As co-leaders of The Sam Ford Verandah Band and The Neighbours, Sam Ford and Trudi Green built up a loyal following by playing New Zealand towns, big and small, from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. In 1999 the musical couple moved to London, where they continue to make music as a trio called Soulahula.
I first came across Sam and Trudi in 1981 when they were in The Neighbours with Rick Bryant, then one of the hardest working live bands in New Zealand. Trudi commanded attention with her raspy Cockney accent and blonde hair. Sam, a small, wiry man, led the band, sharing vocals and playing fluid rhythm guitar. Rick Bryant, a much slimmer presence then, roared upfront.
Sam and Trudi backed Red Mole on their final 1980 tour of New Zealand.
Sam and Trudi toured widely with The Topp Twins in the early 1980s.
Filmmaker Gaylene Preston spent a week in Blackball shooting videos of the band for their mini-album The Only One You Need.
Sam now works for London’s National Gallery where he transports expensive masterpieces around the world.
Sam Ford's Verandah Band performed at the Nambassa festival in 1979.
Sam Ford - guitar, vocals
Trudi Green - vocals