Dave Hartstone
When his bandmates returned home to New Zealand after 18 months of touring and recording in the UK, former Four Fours and Human Instinct guitarist Dave Hartstone went on to supply live mixing desks and sound systems that revolutionised big stadium and outdoor concerts throughout the UK and US.
Years earlier, Hartstone joined Tauranga band The Four Fours, who had a hit in 1965 with the instrumental ‘Theme From An Empty Coffee Lounge’. He used his electrical engineering skills to develop on-stage gimmickry such as mounting gooseneck microphones on the horns of their guitars, giving the band members freedom to roam the stage.
Dave Hartstone with The Human Instinct in the UK, circa 1967
The Human Instinct in London. From left: Frank Hay, Dave Hartstone, Bill Ward, Maurice Greer
The Four Fours - Theme From An Empty Coffee Lounge
Dave Hartstone
Dave Hartstone with The Four Fours
Dave Hartstone at the wheel of his charter yacht Taboo
The Four Fours with Dave Hartstone second from the left
The IES truck at the Isle of Wight Festival, 1968
The Heil IES front of house MAVIS desks with The Who’s Next tour
Dave Hartstone and Frank Hay with The Four Fours