The Kavaliers
Encyclopedia
The Kavaliers were an early 1960s New Zealand
rock and roll
band, that evolved out of a group called The Zodiacs, and were fronted by Samoan born lead singer Freddie Keil
. They released a string of singles
in the 1960s. The band's name would be resurrected in the 2000s by Freddie's younger brother Alphonso Keil.
label, they recorded on the Zodiac Records
label. As such, they changed their name from the Zodiacs to the Kavaliers. When they were still called the Zodiacs, while Freddie Keil had returned to Western Samoa for a short time, they were fronted by Terry Dean and the Nitebeats singer, Terry Dean (also known as Terry Fidow).
, he left the Keil Isles
and formed The Zodiacs. They would later change their name to Freddie Keil and the Kavaliers. They released eleven singles and an album from 1960 to 1965.
, Herma, Rudolf and Klaus. He was also rhythm guitar player for the Zodiacs. His playing can be heard along with Vic Williams, Jimmy Langabeer and Jimmy Murphy on "Be Bop A Lula" that features on the Pie Cart Rock 'n' Roll compilation. He was also the drummer for Freddie Keil & The Kavalliers. He formed a version of this group many years later in 2002, with lead guitarist Clive Whelan, Warren 'Mac' McInman on rhythm guitar, drummer Andy Shackleton and guitarist Pete Traille. Instead of the group being called The Kavaliers they were now called The Kavalliers.
In addition to being member of various New Zealand rocka nd roll recording groups, Alphonso Keil was an Elvis Presley
impersonater, and well known for his participation in the annual Elvis in the Park concerts in Henderson, Auckland
.
He died in 2008 at age 64 from cancer
, but the rest of the band carried on as The Kavalliers.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band, that evolved out of a group called The Zodiacs, and were fronted by Samoan born lead singer Freddie Keil
Freddie Keil
Freddie Keil was a musician most notable as a member of The Keil Isles in New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s. The former dry cleaner was born in Western Samoa and was part German. He migrated to New Zealand...
. They released a string of singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in the 1960s. The band's name would be resurrected in the 2000s by Freddie's younger brother Alphonso Keil.
The Zodiacs
The Zodiacs were fronted by Freddie Keil on lead vocals. John Murphy was their lead guitarist and Freddie's younger brother Alphonso Keil was the rhythm guitarist. Vic Williams was the drummer and John Harrison the bassist while Jimmy Langabeer played piano. After scuppered plans to record with the La GloriaLa Gloria
La Gloria is a municipality and town in the Department of Cesar, northern Colombia by the Magdalena River.-Geography:La Gloria is situated to the Eastern margin of the Magdalena River, it borders the north with the municipalities of Tamalameque and Pelaya, the south with the municipalities of...
label, they recorded on the Zodiac Records
Zodiac Records (New Zealand)
Zodiac Records was a New Zealand based label founded in 1957 . It was owned by Stebbing Recording and Sound, LTD, headquartered in Auckland; the company also released both 78s and 45s. Artists that released their records on that label included Howard Morrison, Herma Keil The Keil Isles, Ray...
label. As such, they changed their name from the Zodiacs to the Kavaliers. When they were still called the Zodiacs, while Freddie Keil had returned to Western Samoa for a short time, they were fronted by Terry Dean and the Nitebeats singer, Terry Dean (also known as Terry Fidow).
The Zodiacs line up
- Freddie KeilFreddie KeilFreddie Keil was a musician most notable as a member of The Keil Isles in New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s. The former dry cleaner was born in Western Samoa and was part German. He migrated to New Zealand...
, Vocals (Died 1994) - Jimmy Murphy, Lead guitar
- Vic Williams, Drums
- John 'Yuk' Harrison, Bass
- Jimmy Langabeer, Piano
- Alphonso Keil, Rhythm guitar (Died 2008)
- Terry Dean aka Terry Fidow, Vocals
The Kavaliers
After Freddie Keil had some problems with his cousin Herma KeilHerma Keil
Herma Keil along with brothers Olaf, Klaus, Rudolf and cousin Freddie Keil formed The Keil Isles in the 1950s which proved to be a popular hit making band. The band at one stage was billed as Herma Keil & The Keil Isles. He was their lead vocalist for six years from 1960 until 1966. He along with...
