The Rumour


From Huntly, The Rumour grew out of the earlier high school band The Sapphires who became The Surfires and recorded three singles for Zodiac Records in the mid-1960s.

Twins Shade and Gerard Smith fronted the band with Ross Hindman and Jacques Koolen as the rhythm section.

A publicity photo taken in Cornwall Park Auckland in early 1971. L-R Gerard Smith, Sjaaki Koolen, Ross Hindman, Shade Smith
Photo credit: Shade Smith collection
1972's Land Of New Vigour And Zeal, Shade Smith's concept album exploring New Zealand's character and identity. Using photographs by Sal Criscillo, the album cover was designed by Dale Wrightson.
The cover of this 1973 compilation features a photograph of the short-lived two man line- up of the band. Using the Reserve Bank's inflation calculator the album would cost $48.03 in 2014!
The Rumour at Judy (Chicks) Donaldson's wedding to Ross Hindman
Photo credit: Courtesy of The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand
A publicity shot to promote the debut album Garden of Smiles. Taken in Cornwall Park Auckland early 1971. L-R Sjaaki Koolen, Gerard Smith, Shade Smith, Ross Hindman
Photo credit: Shade Smith collection
Compilation from 1972 made up of tracks from the band's first two albums and three new tracks - covers of Our House, Leaving On A Jet Plane, and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.
The reformed line-up in a 1977 publicity shot for the Queen Of Paradise single. L-R Shade Smith, Sjaaki Koolen, Gerard Smith
Photo credit: Shade Smith collection
John McCready signing The Rumour, to Polydor, 1970. Pictured is songwriter Shade Smith.
The 2009 Rumour Collection
Gerard Smith and Sjaaki Koolen in a Fullers Agency publicity shot. Fullers, owned by Phil Warren, both booked and managed (via Ray Columbus who worked for Fullers) The Rumour, however the relationship with Warren did not end well with a series of heated letters exchanged between the parties.
Photo credit: Phil Warren Collection
Garden Of Smiles, The Rumour's debut album from 1971 that includes their Number 1 hit L'Amour Est L'Enfant De La Liberte.
Suzanne (left) and Judy Donaldson (right) with Ray Columbus (centre) and friends. Back row, L to R: Shane Hales, Kevin McNeil, Ray Woolf, Shade Smith.
Photo credit: Judy Donaldson collection
Labels:

Polydor

Members:

Shade Smith - vocals, guitar, piano

Gerard Smith - vocals, guitar

Ross Hindman - bass

Jacques Koolen - drums, vocals

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