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Brian Thomas

ROCKONZ Rock Hall Of Fame
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    Award presented 2007   Award presented 2008


John R Campbell Collection

 
 

Brian Thomas - seen at the SSR Concerts in Christchurch Cathedral 2006

Brian Thomas was the leader of The Vigilantes from 1959, and the band played at weddings and 21sts, and in dance halls, which included a regular but short-lived gig in Timaru (replacing The Downbeats).  The Vigilantes hit the big-time when they became the second band at The Laredo Nitespot (with Johnny Campbell and The Detours, and Les Stott) around 1963.  The band stopped playing at The Laredo in 1965, but continued making records, accompanying The Southerners on such hits as Don't It Make You Feel Good // South Wind, as well as making a few other records, most notably Come Tomorrow // The Cruel Sea and And I Love Her // Everybody Come And Clap Your Hands.

 
 

RRSP55 - The Southerners/Vigilantes


RRSP57 - The Vigilantes


RRSP59 - The Southerners/Vigilantes


RRSP153 - The Vigilantes

 
 

The Vigilantes - Bob Wilcock and Trevor Wright


The Vigilantes - Dixon McIvor, Murray Wood and Larry McKay


The Vigilantes - Murray Wood, Larry McKay and Brian Thomas

 
 

The full line-up for The Vigilantes was: Brian Thomas (lead guitar, band leader and occasional singer), Larry McKay (rhythm guitarist and occasional singer), Dixon McIvor (vocalist), Derek (Willy) Withers (bass guitar and occasional trumpet), Tony Mason (drums), Bob Wilcock (tenor saxophone).  The Vigilantes were resident second band at The Laredo Nitespot from 1963 to 1965, and subsequently appeared on The Des Britten Coca Cola Show  A tour to Pohara Beach Motor Camp was an epic, and the band played lots and lots of dance halls and church halls.  Spencer Street and the reek of Old Spice is a particularly strong memory.  Recording was very demanding and nerve wracking, but yet strangely satisfying.

 
 

Brian Thomas


Brian Thomas


Marcus Thomas and Brian Thomas

 
 

Newspaper article promoting Spencer Street Revisited


Brian Thomas with his beloved Fender Stratocaster

 
 

The Vigilantes were once again re-united for the inaugural ROCKONZ Concert in The Christchurch Town Hall, March 2007

 
 

Additional Brian Thomas and Vigilantes information can be found on the Johnny Campbell and The Detours website .....

 
 

Use links to supplementary data www.johnnycampbell.co.nz/vigilantes Use links to supplementary data