The Satellites
The Satellites are a rock'n'roll group formed and popular in the early 1960s, who are still active in the 2000s. The original lineup of the The Satellites comprised Ken Wadsworth (saxaphone), Dawn Wadsworth (piano) and Ivor Fisher (vocals). Other members of the band at various times were Sonny Murray (bass), Derek Cummings (lg), Tony Edwards (guitar), Morrie Holmes (drums), Trevor Akoorie (lead guitar) and June Paterson (vocals).
The band played regularly at the Starlight Ballroom, and released four singles between 1962 and 1963. "Stranded in Paradise" by John Dix states that The Satellites were a band who gained brief success with an instrumental hit inspired by The Shadows, who visited New Zealand in 1961. Still active in the 2000s, the current line-up is Ken Wadsworth (saxophone), Dawn Finch (piano), Trevor Akoorie (lead guitar), Johnny McIntosh (drums), Wayne Wright (bass) and Ivor Fisher (vocals).
Releases
Breaking Up is Hard to do single, 1962
Venus in Blue Jeans single, 1962
Tell me, Tell me single, 1962
Teenage Heaven single, 1963
Wild One EP, 1960 (by Ivor Fisher with The Satellites and The Reataz)
The Spider and the Fly single, 1960 (by The Reataz and The Satellites)
Sugar Time Twist single, 1962 (by the Harrison Triplets and The Satellites)
Ali Baba by "The Satellites" appears on the 1987 compilation Rock from the Other Side Vol.1
You Haunt Me by "Ivor Fisher and The Satellites" appears on the 1987 compilation Rock from the Other Side Vol.1
Be Bop a Lula by "Ivor Fisher and The Satellites" appears on the 1987 compilation Rock from the Other Side Vol.2
Call On Cupid by "Paul Fisher and The Satellites" appears on the 2004 compilation The Very Best Of Kiwi Rock and Roll
You Haunt Me and Bukeye by "Ivor Fisher and the Satellites" appears on the 2005 compilation Early Rock and Roll from New Zealand - vol 3 and 4
Lookie, Lookie, Lookie and Call On Cupid by "Ivor Fisher with The Satellites" appears on the 2005 compilation Early Rock and Roll from New Zealand - vol 9 and 10
Come Back my Love by "Ivor Fisher with The Satellites" appears on the 2005 compilation Early Rock and Roll from New Zealand - vol 13
Daddy Cool and Fancy Nancy by "The Reataz with The Satellites" appears on the 2005 compilation Early Rock and Roll from New Zealand - vol 9 and 10
Be-Bop-A-Lula and Rave On by "Ivor Fisher with The Reataz & The Satellites" appears on the 2005 compilation Early Rock and Roll from New Zealand - vol 9 and 10
Buckeye appears on the 2005 compilations A Collection Of New Zealand Instrumentals - Vol. 2:Sea Of Clouds
Published Articles
- Re-entry as The Satellites celebrate 50th, Waikato Times, 15 September 2007
