Holidaymakers


Best remembered for their No.1 hit 'Sweet Lovers' in June 1988, the members of Holidaymakers had their roots in a series of Wellington bands that included The Rodents, Hulamen and the short-lived Tombolas.

The soul/funk tradition went back to the 1960s in Wellington and from 1976 to 1979, Rick Bryant kept the flame alive with his touring band Rough Justice, which included a young Stephen Jessup, who in the 1980s went on to play in Hulamen, The Tombolas and Holidaymakers.

The Holidaymakers visit Auckland, 1988 (L-R): Barbara Griffin, Andrew Clouston, Peter Marshall, Mara Finau, Stephen Jessup, Pati Umaga, and Richard Caigou
The Holidaymakers, in a 1988 Pagan publicity image taken by Sal Criscillo, who photographed many HMV acts in the 1960s. Clockwise from Stephen Jessup in the hat: Andrew Clouston, Barbara Griffin, Pati Umaga, Richard Caigou, Peter Marshall, and Mara Finau. Centre: John McDougall.
Photo credit: Sal Criscillo
The Holidaymakers with a young friend, from left: Peter Marshall, Barbara Griffin, Richard Caigou, Stephen Jessup (sitting), Andrew Clouston, Pati Umaga, Mara Finau (sitting), Dave Armstrong.
Photo credit: Murray Cammick Collection
Fane Flaws' cover for Sweet Lovers
The Holidaymakers check out the Harbour Lights Motel, Parnell, 1988. From left: Mara Finau, Pati Umaga, Barbara Griffin, Richard Caigou, Peter Marshall, Stephen Jessup, and Andrew Clouston.
Photo credit: Murray Cammick collection
Sweet Lovers
Trivia:

Sweet Lovers is a cover of a Bill Withers song, originally titled We Could Be Sweet Lovers.

Sweet Lovers spent six weeks on top of the NZ Singles Chart and remained in the charts for 22 weeks. The song won several awards at the 1988 New Zealand Music Awards including Single Of The Year.

Labels:

Pagan

Members:

Richard Caigou - drummer

Andrew Clouston - tenor sax

Mara Finau - vocals

Barbara Griffin - keyboards

Stephen Jessup - guitar

Peter Marshall - vocals

Pati Umaga - bass

John McDougall - guitar

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