The Viscounts

Neville Wilkins Collection

The Viscounts  —  still going strong and celebrating 62 years of performance as at 2024
Dennis Bergham (Bass), Terry Larner (Drums), Neville Wilkins (Trumpet), Ray Harris (Guitar) and Dave Petrie (Keyboards)

The group competed in The Big Beat Dance Band Contest held in February 1965 in Canterbury Court, Christchurch.  Unfortunately they were not successful and The Chants R&B were victorious.  Peter, Paul and The Pursuers were runners-up, with Timaru's Beat Unlimited coming in with third place, and another Timaru band The Kor-Tels in fourth place, out of the six finalists.  The Viscounts' line-up for the contest was Neville Wilkins (Trumpet), Les Wilkins (Alto Saxophone), Bruce Truman (Lead Guitar), Peter Sidery (Rhythm Guitar), Merv Thompson (Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals), Peter Challis (Drums) and Norm Bland (Vocalist).

This group is arguably Christchurch's longest-lasting, most enduring band  —  having been nurtured and maintained by founder Neville Wilkins over what is now more than 60 years.

Click the adjacent hot-link to view The Viscounts family list   —  so many Christchurch musicians have had extensive careers in The Viscounts ..... CLICK HERE

Neville Wilkins (Trumpet), Graeme Wallis (Bass),
Dave Petrie (Keyboards), Christine Williams (Vocals),
Ray Harris (Guitar) and John Wilson (Drums)

The Viscounts entertaining at The Timaru Soundshell, Caroline Bay
Noel Burns (Guest Vocalist), Yvonne Power (Keyboards), Jim Kearns (Bass), Neville Wilkins (Trumpet),
John Wilson (Drums), Albert Collins (Guitar) and Ray Harris (Guitar)

Pat Kearns, Greg Mooney, Bruce Truman, Graeme Wallis,
Ken Richardson, Neville Wilkins and Neil Falconer

Bruce Truman, Greg Mooney, Roger Savage, Les Wilkins,
Graeme Wallis, Peter Talbot, Neville Wilkins

Peter Challis, Les Wilkins, Bruce Truman, Norm Bland,
Peter Sidery, Neville Claughton and Neville Wilkins (at front)

Greg Mooney, Les Wilkins, Kevin (Mouse) James, Dave Wassel, Allan Brown,
Ray Harris and Neville Wilkins (stretched out)

Allan Brown, Bruce Truman, Mike Leigh, Graeme Wallis,
Les Wilkins and Neville Wilkins (at front)

Neville Wilkins, Christine Williams, Ray Harris,
Graeme Wallis and John Wilson

Ray Harris, Rodger Myers, Neville Wilkins
and Christine Williams

Neville Wilkins, Christine Williams, Ray Harris, Graeme Wallis,
John Wilson and Dave Petrie

Additional Neville Wilkins and The Viscounts information is available on this website, along with Colour and Monochrome Image Galleries

www.rockhappenz.com/viscounts.html   º    www.rockhappenz.com/viscounts_family.html

www.rockhappenz.com/viscounts_colour.html   º    www.rockhappenz.com/viscounts_mono.html