Wolfgramm, Bill, 1925-2003

Musician; played ukuele, rhythm guitar and steel guitar, and Hawaiian music.

Born in Tonga of Tongan and German descent. Emigrated to New Zealand in 1948 at 23 years old. Uncle of steel guitarist Maxwell Ferdinand (Nani) Wolfgramm.

Part of Wolfgramm's Hawaiians (Bill Wolfgramm - steel guitar, John Bradfield - Spanish guitar, David Wolfgramm - ukulele, Bob Ewing - string bass). Led a musical group called Bill Wolfgramm and His Islanders which performed regularly at The Orange Ballroom, Auckland, during the 1950s-1960s. Released many albums on the Viking Records and Tanza labels, including 'South Sea Rhythm' thought to be one of the first long playing records pressed in New Zealand. His single 'Haere Mai (everything is kapai)' with Daphne Walker on lead vocal was released in 1954, and was revivied in 2000 as a television advertisement jingle.

There are 6 related items to this topic
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[Theatre ephemera and programmes for music-hall, comedy and variety productions in New ...

Date: 1954

Reference: Eph-A-VARIETY-1954

Description: Includes: By arrangement with M Paul Derval and Bernard Delfont, David N Martin in association with R J Kerridge presents the world famous "Folies Bergere Revue" (With Sonya Corbeau, Norman Vaughan, Bert Duke, Charly Wood, Trio Daresco, Guy Nelson, Renita Kramer, Bouna, Frank Cook, Chevalier Brothers, Lowe and Ladd, orchestra under Hal Moschetti). St James Theatre Wellington [1954]. Programme By arrangement with M Paul Derval and Bernard Delfont, David N Martin in association with R J Kerridge presents the world famous "Folies Bergere Revue" (With Sonya Corbeau, Norman Vaughan, Bert Duke, Charly Wood, Trio Daresco, Guy Nelson, Renita Kramer, Bouna, Frank Cook, Chevalier Brothers, Lowe and Ladd, orchestra under Hal Moschetti). His Majesty's Theatre Dunedin [1954]. Programme David N Martin and R J Kerridge present world's most famous production "Folies Bergere" (Joie de Vivre), staged and produced by Ralton R James (With Ella Shields, Alphonse Berge, Kenny Brenna and La Mar, Jack Murray and Connie Hobbs, Warren Latona & Sparks, the six De Pauls, Chord & Discord, Ormonde Douglas, Kath Crawford, Jack Murray). His Majesty's Theatre Auckland [1954]. Programme New Zealand Registered Nurses' Association. Wellington Branch: "It's in the bag" and "Money Go Round"; concert arranged by nurses. Town Hall Wellington, 9 November [1954]. Programme Tumbleweeds variety show (With Bill Wolfgramm's Hawaiians, Esclante [Escalante?], Watson Raines, Cole Wilson and his Tumbleweeds, Cole & Nola Hewitt, Watson & Terry). [Opera House, 18 November 1954]. Programme, printed by Stewart Smith & Hall, Dunedin Quantity: 4 theatre programmes. Physical Description: Programmes, various sizes under 250 mm.

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Huggard, Dennis Owen (collector), 1928-2017 :[Record sleeves for companies making or di...

Date: 1945 - 1959

Reference: Eph-C-PHONO-Covers-Huggard

Description: Includes record covers for recordings made or distributed by the following companies: Astor Recordings (16 Rautangi Road, Mt Eden, Auckland) Balmoral Electrical Limited. Agents for Philco, Philips, Ultimate; distributors of Mercury, Philips, Zodiac. 604 Dominion Road, Auckland. Begg's, the musical and electrical centre, 112 Queen Street, Auckland. Newmarket Printing House Ltd (2 copies) Bond & Bond Limited. 181 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland. Newmarket Printing House Ltd Brunswick Record (2 copies) Capitol records, albums, phonographs. Capitol Records, Inc. Hollywood. Columbia Record. The only records without scratch Columbus Radio Centre. Four covers, of different colours. Decca Records. His Master's Voice (N.Z.) Ltd., Wellington Domino Records. His Master's Voice (N.Z.) Ltd (2 different) Lewis Eady Limited, 192 Queen Street, Auckland. Newmarket Printing House Ltd L C Macdonald. PO Box 44, Onehunga, S.E. 5, N.Z. PYE Ltd. Mercury [and] PYE. Tops in new pops The Record Shop. A Marbeck Ltd, 15 Queens Arcade, Auckland (2 copies) Tanza. Noel Peach presents Sam Freedman's "Melodies of Maoriland", recorded by Astor Recording Studios, Auckland NZ Tanza. Noel Peach presents Bill Wolfgramm and his Islanders with Daphne Walker, "South Sea rhythm", recorded by Astor Recording Studios, Auckland, NZ Wisemans, 166 Queen Street, Auckland (2 copies) Zodiac recording, released by Stebbing Recording & Sound Co Ltd, Auckland (3 different) Quantity: 24 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Relief prints on record covers, sizes around 260 x 260 mm. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0954 - Other material of the same provenance is housed at MS-Group-0954.

