The first ever excavation of one of Kiwidoms favourite musical genres and the sound of an entire generation - the 60s guitar instrumental as played by a host of local heroes.

A good example of how much we loved guitar instrumentals can be found in an April 1963 edition of NZs only specialist music magazine at the time ‘Teen Scene’, of the eight local artists and groups featured, four were instrumental groups, one female singer, 2 male singers and a solitary vocal group. The Beatles were already a major force on the world scene but for the time being we were in love with The Shadows and our very own equivalents.

THEMES FROM AN EMPTY COFFEE LOUNGE features 33 guitar instrumental tracks from household names such as Peter Posa, Gray Bartlett, Max Merritt & The Meteors, The Invaders and The Four Fours. Also featured are several bands/artists that were popular in their respective regions, The Minors from Wanganui, The Detours from Christchurch, The Premiers and Toni & The Initials from Wellington and The Rockets from Napier. But even more fascinating are some of the forgotten names, Jim Coyle from Wanganui who wrote several hit songs for Peter Posa and owned an amplifier factory. Kevin Watson still performs today but many people wouldn’t know him or his music, yet as a studio guitarist has played on 100’s of well known local hits from the mid 60s until the late 70s. A group of 12-13 year old schoolboys recorded a demo of ‘Dr No’ in 1963, two years later they would have a lead singer called Larry Morris and become Larry’s Rebels. You can hear Doug Jerebine in 1963 as the lead guitarist of The Embers (nowadays Doug is a cult guitar guru). Two Auckland groups that had a large followings The Sierras and The Al Paget Sextet are also featured alongside young teenager Gary Bayer who’s guitar ability belies his young age while Mauri Chan’s unique style is intoxicating.