Steve Tolley Part 1, early days - Manawatu Conversations
- Description
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 26th August 2025. Part 1 of 3. Steve Tolley recalls his earliest musical memories in Bradford, UK, with little music at home.
After moving to New Zealand, he was captivated by pop music, especially The Beatles.
At Palmerston North Boys' High, he attended "disc dances" – radio-broadcast youth discos.
He became involved with the RSA Youth Club, which hosted local live bands on Sundays.
This sparked his interest in the local live music scene, though he never became a musician himself.
He enjoyed local dances and venues like the Astoria Ballroom and Newbury Hall.
In training college, he frequented pubs like the Fitzherbert to see live bands perform.
He developed a passion for alternative and folk music, influenced by friends with large record collections.
Steve and friends would travel to Wellington to buy and trade second-hand records.
He adopted a mild hippie lifestyle – long hair, flared jeans, and platform shoes.
With friends, he helped organise two music festivals at a rural site called Mushroom Mountain about 1973.
He fondly remembers bands like "Straight," who played original music and launched professional careers.
Identification
- Object type
- Audio
- Date
- August 26, 2025