The Minors

ROCKHAPPENZ Public Collection

The Minors  —  a 1960s pop and instrumental rock band from Whanganui, New Zealand
Paul Mill (Rhythm Guitar), Graeme Brown (Drums), Leigh Grant Bass Guitar and Roger Brasell (Founder, Guitar/Vocals) .....
Over their active years, from formation in 1962 to the early-to-mid 1960s, the band featured a number of line-up changes with other members including .....
Roger Fairbrother (Lead Guitar), Bryan McIntyre (Piano), George Brickell (Drums), Clive Moon (Drums), Alan Brider (Rhythm Guitar) and Peter Martin (Bass Guitar).

Roger Brasell, Leigh Grant, Alan Brider
and Graeme Brown (bottom)

The last iteration of the Minors at Bushy Park Entrance Gateway
Alan Brider, Peter Martin, Graeme Brown and Roger Brasell

Leigh Grant, Graeme Brown, Alan Brider
and Roger Brasell

The band was started by lead guitarist and vocalist Roger Brasell while he was a student at Whanganui Technical College, and the group was highly active throughout the early-to-mid 1960s.  They initially performed in an instrumental, guitar-driven style heavily inspired by international acts like The Shadows and The Ventures.  The band recorded six singles, initially on the Lexian label, (notably Moontide and Avalanche) both of which were written by Roger Brasell.  They migrated early on to the the major HMV record label.  In March 1964, they achieved mainstream national recognition when they toured New Zealand as part of the Toni Williams Show and made appearances on national television.  They were staples of the vibrant 1960s Whanganui youth dance circuit, frequently playing local venues like St Peter's parish dances, Aramoho, Durie Hill, and The Kaitoke Hall.  They also occasionally featured guest musicians, such as vocalist John Harrison, who later joined another prominent local band, The NuSonics.

The Minors reunited for nostalgic purposes in 2007
Roger Brasell, Graeme Brown, Peter Martin and Alan Brider