One of New Zealand's most popular entertainers from the 1970s, Alec Wishart, has died.
Alec Wishart Photo: NZ On Screen screenshot
Wishart, who was 76, was co-founder of the band Hogsnort Rupert, which had a huge hit with the song Pretty Girl.
This was famous for its catch line, 'Come on my lover, give us a kiss,' which was delivered in an English West Country twang.
A later hit was Aunty Alice Bought us This, which is still played on classic hits pop stations.
The band continued performing years after its early popularity faded.
Dave Luther co-founded the band with Wishart and was the guitarist and song wittier for the group.
The pair were both born in England and came to New Zealand as assisted migrants.
They met when their two Wellington soccer teams amalgamated.
Mr Luther said Wishart had never been in a band before and could not play an instrument but responded immediately to the sort of music he played.
"He had a great feel and a great liking for the sort of music I liked.
"We seemed to click. You could say to Alec 'I want you to do this in this particular song' and he would do it.
"He also had a flair for playing percussion, like a washboard, bongos, or tambourine, that sort of thing."
Alec Wishart, centre, and his Hogsnort Rupert band members perform Pretty Girl in 1970. Photo: NZ On Screen screenshot
Wishart was a very kind and gentle person, and had a great personality on stage, he said.
Luther himself had a later hit with the song, "Life Begins at Forty."
