Th' Dudes


Shortly after Th’ Dudes split up in 1980, the band’s bassist Lez White looked back on a whirlwind three years with characteristic sardonic wit, in a song called ‘The Chosen Few’.

The chorus went: “Jesus Christ it's a dream come true/ hanging out with the chosen few/ Catholic boys singing out of tune …”

The poster for the very first Dudes single, 1979
Photo credit: Ian Morris Archive
Ian Morris and Peter Urlich - Windsor Castle, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Dave Dobbyn, Ian Morris, Peter Urlich, Bruce Hambling, Lez White
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
1977 bio
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Ian Morris and Peter Urlich, Windsor Castle, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Th' Dudes reunion - Peter Urlich, 2006
Photo credit: Photo by Jason Hailes
Th' Dudes - Be Mine Tonight live in Christchurch, 1979
Peter and Lez at Island of Real 1978
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Th' Dudes - Be Mine Tonight (Key, 1979)
Th' Dudes - Bliss (Key, 1979)
Th'Dudes at The Island Of Real, 1978
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Chillum, 1975. Photographed somewhere in Auckland is the band that evolved into Th' Dudes. From left are guitarist Andrew Bayliss (a Glendowie neighbour of the Morris brothers), Glenn Owen on bass, Peter Urlich on vocals, and Ian Morris on guitar; hidden is Bruce Murdoch on drums.
Photo credit: Andrew Bayliss collection
Dave Dobbyn, The Windsor, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Bliss
Lez White offers a tutorial on the bass line in 'Bliss'.
Th' Dudes - Right First Time (Key, 1979)
Dave Dobbyn at Island of Real
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Th' Dudes final gig at Mainstreet - Ian Morris naked
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Th' Dudes - Where Are The Boys (Key, 1980)
His first business card, from 1976
Photo credit: Ian Morris Archive
The original line-up, 1977 - Peter Urlich, Peter Coleman, Dave Dobbyn, Ian Morris, Bruce Hambling
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Dave Dobbyn, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
The Cricketers Arms, Wellington 
Dave Dobbyn at The Windsor, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Be Mine Tonight
Peter Coleman, Dave Dobbyn, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
1977 poster for The DB Tavern. In 1981 Peter Urlich turned this same space into his club A Certain Bar
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Rip It Up No.23, June 1979
That Look in in Your Eyes
Dave Dobbyn, Ian Morris, Bruce Hambling, Peter Urlich, Lez White
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Island of Real, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
April 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Th' Dudes - Walking In Light (Key, 1979)
The original lyrics to Bliss, hand-written by Ian Morris and Dave Dobbyn
Photo credit: Ian Morris Archives
Peter Urlich, Peter Coleman, Dave Dobbyn at The Windsor Castle, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Walking in Light
Th' Dudes
Photo credit: Bruce Jarvis
Roadies in the Auckland Star, 1979, including Th'Dude's Richard Morris and the late Keith McKenzie ('McFrenzy')
Photo credit: Richard Morris Collection
Auckland Star, August 20, 1979
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Peter Urlich
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Th' Dudes, January 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Final gig at Mainstreet - Ljinon Manson on vocals, Chris Orange on bass, trying not to look at a naked Ian Morris
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Peter Urlich in the crowd, 2006 reunion
Photo credit: Photo by Jason Hailes
Th' Dudes - Right Second Time (2007, NZ On Screen)
Peter, Ian, Lez - Mainstreet final gig
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Ian Morris, The Windsor Castle, 1977
Photo credit: Ian Morris Collection
Peter Urlich and Ian Morris, Mainstreet 1979
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
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Key

Th’ Dudes were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa in 2019. The Hall of Fame is an initiative of Recorded Music NZ and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), whose support of AudioCulture enables the site to stream music content.
Trivia:

Peter Urlich was a member of the Nice'n'Urlich duo who released three albums of house music in the early 2000s, two of which went platinum, and one gold.

Peter Urlich was breakfast host on George FM from 2002 to 2009.

Members:

Bruce Hambling - drums

Peter Coleman - bass

Ian Morris - guitar

Peter Urlich - vocals

Dave Dobbyn - guitar, vocals

Lez White - bass

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