70 odd years of music.
The life of Bill Sevesi.
Young Bill - the self taught steel guitarist. 1945 at the tender age of 22 years old and first year back after serving in the war - Italy and Egypt.
Alliance Hall, July 1946. From Left: Alf Austin, Oscar Whitby, Bill, Doreen Boucher.
The band travelling in Fiji - 1964. Bill Sevesi and George Tumahai, Daphne Walker, Ricky Santos, Merv Herdson.
Bill in his early days when living in O’Donnell Ave, Mt. Roskill with his 1951 semi-automatic Dodge Coronet.
Daphne Walker and George Tumahai in the recording studio.
Bill’s wife Vika, viewing poster of old Orange Hall image inside the renovated Hall.
Looking down on Orange Ballroom floor, after renovation.
From Left: John Brookie, Bill Sevesi, Marsh, Sione Aleki, Hugo Spemann, Johnnie Moore and Malu Natapu - Orange Ballroom, Auckland.
The Orange Ballroom ceiling, over main dancefloor.
Orange Ballroom band.
Reception and ticketing area, foyer of the Orange Hall and Ballroom, Newton, Auckland.
Waihi Beach RSA absolutely packed out, 1981. The walls were dripping with sweat but everyone just happy to be here.
Song of the South Seas documentary.
Bill in his element. The garage recording studio, Mt Roskill.
Vector Arena (now Spark) Six60 as guests at the Kiwileles festival 2017.
Mal Lakatani performing at 2016 Kiwilele Festival, Vector Arena.
The Uke Salute, Kiwileles Festival.
Dave Dobbyn with Jackie Clark at a NZ Ukulele Festival, Trusts Arena, West Auckland.
NZ Ukulele Festival. The Kiwileles, Trusts Arena, West Auckland.
Ukulele Kids flash mob surprise Bill at his home in Mt. Roskill with Mike Chun to the left.
Ukulele Kids flash mob surprise Bill at his home in Mt. Roskill.
Eldest daughter Tania, paying tribute to the late Bill Sevesi at the 2016 NZ Ukulele Festival, Vector Arena - Auckland.
Man of Steel interview 2015. Dad’s last before his Lifetime Achievement Award and last interview before he passed on 23rd March 2016.
Artist: Ronnie Sunden & Will Jess and the Jesters.
Song: Bye Bye Baby Goodbye. | Composer: Frank McNutty. Label: Viking. 1959.
Waihi Beach. From Left: Val Herdson, Norm McKenzie, John Moore (drums), Bill Sevesi, Malu Natapu and Hugo Spemann.
Homemade Waihi Beach signage.
Sione Aleki (3rd on right) and his Bamboo Men.
Putting together his recording studio in our garage in Mt Roskill
Four Auckland bandleaders ready for their residencies at the Oriental Ballroom, Symonds Street, early 1960s. From left: Bernie Allen, Bill Sevesi, Merv Thomas and Al Patchett. Credit: Phil Warren Collection
1989. Typical Bill Sevesi style recording equipment, in a makeshift studio which he converted his garage in Mt. Roskill, Auckland, NZ.
Daphne Walker and George Tumahai, legends who sang Haere Mai. Check out on Spotify, YouTube Music or Apple Music.
Dancing at the Orange Ballroom.
The newly restored Orange Hall, Newton Rd, Auckland.
Bill holding Tania, eldest daughter in Tonga - born 1970.
Mum and Tania visiting the Orange again, July 2018.
Huge thank you to Tony Smith for taking us through after all these years and the fantastic restoration and securing the Heritage Award at the 2016 Auckland Architecture Awards.
Unsure on piano and lead singer. John Moore (drums), Bill Sevesi (steel guitar), Ricky Santos and Malu Natapu.
Bill’s legendary steel guitar is now housed and looked after by the Auckland Museum and has been on the National Treasures show in 2021
The Orange Ballroom main doors, Newton Rd, Auckland.
One of the recording bands for Bill Sevesi. Left to right, Hugo Spemann, Malu Natapu (bass), Ronnie Sundin (lead singer), Rudy Spemann (drums), Bill Sevesi, Don Stacey (behind Bill), Alex Patchett.
Another legend in his time that Bill worked with, the truly talented Sione Aleki, top notch ukulele player and music virtuoso also from Tonga.
From Left: Ben Tawhiti, Bill Sevesi, Joe Brandon, John Moore (drums), John Brookie (lead singer), Bob Winyard and Malu Natapu.
The recording studio at home, Mt Roskill for over 30 years.
From Left: John Bercich, Mose Loulanting, Bill Sevesi, Buddy Wilson, Bert Penny.
Dad with good friend and singer, Daphne Walker (Haere Mai & more)
at home in Mt Roskill - 2014.
Bill invited to play for Neil Finn’s wedding anniversary when Sam Neil asks to have a photo with Bill and the band.
Six60 performing at the 2016 NZ Ukulele Festival, Vector Arena.
Wonderful selection of ukuleles for sale at one of the many Kiwileles festivals in Auckland.
Kiwileles Development Squad. NZ Ukulele Trust and the Kiwileles.
Orange Ballroom days. unsure on piano, unsure who is singing, John Moore on drums, Bill Sevesi on steel guitar, Ricky Santos, and Malu Natapu.
1958 Band. From Left: Trevor Edmondson, Bob Wynyard, Malu Natapu, Ricky Santos and Bill Sevesi.
Waihi Beach 1963.
Daughter Tania holding a photo of her dad playing here at the Orange Hall, around 40 years prior.
Looking out from ballroom into foyer area of Orange Hall, Newton, Auckland.
Orange Hall - Newton, Auckland, 1978.
Waihi Beach. From Left: Vince Callaher, Hugo Spemann, John Moore (drums), Merv Herdson, Bill Sevesi, Malu Natapu.
Bill with his 1951 semi-automatic Dodge Coronet - O’Donnell Ave home, Mt. Roskill, Auckland.
Bill with the lovely ladies at Stoddard Rd Medical centre after a gig.
From Left: Bill Spemman (Hugo Spemann’s cousin), John Bercich and Bill.
1997 APRA Awards. Bill announcing winner - Bic Runga.
Most Performed Work in NZ - “Sway.”
Finn Brothers Hooley, June 2002.
Bill, Neil Finn, Vika (Bill’s wife) and grandson Matt Manukia.
Eddie Rayner, Neil Finn and Dave Dobbyn with Bill Sevesi at the True Colours Festival, St. James, Auckland, 2002. Credit: Photo by Mark Roach
Bill Sevesi’s Dream. Presenter Gemma Gracewood (of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra)
Thank you Maria Winder, for this framed photo. Kiwileles Festival 2009. NZ Ukulele Trust.
A trio of Polynesian stars at the Orange Ballroom, Auckland, in the early 1960s. From left: Daphne Walker, George Tumahai and Bill Sevesi, with drummer Merv Herdson and guitarist Ricky Santos.
NZ Ukulele Festival, Vector Arena, Auckland.
The Uke Salute. Vector Arena, NZ Ukulele Festival, Auckland.
APRA Silver Scroll Awards - Lifetime Achievement, 2015.
APRA Silver Scroll Awards - Lifetime Achievement, 2015.
