Intriguing story of musical restoration, on East FM, Saturday from 3pm
It’s a story of great adventure, courage, spirit and undoubted musical talent and creativity, that of Chris Thompson, and an amazing recording preservation project he and Donald McLeod embarked on a few years ago, so it’s with great pleasure we have them as our NZ Music feature artists on today’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, 7-11pm (NZ time, June 10) on East FM.
Back in the day, there were two young musician songwriters growing up in Hamilton (NZ) named Chris Thompson, and one went on to be a member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.
The Chris Thompson we feature tomorrow is not that one, but equally interesting.
He started out in the Waikato; got a break to be backing guitarist for Julie Felix. Then in London circa 1971 began a solo career involving performances, songwriting and recording. A stint as musician in residence at Trinity College, in Dublin, followed, along with a highly industrious period of playing, recording and no doubt enjoying his OE. By Kiwi standards, it would have been an incredible one in pioneering OE times.
By the mid-1970s, Chris was back home, and he’s continued to play and release albums. He even toured with John Hanlon, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
The story we’ll mostly focus on tomorrow is about his long-lost recordings that were on a 1974 Apple Corps acetate and left in London at EMI Studios before Chris returned to NZ.
They ended up getting moved around to different musical locations in London, before being tracked down by Donald McLeod, of Hamilton, and a team of people across the globe, after 43 years.
Sleeve notes of Drunken Nights in Dublin (2018, Pinenut Records/Chris Thompson) read: ‘Chris Thompson is an internationally recognised folk and blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist. This long lost album is what was meant to have been his second album, available for the very first time in 2018.’
We’ll be talking live at 4pm to Chris Thompson and Donald McLeod about this amazing project to get these 1971-74 recordings that were in London and finally released on vinyl LP, 12”, and CD, in NZ in 2018.
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday, we find out about a very special Kiwi musician, Chris Thompson, and a unique resurrection. – PJ
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.1% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.2% Critical thinking
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30.1% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: Should complete designs be shared with the public, or should the community help shape the designs from the start?
The Post recently shared an opinion piece on the Harbour Crossing and why a more democratic approach might be needed 🚗🚲👟
While most decisions sit within the political arena, many organisations—like NZTA—manage long-term projects that go beyond party lines. Politics can sometimes disrupt progress, and the next Harbour Crossing is a big decision that will affect all Aucklanders.
We’d love your thoughts: Should near-complete, shovel-ready designs be shared with the public, or should the community have a hand in shaping the designs from the start?
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82% Community feedback and transparency is needed.
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18% No. This would be impossible in practice.
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