Norm Bland

Norm Bland - from an early publicity shot with The Viscounts

Norman Bland was was educated at Christchurch West High School where he displayed considerable musical aptitude, and took the leading role in school operas.  He joined Neville Wilkin's Viscounts Show Band in 1963 and didn't look back from there.  His first residency was in 1965 at The Copper Cat in Christchurch with the new Rhythm 'n Bland outfit.  In 1967 he took up a new residency at The Plazza Lounge with The Village Gate, and this lasted until Norm eventually retired in 1976 to focus on his business activites.  2005 saw Norm getting involved in Peter Sowden's brainchild band About Time, and Norm remained musically active with this group up until its demise.  He has recently very successfully reinvented Rhythm 'n Bland as a one man Rock 'n Roll show featuring the sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Norm Bland with the iteration of the Viscounts which (minus Neville and
Les Wilkins) would become Rhythm 'n Bland (resident at The Copper Cat)

Norm Bland (left) with The Village Gate circa 1971
(resident at The Plaza Lounge

Norm Bland with About Time at the Friday SSR Concert 2006

Norm Bland with About Time at the Friday SSR Concert 2006

Norm Bland leads the finale at the Friday SSR Concert 2006

Spencer Street Revival Poster 2006

Additional Norm Bland information is available on the following websites .....

Viscounts  —  Village Gate  —  About Time