atlantics |
 The Downbeats |
 The Echophonics |
 Les Street and The Alleys |
 The Next Move |
 Les and Ted |
He was a regular guest on TVNZ's Happen Inn Series In 1969 he became a founder member and principal vocalist in Chapta, recording 2 Gold LPs, before embarking on a solo piano career in 1970, performing at a huge number of venues on the NZ Club Circuit as well as appearing on TVNZ's PopCo and Movin' On Series and the Dinah Lee Special. |
In December 1975 he returned to Christchurch and formed a duo Les and Ted (with Ted Meares). This resulted in a three year residency at The DB Redwood, six months residency at the CHRISTCHURCH Autolodge, and six months residency at the Vacation Hotel. 1979 saw him as a solo Pianist/Vocalist again undertaking another residency at the DB Redwood, this time for 18 months, closely followed by six months at the Avon Motorlodge. In late 1981 (December) he moved to Nelson to take a residency as Pianist/Vocalist at the DB Rutherford restaurant, which included backing visiting New Zealand and Overseas Artists. October 1982 saw a move to Wellington after completion of his contract in Nelson, becoming resident Pianist/Vocalist at the St George Hotel Piano Bar/Niteclub. In April 1983 he accepted an offer from the Abel Tasman Hotel to play in their Piano Bar and Restaurant Areas, and this lasted until February 1984 when he moved to Hobart, Tasmania having formed a male/female duo called NZ Connection, performing at the well known Hadleys Hotel in their large Piano Bar/Niteclub. He made two appearances on local Tasmanian TV programme Midweek, being both interviewed as well as performing. In July 1984 he changed the name of the duo to Les and Lee and accepted a position at the Astor Cocktail Lounge. May 1985, following a period of travelling, and doing various one night spots during that time (including a short period at the Gazebo International Hotel in Brisbane, accepted s six night residency at the Boolarong Motel/Restaurant on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. In October 1985, due to the closure of the Boolarong Motels Restaurant, they accepted an offer to work in Cairns at Oscar's Piano Bar/Niteclub in the Great Northern Hotel, where they were resident duo five nights a week, and this included special theme nights, backing international and visiting Australian Artists. |
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Following dissolution of the duo in May 1986, Les returned to New Zealand to take a six month residency in the piano bar at the Coachman Inn, through until December 1987 when he accepted a residency at the Pagoda Court Restaurant/Niteclub. In May 1988 he returned to Brisbane for a holiday to see the Expo and worked in a casual capacity at the Hamilton Hotel Restaurant — The Winning Circle caters for the racing fraternity. He accepted the position of resident pianist on Hamilton Island in June 1988, playing in the James Cook Bar ~ six nights a week, also backing other artists, He performed at Keith William's Cocktails Parties, entertaining international celebrities (including Prince Andrew) along with functions at the Keith Williams private residence. In June 1989 he moved to Hayman Island as resident pianist — the longest residency ever in that capacity — playing with and backing many international artists. |
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Les returned once again to New Zealand in December 1991 and formed a duo TWO MAN BAND which existed until he resumed playing solo around Christchurch and North Island from April 1992 until March 1993, at which time he formed a country duo COUNTRY LUST to cater for the increasingly popular line dancing craze, working with well known country artist Dayille Thompson around Clubs throughout Nelson, Christchurch and the West Coast of New Zealand. September 1993 saw a change of name of the duo to TEXAS TEASE. June 1995 ushered in another duo with Dayille Thompson known as ROULETTE to provide a varied repertoire away from Country Music. In March of 1996, Les and Dayille were married and they continued to work the two duo's as well as solo artists taking up a six month residency at The Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook in October 1996 playing in the lounges for guests, and in the Panorama Restaurant. March 1997 saw a return to Christchurch where Les once again worked as a solo artist. July/August 1988 Les was working around the Gold Coast as pianist with The Karen Carpenter Shows featuring Julie Perry. In September 1998 the duos TEXAS TEASE and ROULETTE were reformed by request of entertainment agents and the public. January 1999 Les and Dayille moved to Australia's Gold Coast to reside permanently, and for the next 18 years Les worked in Australia on The Karen Carpenter Show, Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, Dance on Band (playing in Clubs and at events in Queensland), until finally returning to New Zealand in August 2018. |
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 Les was a regular on TV — Happen Inn, PopCo and Movin' On |
 Les on PopCo |
Additional Les Inwood material is available on the following individual pages ..... |
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