Dragon | Artist

Dragon is a New Zealand rock band formed 1972 in Auckland by Tod Hunter (bass, vocals), Ray Goodwin (guitar, keyboard, vocals), Neil Reynolds (drums) and Graeme Collins (piano, vocals). Within a year the lineup changed to include Tod's brother Marc (lead vocals) and new drummer Neil Storey. The band relocated to Sydney in May 1975 and underwent further changes, with the lineup settling on Tod and Marc, Ray Goodwin (guitar), Robert Taylor (guitar), Neil Storey (drums) and Paul Hewson (keyboards). Dragon had two distinct musical stages, early on in NZ their music had an alternative edge but when they hit Australian shores they focussed on a radio-friendly pop/rock sound. In NZ they recorded two strong progressive rock albums Universal Radio and Scented Gardens for the Blind, both on the Vertigo label. Their first Australian album release was 1977's Sunshine which was something of a mixed bag but did include two break-out singles "This Time" and "Same Old Blues". Then came the slightly stronger Running Free (1977) with the hit song "April Sun in Cuba" followed by their commercial breakthrough album O Zambezi, which contained the hits "Still in Love With You" and "Are You Old Enough". The band went on to record a total of 15 studio albums to-date, which saw them cement their status as one of Aust/NZ's most popular bands. Tragically, Marc Hunter was diagnosed with severe throat cancer and died on 17 July 1998. After an extended hiatus Todd Hunter reformed Dragon in 2006 with a line-up including ex-pat Kiwi Mark Williams on lead vocals. One interesting side-note; the band attempted a breakthrough into the American market on tour supporting Johnny Winter in November 1978, but this was derailed after a disastrous show in Dallas, Texas, at which Marc Hunter incited the crowd by suggesting all Texans were "faggots" and left the stage under a hail of flying beer bottles.

Artist Website: dragononline.com.au

Featured Albums: Dragon

Related Artists: Marc Hunter, Billy TK's Powerhouse, Kevin Borich Express, Human Instinct, Tommy Emmanuel

Video Clips: This Time, Education, April Sun in Cuba