UNLIKE many bands, there are three distinct ages that define the evolution of iconic rock band Dragon.
The eras represent the rites of passage that have made the band and its music what it is today, carving out a special place in the popular music history of Australia and New Zealand.
Now, for the first time, Dragon is hitting the road to celebrate these three ages with their special Dragon Trilogy Concert tour, which will see them performing in metro and regional centres over a few months early this year, including Port Macquarie.
The three key eras in Dragon’s four-decade history have been dubbed the Young Years (1973-1979), the Glory Years (1982-1998) and the Phoenix Years (from 2006 on). The current line-up of the band features Todd Hunter, Mark Williams, Pete Drummond and Bruce Reid.
Founder and bass player Todd Hunter said the band would revisit some obscure older songs that they had affection for and play the hits from each of the eras.
“We’ll also have a mystery song slot where we will play a different song every night,” he said.
“We’ll take requests for the slot on our Facebook page.
“The hits speak for themselves. Our task with those is to play them and let the crowd sing along. It seemed to me that there are three distinct eras in the Dragon saga and the songs from each age are markedly different.
“The Dragon Trilogy Tour is a way of honouring those eras through the songs and a way of making sense of everything that has happened in the last 40 years.”
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dragon dominated the Australian music scene. Their live shows were unsurpassed and their notorious rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle was well documented. Ever since then, they’ve continued to release hits, pack live music houses and earn a swag of fans.
In July 2008 Dragon were again recognised by their adoptive country when they were inducted into the Australian ARIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
During the first era – the Young Years – the band formed in the pre-historic wilds of New Zealand, with Todd Hunter there on bass right from the start. It was named Dragon after a throw of the I Ching on New Year’s Eve in 1973. Todd’s brother Marc joined later in 1973 and the band continued touring extensively.
In May 1975, they packed their bags and headed for Australia. Frontman Marc Hunter made a name for himself as one of Australia’s most enigmatic lead singers and Dragon carved themselves into the Oz music history books.
“When we first came to Australia, we were cynical young Kiwis on the brink of an incredible adventure. Everything was different here – the people, the light, the brashness of ’70s Sydney,” Todd said, remembering the Young Years.
“On our first day in Australia, Marc and I walked from Paddington to Bondi Beach and stood on the rocks in the sun. There was a feeling of freedom – of endless possibility, and we loved it. When we went on the road driving to Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide – the distances, the age of the landscape – we got to love those huge vistas – and God knows we saw a lot of them!”
Dragon band celebrated their 500th show in July 2013 and have no plans to stop.
They will be performing at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on Friday 4 April. For more information, visit www.glasshouse.org.au or phone 6581 8888.
