Dragon Announce 40th Anniversary Tour

Classic rockers Dragon have announced an extensive New Zealand tour in celebration of the bands 40th anniversary. The band formed in 1972, relocated to Australia in 1975 and released a string of hits in the late 70s.  The tour will kick off mid October in Palmerston North and will make its way down to Invercargill before finishing up in Auckland early November. See below for the full tour info, here are those hits...

'April Sun in Cuba' (1977)

'Are You Old Enough' (1978)

'Still In love With You' (1978)

'Rain' (1983)

Press Release:

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO - 40th ANNIVERSARY TOUR OF NZ

With special guests Hello Sailor & Hammond Gamble Band

Brent Eccles Entertainment, The Sound and Juice TV are thrilled to announce the return of iconic Australasian rock band Dragon on their 14 date, 40th Anniversary National tour of New Zealand this October and November.

Tickets to all shows will go on sale Monday, 27 August at 9.00am – tour dates and venues listed below.

Since their formation in the early ‘70’s Dragon have infused the hearts and consciousness of generations of New Zealanders and Australian’s with their raft of infectious hit songs such as ‘April Sun in Cuba’; ‘Are You Old Enough?’, ‘Still in Love With You’, ‘Rain’, ‘Young Years’ ‘Cry’ and ‘Dreams of Ordinary Men’.

Dragon were the kings of the late 70’s/early 80’s touring scene and emperors of excess, the band’s live show was unsurpassed and their rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle will go down in music industry history folklore for generations to come. Selling over one million records in the mid-70’s before disbanding for the first time in 1979, they then reformed in 1982 selling a further million records worldwide before breaking up for the second time in 1997.

Dragon as a band has experienced tragedy and infamy over the last four decades with several band members having since passed, notably, gifted lead singer Marc Hunter who tragically died in 1998.

On July 1, 2008 the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) recognised Dragon's iconic status when they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

If nothing else, Dragon is an enduring entity. Reuniting in 2006, the current line up comprises; Todd Hunter (Bass Guitar), Mark Williams (Lead Vocals), Bruce Reid (Guitar) and Pete Drummond (Drums) who for the last six years have continued to blaze across stages safeguarding the riches of past yet igniting new energy into classic Dragon songs.

To coincide with the 40th Anniversary Tour founding member Todd Hunter and Liberation Music have put together a very special limited 2CD release celebrating this landmark occasion. ‘The Dragon Years - 40th Anniversary Collection’ 2CD will be released in September and features a 40 track full career retrospective covering all the original hits with legendary kiwi frontman Marc Hunter on disc one and collective works since reforming in 2006 with the current lineup featuring kiwi vocalist Mark Williams on the second disc.

Joining Dragon on their 40th Anniversary jaunt are Kiwi mainstay rockers Hello Sailor and legendary blues singer/guitarist Hammond Gamble.

2012 marks Hello Sailors 37th anniversary, In 2011 they were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame with presenter Peter Urlich proclaiming Sailor as being: ‘the vanguard of a new wave of NZ artists’ in the late 70’s that opened up a brave new world of original music and entertainment.’ To coincide with the tour Hello Sailor release an album of new material in October entitled ‘Surrey Crescent Moon’.

Completing the stellar line-up, award winning blues singer/guitarist and all-round nice guy, Hammond Gamble and his band will set the tone for the night performing a mix of familiar and newer songs from Hammond’s 2008 album ’90 Mile Days’.

This October and November revel, reconnect and rejoice with Dragon on their 40th Anniversary tour of New Zealand.

DRAGON 40th ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL TOUR DATES:

OCTOBER:

TUES 16 PALMERSTON NORTH THE REGENT ON BROADWAY
Bookings: TICKETDIRECT Ph: 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz

WED 17 WELLINGTON THE OPERA HOUSE
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

THURS 18 NEW PLYMOUTH THE MAYFAIR
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

FRI 19 OWHANGO OWHANGO HOTEL
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

SAT 20 MOUNT MAUNGANUI BREWERS FIELD
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

SUN 21 GISBORNE FEAST GISBORNE
Bookings: www.feastgisborne.co.nz

WED 24 INVERCARGILL CIVIC THEATRE
Bookings: TICKETDIRECT Ph: 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz

THURS 25 DUNEDIN SAMMY’S
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

FRI 26 CHRISTCHURCH THE BEDFORD
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

SUN 28 NELSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Bookings: TICKETDIRECT Ph: 0800 224 224 or www.ticketdirect.co.nz

TUES 30 NAPIER MUNICIPAL THEATRE
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

WED 31 HAMILTON FOUNDERS THEATRE
Bookings: TICKETEK Ph: 0800 842 538 or www.ticketek.co.nz

NOVEMBER:

THURS 1 ROTORUA CIVIC THEATRE
Bookings: Ticketmaster Ph: 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz

FRI 2 AUCKLAND POWERSTATION
Bookings: Ticketmaster Ph: 0800 111 999 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz

On Sale Date: 9.00am, Monday 27, August