, he left the Keil Isles
Keil Isles
The Keil Isles were a New Zealand-based Rock & Roll group which consisted of the Keil Brothers, Olaf, Herman, Rudolf, Klaus and their cousin Freddie Keil. They were all Samoans with German ancestry.-Band history:...
and formed The Zodiacs. They would later change their name to Freddie Keil and the Kavaliers. They released eleven singles and an album from 1960 to 1965.
The Kavaliers line up
- Freddie Keil, Vocals
- Billy Belton, Rhythm Guitar
- Dave Smith, Piano
- Dave Paul, Saxophone
- Brian Smith, Bass Guitar
- Vic Williams, Drums
- Jimmy Murphy, Lead Guitar
- Alphonso Keil, Drums
Freddie Keil And The Kavaliers
- "I Found A New Love" / "Three Nights A Week" - Zodiac Z-1063 - (1961)
- "What About Me" / "Take Good Care Of Her" - Zodiac Z-1079 (1962)
- "The Wanderer" / "Twisting The Night Away" - Zodiac Z-1085 - (1962
- "Should I" / "Its Only A Paper Moon" - Zodiac Z-1105 - (1963)
- "All The Other Boys Are Talking" / "Take These Chains From My Heart" - Zodiac Z-1109 - (1963)
- "Don't Try To Fight It Baby" / "No Signs Of Loneliness Here" - Zodiac Z-1114 - (1963)
- "Girls" / "Learnin', Trying To Forgive" - Zodiac Z-1147- (1963)
The Kavaliers
- "The Twist" / "Tossin' And Turning" Zodiac Z-1082 (1962) - (Note A-side was credited to Freddie Keil)
The Maori Kavaliers
They were a 1960s band that were more or less a spin-off from Freddie Keil & the Kavaliers, rather than an extension of the group. The group consisted of ex Freddie Keil and the Kavaliers members, Brian Smith and Billy Peters. Their name came about because of Smith and Peter's past association with the group.Alphonso Keil and The Kavalliers
Alphonso Keil, the younger brother of Freddie Keil, was born in Samoa in 1944, and was a child when he came to New Zealand. In the late 1950s, he was the rhythm guitarist for a group called The Sundowners. He also played some guitar for the Keil Isles. He was a cousin of founding members OlafOlaf Keil
Olaf Keil was the founder and lead guitarist of New Zealand rock & roll group The Keil Isles, playing on their pre 1963 recordings on the TANZA and Viking record labels. He was also a custom guitar and banjo builder for Fender. He is also the creator of the Keil Midi...
, Herma, Rudolf and Klaus. He was also rhythm guitar player for the Zodiacs. His playing can be heard along with Vic Williams, Jimmy Langabeer and Jimmy Murphy on "Be Bop A Lula" that features on the Pie Cart Rock 'n' Roll compilation. He was also the drummer for Freddie Keil & The Kavalliers. He formed a version of this group many years later in 2002, with lead guitarist Clive Whelan, Warren 'Mac' McInman on rhythm guitar, drummer Andy Shackleton and guitarist Pete Traille. Instead of the group being called The Kavaliers they were now called The Kavalliers.
In addition to being member of various New Zealand rocka nd roll recording groups, Alphonso Keil was an Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
impersonater, and well known for his participation in the annual Elvis in the Park concerts in Henderson, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
He died in 2008 at age 64 from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, but the rest of the band carried on as The Kavalliers.
Members
- Alphonso Keil - died July 2008
- Clive Whelan, Lead Guitar - Retired January 2010
- Bruce Jarvis, Bass/Vocals - Joined 2007
- Warren 'Mac' McInman, Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
- Pete Traille, Lead Guitar/Vocals
- Andy Shackleton, Drums
The Kavalliers in 2010
Since Alphonso Keil died in 2008, the band has continued. Clive Whelan the lead guitarist retired in January 2010. At this point in time the group consists of Pete Traille, Mac McInman, Pete Traille and Andy Shackleton. The group still performs regularly at venues around Auckland New Zealand.Line up
- Pete Traille - Lead Guitar
- Mac McInman - Rhythm Guitar
- Bruce Jarvis - Bass
- Andy Shackleton - Drums