The Measles

ROCKHAPPENZ Public Collection

The Measles  —  resident at Wellington's Sorrento Coffee Lounge
Paul Muggleston (Rhythm Guitar), Puni Solomon (Bass Guitar), Bruno Lawrence (Drums) and Neil Harrap (Lead Guitar)

In 1964 Neil Harrap decided to set up a rock group which he called The Measles, and he wanted David (Bruno) Lawrence as his drummer.  The latter agreed only because they had obtained regular work.  In addition to Bruno on drums was founder and lead guitarist Neil Harrap, who had played in the Premiers.  On bass guitar was Puni Solomon, previously with Ray Columbus and the Invaders, and on rhythm guitar and vocals was Paul Muggleston (who went on to play with The Secrets and to tour the UK and Germany with Me And The Others).  The Measles were destined to stay together for about a year.

Backgrounding The Measles:  The Blockbusters were around the Wellington scene from 1961 through to 1963 as a studio group providing backing for a number of HMV artists of the time.  The make-up of the group varied from session to session, but the main players were Laurie Lewis on saxophone, Dave Fraser or Terry Crawford on piano, Bill Evans on bass guitar, Bruno Lawrence or Tony Hopkins on drums and Neil Harrap on lead guitar.  By 1963, Bruno was involved in a number of projects, including weekend work at The Pines, drumming for a semi-jazz combination which included Tommy Adderley as vocalist and Garth Young on piano.  Garth used Bruno for a number of recording sessions, as did Laurie Lewis, who had set up The Blockbusters a recording sessions band, consisting of Dave Fraser on keyboards, Neil Harrap on lead guitar, Bill Evans on bass guitar, Terry Crayford on piano and David (Bruno) Lawrence on drums.  David had always considered himself to be a jazz drummer, and had resisted requests to play rock 'n' roll - although he had played with Neil Harrap in The Blockbusters.

While resident with The Measles circa 1965, Bruno released a single called Bruno Do That Thing which was a cover of Bobo Do That Thing by American Willie Bobo, and the song sold reasonably well - even making the finals of The Loxene Golden Disc Awards.  It was released under the name Bruno, so the legendary name had become official.