Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

27 May, 2012

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RNZ Home > National > Programmes > Saturday Music Features > Revolution Rock: The Clash In New Zealand

Revolution Rock: The Clash In New Zealand

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Clash’s three-city tour of New Zealand in February 1982.

4:06pm Saturday 4 and 8:35pm Friday 10 February 2012

Clash in New Zealand 1982 Revolution Rock: Featuring interviews with Andrew Schmidt, Deejay Dubhead, Benny Staples, Jonathan King, Haunui Royal, Adam Holt, Stewart Macpherson, Paul Rose, Jonathan Ganley, John Campbell, Martin Devlin, Michael Higgins and Dave Yetton who recall the influential February 1982 tour of New Zealand by The Clash. 4 February 2012. (duration: 23′29″)

Bonus Audio

Clash Topper Headon interview Wellington 1982: Audio donated by Peter Johnston. (duration: 8′24″)
Clash Joe Strummer interview Wellington 1982: Interviewer Peter Johnston, who donated this historic audio explains: "I was programme director of RadioActive in 1982, my second year of varsity. Whenever an overseas band came to town, we would pester the promotions people at the record companies for an interview/press conference invite. So I called the guy at CBS and got an invite to the press conference. This was initially to be held at the Railway Station, but when the record company people arrived they got freaked out by a couple of punks waiting outside and thought that word had leaked (I'd been sworn to secrecy, CBS were really worried about gatecrashers for some reason). So the venue changed to a floating crane barge or something that was tied up to the wharf. We made a beeline for Joe as soon as the band arrived. Not sure the other media people there had any idea who the members of the band were anyway! Then we chatted to Topper for a bit - the other two guys (Mick and Paul) were being far too cool for school. Meeting Joe Strummer was unforgettable." (duration: 7′28″)

The Clash. This was the first tour by a British punk band since the movement began 6 years earlier. New Zealand had one of the most active punk scenes in the world and fans were more than ready to welcome The Clash when they finally arrived. Among those fans were future TV presenter John Campbell, radio personality Martin Devlin, filmmaker Jonathan King and others who share their memories of the historic tour that helped shaped the sound of New Zealand music.