Johnny Croot

[Kiwigold]

Johnny Croot was from Wellington Bands "Mike and the Beavers" from 1961 to 1963, the "Big Four" from 1964 to 1966 changing name then to "The Group".

In 2006 Johnny Croot formed "Johnny Croot & Friends", checkout the line-up,

Johnny Croot - lead vocals/guitar
Ronald La pread - bass guitar
Mike McCarthy - keyboards/musical director
Mark Dennison - saxaphone
Rob Galley - lead guitar
Midge Marsden - harmonica
Jeanine Beatty - backing vocals

Click here for Johnny Croot on MySpace

[Silverhammer]

Yes that is a nice band, Mike McCarthy does a lot of producing and backing in a studio in orewa, and Ron of course from the Commodores, I played one session with Ron (and mike producing) a couple of years ago. Johnny Croot I don't know, but he's in good company!

[Kiwigold]

The Johnny Croot & Friends tune "Big time loser" off the album "Do you fear me" is number two in the blues, top 100 USA.

Click here for more

[johnny]

Hi members, my new album 'do you fear me' johnny croot and friends is available on www.amplifier.co.nz  or  itunes. If you buy the 'cd' it comes with some original Wellington 'scene' photos and a booklet with some early scene history inside. Some of the returns from the album ive decided to donate to Drug rehab services in NZ. Please feel free to not only listen to my new original tracks, but support a worthy local cause.
Peace  Johnny

[Kiwigold]

Do You Fear Me,
there is a 30 sec. delay before the video begins, as Johnny states on YouTube "industry copy and a requirement to have a lead in time"

Written and sung by Johnny Croot who also plays the old man walking through the forest and passes through the ghost's of the lovers.

[Kiwigold]

Do You Fear Me

What an outstanding song !
My wife heard me playing the clip endlessley and we are ordering the CD.

Love the CD cover too click here, Johnny was that your design ?

 

[johnny]

hi, thanks for the comments. Yes i put the collage of photos together, and asked the page designer to put psychodelic type bubbles splashed over them. the result was as i had percieved it to be. The booklet has the continuation of the designs. It reminded me of my roots in music, 'the 60's and 70's. i however continued to play in bands up til 1988. best wishes and i love your site. i did a radio interview on 'the blues show' hamilton. i have the 'address' but dont know how to download it?? can you assist? regards John

[Kiwigold]

i did a radio interview on 'the blues show' hamilton. i have the 'address' but dont know how to download it?? can you assist? regards John

Yip, found the link. click here
There's a "Download" link under the title, just click on that and save it to disc or your computer.
It's a huge file 41.3MB.
Broadband would be a big advantage.

[Kiwigold]

Johnny Croot has sent through the following two pic's from his first band based in Levin (1962 -63) The Zodiacs.
The Zodiacs played a lot of late 50's rock n roll,  Shadows , Ventures , Elvis , Bill Haley & the comets, Chuck Berry ect..

Members were, 
Johnny Croot, lead guitar and vocals ,
Murray Taylor, lead guitar and vocals,
Kerry Shields,  Bass,
John Van Der Ryden, Drums.

Johnny says, John  Van der Ryden went on to play in some top bands like "Cellophane" and worked in films over the later years and still does.
Murray still plays in Queensland, and Johnny Croot continues to record and release his music.

The Zodiacs were prior to Johnny's next band "Mike and the Beavers" which Johnny says was probably from 1963 onwards.







click on images to enlarge

Awesome, thanks Johnny. 

[Kiwigold]

The original links I posted to enlarge these two images have been updated and fixed. 

 

[Kiwigold]

Johnny has sent through an MP3 of the Zodiacs and has kindly given us permission to use the clip here and sent through the following along with the clip,

Hi here is a rare find,  this was a very poor recording done with myself on lead guitar , John Van der Ryden on drums and Kelvin Bowling on Rythem. NO BASS.  It was done in my parent home in a small living room with a small personal tape recorder? the commentary towards the end was by none other than Hewitt Humphreys who went on to be on radio and TV for many years as you know.
The songs were originals [although do sound similar to tunes of the era, and we were al new at it. The instrument i used was a new Jansen Invader [kiwi made strat copy]. It might have some historical significance and you are welcome if you want to logg it for prosterity on your site.
It was the beginning of the Zodiacs i guess, although we went into vocals soon after Murray & Kerry joined.

Ps the names of the tunes  Hewitt expresses but i cant make them out? you may be able too? thanks John

Click here to listen

Fantastic, thanks again Johnny.

[Kiwigold]

Hi members, my new album 'do you fear me' johnny croot and friends is available on www.amplifier.co.nz  or  itunes.

CD turned up this morning, veeery impressive, jez it's good !!

I see too that the song Big Time Loser is still in the Top 10 with about 5 1/2 hours left (as I post this) in the quarter finals on OurStage.com click here

Good luck Johnny.