Author(s): John Rowles and Angus Gillies

Biography/Memoir

John Rowles had the popular music world at his feet in Britain in 1969. Managed by Peter Gormley, the same man who ran Cliff Richard's career, Rowles had two hits in the British top 20, 'If I Only Had Time' and 'Hush Not A Word To Mary'. Forty years later John admits that if had stayed in the UK he could have laid the base for a multi-million dollar career. But homesick for the sun, the 21-year-old Kiwi gave it all up for Hawaii in 1970, and signed up as a caberet star at the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach. It had been a sensational rise for the kid from Kawerau who left home at 15 to play guitar. Basing himself in Hawaii, John's stellar career continued with regular trips all over the USA and appearing on television. He travelled back and forth to New Zealand and Australia regularly and released numerous albums, featuring best-selling hits such as 'Cheryl, Moana Marie' and 'Tania'. Following a highly successful Farewell Tour of New Zealand where he performed over 25 sold out two-and-a-half hour shows with his six-piece band, John Rowles recalls a lifetime of achievements in his highly illustrated autobiography. He speaks candidly to Angus Gillies about the highs and lows of his professional and personal life.