Dragon
Along with Split Enz, Dragon were considered one of New Zealand's finest rock exports. Formed in 1972 and based around the Hunter brothers (Mark and Todd), the band has been together for nearly two decades. Their early influences were English rock-based bands and they released two albums in New Zealand, but by the time the band emigrated to Australia in 1975, its leanings were towards silky-smooth, soul-inspired melodies, highlighting the songwriting of Paul Hewson. Hits such as April Sun In Cuba and Are You Old Enough were in the middle of a run of seven Top 10 singles and four Top 20 albums. They were highly popular with the young teenage audience, and yet the band also had a rapport with the older generation. The group were not short of publicity, with frequent newspaper stories on the excesses indulged by the band and the arrogance of its members. Despite the deaths of Hewson and early drummer Neal Storey due to drug overdoses, the band toured extensively but eventually imploded in1979 due to friction between members. Marc Hunter released a solo album and Top 20 single Island Nights, which encouraged him to form his own band to tour and promote the album. 1990 saw him record an album of jazz covers. Todd Hunter collaborated with Johanne Piggott, in the bands XL Capris and Scribble, which received some attention. Dragon re-formed in 1982, releasing several hit singles (co-written with Piggot), again illustrating the talent of the band, which currently consists of the Hunter brothers, who add musicians when needed.