Highway


They were the hottest live band in Wellington in 1970, and in 1971 made fans up and down the two islands with their tour of universities, and they even made a well-received album, but just a few years later, Highway were already fading from memory.

The brief story of Highway didn’t re-emerge until NZ Listener critic Nick Bollinger included the self-titled Highway in his book 100 Essential New Zealand Albums (2009), after which it got its just deserts: a handsome CD reissue.

Highway: From left George Barris, Bruce Sontgen, George Limbidis, Jim Lawrie and Phil Pritchard.
Listen To The Band
Highway: George Barris, Jim Lawrie, Phil Pritchard, George Limbidis and Bruce Sontgen
Photo credit: Jim Lawrie Collection
Highway at Monsalvat, Eltham, Victoria, September 1971: Phil Pritchard, Jim Lawrie, George Limbidis, Bruce Sontgen and George Barris
Jim Lawrie with Highway
The 1971 self-titled Highway album
Trivia:

Earlier in 1971 they recorded their only single, ‘The Time Is The Time’/’What You’re Doing To Me’, thoughtfully included on the reissue.

Their album was recorded in just two nights at Wellington’s HMV studios.

Members:

George Barris - guitar

Phil Pritchard - guitar

George Limbidis - bass

Jim Lawrie - drums

Bruce Sontgen - vocals

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