Chris Bourke

Beatles, The: Taylor of Savile Row: Derek Taylor, 1932-1997

Obituary by Chris Bourke, New Zealand Herald, September 1997

DEREK TAYLOR, WHO will forever be known as "the Beatles' press officer", leant across and switched my tape recorder to "pause". I had just admitted ...

Tony Bennett: Take the L Train

Interview by Chris Bourke, Listener (New Zealand), April 1995

AUCKLAND HAD TWO music legends in town over Easter Weekend. While the Rolling Stones dazzled the Western Springs ampitheatre with millions of dollars of high ...

Solomon Burke: King Solomon

Interview by Chris Bourke, Real Groove (New Zealand), July 2002

WHEN SOLOMON BURKE makes an entrance, it's obvious that royalty has arrived. I once witnessed the self-proclaimed King of Rock'n'Soul take the stage. It was ...

Crowded House: Paul Hester, 1959-2005

Obituary by Chris Bourke, Sunday Star-Times (New Zealand), April 2005

PAUL HESTER was known as "Hester the Jester," the clown prince of Crowded House. He was the one who gave the band its personality on ...

Steve Earle: Lonesome Dove: Steve Earle Puts the Celtic into Country

Interview by Chris Bourke, Rip It Up (New Zealand), December 1988

"Ring Steve Earle," said the message. "Area code 615 ..." ...

Donnie Fritts: Leanin' Man from Alabam'

Interview by Chris Bourke, Real Groove (New Zealand), April 1998

DONNIE FRITTS MAY be one of the unsung heroes of American music, but a peek inside his address book shows how his talents are appreciated. ...

Gerry & The Pacemakers: Gerry Marsden's Beating Heart

Profile and Interview by Chris Bourke, New Zealand Herald, March 1997

GERRY MARSDEN will never walk alone. All he needs to do is go to Anfield and watch his beloved Liverpool football team. He can sit ...

Billy Idol: I Am Still the Greatest Says Billy Idol

Interview by Chris Bourke, Rip It Up (New Zealand), September 1987

At the age of 14, Johnny Angelo was a heartthrob. He had three-inch sideboards and he wore his hair swept high in a golden quiff. ...

Randy Newman: Thunderclap Newman: Randy, Poet Laureate of New Orleans

Interview by Chris Bourke, Real Groove (New Zealand), July 1994

I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED what Southerners think of Randy Newman's Good Old Boys, his 1974 concept album about the American Deep South. With its sardonic but ...

Graham Parker: Stick To Me: Graham Parker Looks Back In Anger

Interview by Chris Bourke, Rip It Up (New Zealand), November 1988

GRAHAM PARKER was a contender. Short, with a reason to live, he kicked the late 70s into life with a passion and fury that was ...

Tony Joe White: Highway Blues

Report and Interview by Chris Bourke, Rip It Up (New Zealand), November 1993

AS YOU DRIVE south out of Memphis down Highway 61, the trees and houses stop at the edge of the city limits. On either side ...

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Simon Napier-Bell, Svengali

Interview by Chris Bourke, Rip It Up (New Zealand), August 1988

SIMON NAPIER-BELL'S reputation has preceded him. He's used to that. "Some people are wary of me," he says. "So it's difficult to know what a ...