Patsy Riggir


During the 1980s when country music was a major player on the New Zealand music landscape, Patsy Riggir was probably its best-loved performer. By the end of that decade she had two double platinum and three platinum-selling albums, she’d hosted her own television series, won five Golden Guitars in Tamworth and appeared twice on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fans took her to heart due to the sincerity of her delivery and her humble, down-to-earth approach that often found her chatting post-show, posing for photographs and signing all manner of things from serviettes to cigarette packets until the last punter had gone home.

Patsy Riggir prior to her recording career
Patsy Riggir, You’ll Never Take The Country Out Of Me photoshoot, 1984
Moonlight and Roses (1992)
Noel Parlane and Patsy Riggir on TV during the 1980s
Patsy’s debut album, recorded at EMI Studios in Wellington and released in 1980. Produced by Dick Le Fort and engineered by Frank Douglas, the album featured an all-star line up of musicians and backing singers including Neil Edwards, Jimmy Hill, Brendan Power, Red McKelvie, Gray Bartlett and Brendan Dugan. The cover was designed by Kevin Dunkley with photography by Steve Prendergast and Terry Crowe.
A CBS publicity shot for Patsy Riggir, You’ll Never Take The Country Out Of Me, 1984
Patsy Riggir and Noel Parlane - Love Is No Excuse
Patsy Riggir - Let The Rest Of The World Go By (1992)
Patsy Riggir’s autograph to the writer, 1983
Patsy Riggir in wig and partner Lorne Gordon-Watkins as they appeared in the Putaruru Theatre Players’ production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, 1984.
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir with engineer Tony Moan (left) and producer Rob Aickin at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s
Patsy Riggir with the inaugural Gold Guitar Trophy, Gore, 1974
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir - The Greatest Gift Of All (1985)
Patsy Riggir in 1986
Patsy Riggir and her father Jack, competing on a radio talent quest 1XH Hamilton.
The 1983 poster for the Wellington State Opera House performance by The Patsy Riggir Country Music Show
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir - Are You Lonely (1982), produced by Rob Aickin.
Patsy Riggir with the Rotorua Golden Clef Awards major trophy, 1976
More platinum albums for Patsy Riggir in the mid-1980s. Left to right: Eldred and Margaret Stebbing, Patsy Riggir and mum Betty.
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Patsy Riggir and producer Rob Aickin at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s
My Little Corner Of The World (1993)
Patsy Riggir having received her QSM at Government House, Wellington, with mum Betty and partner Lorne Gordon-Watkins, 1994
Never Ending Songs Of Love (2003)
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir - Lay Down Beside Me (1981), produced by Rob Aickin.
Patsy Riggir in the 1970s
Patsy Riggir - Break My Mind (Opportunity Knocks, 1976)
You Remind Me Of A Love Song (1985)
Patsy Riggir and producer Rob Aickin at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s.
Patsy Riggir in wig and partner Lorne Gordon-Watkins as they appeared in the Putaruru Theatre Players’ production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, 1984.
Patsy Riggir and US country music pioneer Ernest Tubb at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennesse, in the early 1980s
Patsy Riggir with engineer Tony Moan (left) and producer Rob Aickin at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s
Photo credit: Grant Gillanders Collection
Patsy Riggir - Beautiful Lady (1985)
Patsy Riggir at an EMI promotional event in Putaruru, circa 1980. Patsy is with EMI's Lachie Rutherford.
Photo credit: Photo by Grace Cardwell Scouller
Patsy Riggir having just got the news she had been named NEBOA Entertainer of the Year, 1983
Patsy Riggir prior to her recording career
A young Patsy Riggir
Close to Thee (1987)
Five-year-old Patsy Riggir having won a talent quest on Radio 1XH Hamilton
Patsy Riggir
Eldred Stebbing and Patsy Riggir with platinum album plaques, 1983
Patsy Riggir with the Rotorua Golden Clef Awards major trophy, 1976
Patsy Riggir with engineer Tony Moan (left) and producer Rob Aickin at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s.
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir
Patsy Riggir and father Jack
Patsy Riggir - Silver Wings
Patsy Riggir admiring a long since forgotten trophy at Stebbing Recording Studios in the early 1980s
The live Patsy Riggir Country album (1986)
Patsy Riggir on the TV Special Patsy Riggir – Beautiful Lady, 1985
Patsy Riggir and her father Jack performing in the King Country during the early 1950s
Patsy Riggir promoting the release of Lay Down Beside Me, Queen Street, Auckland, 1981
Five-year-old Patsy Riggir having won a talent quest on Radio 1XH Hamilton
Patsy Riggir promoting the release of Lay Down Beside Me, Queen Street, Auckland, 1981
Patsy Riggir's awards, gold and platinum discs, and other memories
A still from the Patsy Riggir Country TV series, 1986
Patsy Riggir backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, 1981
Liberated Lady (1990)
Labels:

EMI


Epic


Rajon Music Group

Trivia:

Patsy Riggir won consecutive Golden Guitars for Female Vocalist of the Year at the Australasian Country Music Awards in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and the Top Selling LP Golden Guitar in 1987 for Patsy Riggir Country.

Patsy Riggir met her long-time partner Lorne Gordon-Watkins when they had the lead roles in the Putaruru Theatre Players’ production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1984.

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