Archive: The New Zealand show – 5th November 2011 @ the “Powerstation” Auckland, with Dragon and Hello Sailor. Ticket ‘steals’ the show, with rave reviews from the NZ Herald: read the review here. TICKET New Zealand’s ultimate acid blues band dominated the underground music scene from 1971-73 down under.  With searing Hendrix inspired guitar from Eddie Hansen, soaring vocals from Trevor Tombleson and a driving rhythm section (Paul Woolwright – Bass & Rick Ball – Drums) they produced two highly sought after LPs, ‘Awake’ and ‘Let Sleeping Dogs Lie’ during the original line up.  These LPs are collectors items the world over and mint copies sell in excess of $300-400. Ticket MKI parted company in 1973.  Eddie Hansen, disillusioned and tired of the music industry struggles and rip-offs, had decided to call it quits.  Hansen eventually reformed Ticket temporarily during 74-75; the MkII line-up including ex-Space Farm bass player Billy Williams and drummer Glen Absolum. [For the record there was never a Steve Gunn in the band.] In MkIII Absolum was replaced with Danny Davidson.  But no album was released and the band eventually went their separate ways. Trevor Tombleson moved to  the UK (with Ticket MKIII members Williams and Davidson). The ex-pats auditioned for Keef Hartley’s former band ‘Dog Solider’. Tombleson was offered a place with the band but turned it down when it transpired his antipodean friends had been rejected. He then toured Europe with a number of bands during the mid 70s (including the Eagles and Chicago) but returned to Sydney when called back by (now) ‘Monsoon’ band members Williams and Ray Goodwin (Dragon-Guitarist & Song writer). At the end of the 70s he left the music industry for 30 years.  These days he resides in the Cook Islands. Ricky Ball and Paul Woolwright hooked up with ‘Hello Sailor’ and their various solo acts that followed (Dave McCartney & the Pink Flamingos, Graham Brazier’s Legionnaires and Harry Lyon). For 30 years they remained the top rhythm players in NZ, in constant demand. After the demise of Ticket, Eddie Hansen joined forces temporarily with Link’s Dave Kennedy (in Rock Squad) but that didn’t last and Kennedy moved to the UK.  Hansen took a break, but he couldn’t stay away and eventually formed “Living Force” with ex-Space Farm guitarist and good friend Harvey Mann, with drummer Glen Absolum and several others.  The band was together during 1978-79. Absolum...

LINK – HIGHWAY DRIVER, great southern rock from 1973.  Written by Glyn Tucker. This song was the b side to their hit single ‘Only Time Could Let Us Know’ and is an excellent rocker in its own right. It can be found on a compilation CD titled “Under the Southern Moonlight” Link MKI were: Dave Kennedy (Guitar/Vocals), Dave Gillies (Keyboards), Nev Claugton (Bass), Craig Nicholson (Drums). Rhythm section players changed several times over the few years the band were together.  Nev Claugton was replaced by (ex-Chapta) bassist Dick Whatson, who was later replaced by Bryan Gerrad.   Craig Nicholson’s replacement was Chris Fox, who was later replaced by Ron Mahony.  Link broke up at the end of 1975. Photography by KEVIN...