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New Zealand Broadcasting Service :The Auckland Festival 1956. Festival variety; a caval...

Date: 1956

From: [Theatre programmes for variety, comedy, and music-hall shows and performances toured throughout New Zealand. 1950-1959].

By: New Zealand Broadcasting Service

Reference: Eph-B-VARIETY-1956-01

Description: Programme for a variety concert, featuring the following performers whose photographs appear inside: John McKenzie Quartet (Don Branch, John McKenzie, Ray Gunter, Bob Ewing), Radio Roadhouse Team (Barry Linehan, Noeline Pritchard, Mervyn Smith), Bill Wolfgramm's Hawaiians South Sea Island Magic, Pat McMinn with the Stardusters (Jack Langford, Laurie North, Bill Langford), Ian Watkins, Peter Gwynn, Keith Bracey, James Hoskins, Rex Sayers, Doreen Harvey, Rex Wilson, Doug Laurenson, Eddie Hegan, Beryl Dalley, Oswald Cheesman, The Keysters (Nancy Harrie and John Thomson). The back cover shows an advertisement for Taniwha Blue washing powder. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Photolithographs in booklet of 8 pages, 250 x 200 mm.

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Polynesian music in view/Bill Wolfgramm and His Islanders (Viking VP336)

Date: 1970

From: Viking Sevenseas NZ Ltd: Records

By: Wolfgramm, Bill, 1925-2003; Bill Wolfgramm and His Islanders (Musical group)

Reference: MST7-2984

Description: Recording of 'Polynesian music in view' by Bill Wolfgramm and His Islanders. Track listing: Hawaiian cowboy Hula lady Tiare Taio Ofa atu medley Red sails in the sunset Orchid lei Hilo march At the Hukilau Alo i talau Malihine Tangi tika Bibliography - published item at Library references Phono q5016 Lc, Phono q5016, and RECLP-12 00502. Release year: 1971. Track listing taken from published item in National Library catalogue. Related published item(s) at National Library catalogue see reference Phono q5016 Lc, Phono q5016, and RECLP-12 00502 Quantity: 1 7" reel(s). Transfers: Originally delivered to the Library with the paper documentation held at Library reference MS-Papers-12183-4. The sound tapes and related papers have been separated for conservation reasons.. Processing information: Description created from item label/housing. Item has not been previewed as part of processing

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Tribute to Mavis Rivers (Disc 2) (DHJA 1040)

Date: 1 June 1992

From: Huggard, Dennis, 1928-2017 : The Dennis Huggard Jazz Archive

Reference: MSCD-2594

Description: Radio programme "Nostalgia" presented by Jim Sutton for Newstalk ZB offers a tribute to the jazz singer Mavis Rivers who had just passed away. Sutton interviews musicians including Pat McMinn, Bill Wolfgram, Don Branch and Bob Ewing. Also provides opportunity for talkback. (Disc 2 of 3) Other - For discs 1 and 3 see MSCD-2593 and MSCD-2595 respectively. Label: Verbatim Quantity: 1 compact disc(s) DataLifePlus CD-R.

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Call of the Pacific/Various Artists (Salem XPS5052 AB)

Date: 1969

From: Viking Sevenseas NZ Ltd: Records

By: Wolfgramm, Bill, 1925-2003; Pepe and the Rarotongans (Musical group); Kabu Kei Vuda Entertainers; New Zealand Māori Theatre Trust; Church College of New Zealand; Tumahai, George, 1932-1991

Reference: MST10-1563

Description: Master recording of 'Call of the Pacific' by Various Artists (listed on acceptance sheet as Bill Wolfgramm, Emile, The Hager Sisters, Pepe and The Rarotongans, New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust, Kabu Kei Vuda Group, George Tumahai, Vaimauga Girls Choir, Church College of New Zealand, and Centenary Methodist Church Choir). Track listing: E ava tei Avarua (Bill Wolfgramme) I Unei i Tahiti (Emile) Tama Samoa (The Hager Sisters) Manuiri (Pepe and the Rarotongans) Hoki hoki tonu mai (New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust) Bula malaya (Kabu Kei Vuda Group) Hilo march (Bill Wolfgramme) Manuiti (George Tumahai) Paafiafiaga a Teina Vaimauga (Vaimauga Girls) Nga pu ariki (Pepe and the Rarotongans) Karangatia ra (Church College of New Zealand) Isa lei (Centenary Methodist Church Choir, Suva) Bibliography - published item at Library reference Phono q0316, Phono q0316 Lc, LCp 0039 and PT10/410-411. Release year: 1969. Track listing taken from published item information on National Library catalogue. Related published item(s) at National Library catalogue references Phono q0316, Phono q0316 Lc, LCp 0039, and PT10/410-411 Quantity: 1 10" reel(s). Transfers: Originally delivered to the Library with paper documentation held at Library reference MS-Papers-12189-5. The sound tapes and related papers have been separated for conservation reasons.. Processing information: Description created from item label/housing. Item has not been previewed as part of processing