I worked for the Classical/Educational Division of Alberts from 1976 -1979. My office was on the 5th floor and adjoined the recording studio where Dragon recorded 'April Sun in Cuba.' I was in my late teens. There was a Steinway grand in my office, brought from Boomerang, the Albert Family mansion. Whenever I had a moment free, I would play, even compose at it. One day, I was working on a piece and looked up to see a tall young man standing at my office door listening. He had coloured streaks in his hair and wore a long flowing scarf. I signalled for him to come in. He entered, and sat down on one of the blue leather chairs by the piano. I did not know who he was. He said the music I was working on reminded him of Ravel. We spoke about French classical music. He told me he was recording with his group in the studio, and promised to visit with me again. It was Marc Hunter. At the time, and mostly because my musical interests and work at Alberts centred around classical/educational publications, I had no idea who he was. Neither did he elaborate much on himself. We just spoke as if we were friends and true to his word, whenever he was at Alberts to record, he would always visit with me, and talk about music. I would play for him. If ever we passed in the corridor outside my office, he would bow to me with a flourish and swirl of his scarf. Marc was a gentleman through and through. At one time, I gave to him a small gold crucifix simply to thank him for the times he spent with me. He was a kind and caring soul. And so elegant in how he carried himself. A true stylist. After leaving Alberts in 1979, I never really saw him again. But my memory of him was such that when decades later he died, I cried. I will still shed a tear for him from time to time. He was a good good man! Someone I will never forget.
A wonderful story and one that exemplifies everything I believed Marc to be as a man without ever having known him. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us all.
What a band! They gave so much to us Aussies in the 70's and 80's. Great songs that are still covered by Aussie bands. A band I was in did a few Dragon covers but so amazing that there are no chord charts online for many of their songs.
Dragon ❤ were one of my favourite groups ❤ had a crush on Marc Hunter. Still listen to them regularly. Are you old enough? This time April Sun in Cuba Rain ❤
What an awesome documentary. Agree about how open Aussies are . Moved from NZ in 2011 and havent looked back . Wouldn’t move back as much as I love NZ . The guys were so much more than brilliant musicians . Correct me if I’m wrong , they were the resident band for a while at a club in Auckland , down queen street , beside the civic theatre (think it was club 21) . Thanks for the amazing music 🎶
@@eamonstafford2056 haha, nope have never lived there, and have no wish to live in such a racist country, we don't need meds here, our country is one of the most beautiful in the world. Thank you for your advice, I'm thinking you must be a Doctor to make such a comment.
Saw them whenever they came to Adelaide. When they were ‘on’ they were incendiary, but at times they were way less than that. Still, the band I prefer to remember in the incendiary one. Mighty, mighty times. Todd was a thundering bass player and great harmonist, and Marc, well, I loved him, he was a genuine force of nature…
I got to play a solo support for them a few years ago in some suburban tavern in Brisbane. Mark Williams was on vox. They played a great set. The band and crew were very nice people.
I remember seeing Dragon in 1974 in Granny's, a club owned by Tommy Adderley in Auckland. They were a prog band then, Universal Radio and Scented Gardens still grace the turntable. Then they did a 'Genesis' and kind of sold out. Happy daze though
My Dad worked at Kings Cross Police station back in the day and was well aquainted with Marc. Lol. Dad knew that I had a big teenage crush on Marc and got his autograph for me a few times. I was over the moon of course..
I’m a kiwi , live in Australia, it’s funny but they were probably more popular per head in Australia than Nz . They got air play in Nz but didn’t have that same loyal fan base , around the April sun in Cuba days Aussies loved them , they were massive . It’s complex , but bands like dragon were massive in the suburbs , the inner city crowd were usually more into alternative rock that didn’t get commercial airplay, it was the post punk era . Nz had an alternative inner city rock crowd too , but didn’t have those massive music venues out in the burbs for the average joe blogs as well like Australia, just local smaller pubs with cover bands and rugby clubs lol .
Great reminder of a great band, Marcs frustration with NZ culture seems a bit prophetic fast forward 2023. Saw them early 90s supporting Elton John Western Springs, we left when they finished their set, only went to see them.
@@taniagilbody1745 ha ha the indigenous people treated pretty well. Australia spends approx $14 billion on 500,000 people theconversation.com/factcheck-qanda-is-30-billion-spent-every-year-on-500-000-indigenous-people-in-australia-64658. So next time you open your big mouth do some research .
Todd built like a brick shithouse as Bazza McKenzie may have observed. Like his father before him and the gift of music came through that line too it seems. Observant lads the Hunters. Marc a loose cannon but had his days in the sun. Shame what happened in the end for him. Continue to leave a legacy though. Excellent posting this.
A few kiwis would have and will struggle with some comments by Marc. As an Australian who left asap and never went back, I understand what he was saying. There is nothing wrong or right, either way. Just live your life to the max. It is short and goes very quickly!! Two thing are 100% certain, Dragon isn't the same without Marc and Marc was one of those incredibly intelligent, talented people but who underneath had no bravado and was a soft soul. His kind are few and far between.
Nice little bitter dig at Split Enz for being too arty and kiwi. Well sorry guys, Dragon was great but Split Enz was the bigger band, both commercially and in terms of impact and reputation. Facts :
I don’t think I’m a hugely nationalistic Kiwi so understand where Marc is coming from. It just what it is with regard to population and main source of income.
This must be a hard watch for kiwis . To hear their beloved dragon swear allegiance to Australia . Saying that ,dragon were nothing until they came to Oz. Thats when they flourished so in this case ,i would tend to say dragon arr more an Australian band than kiwi .controversial but realistic
