Wills Way

ROCKHAPPENZ Public Collection
and Darryl Lanyon Connection

Wills Way  —  Christchurch rock group, featuring at the Hillsborough Tavern .....
Warren Ellis (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Dave Banens (Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar), Darryl Lanyon (Drums) and Roger Parsons (bass)

Wills Way's first residency was The Bower Hotel, then on to the Hillsborough Tavern (for 2 years) with The Hibernian (Timaru) one weekend a month.

Darryl Lanyon on drums

Dave Banens on Keyboards, Guitar and Vocals

Local venues included The Cave Rock Hotel, Rangiora, New Brighton, Southbrook, The Star and Garter, Leeston, Waikuku, Doncaster, Aranui, The Redwood Hotel, The Zetland Hotel and the Burham Army Base.  Wills Way backed Super Cyril at theChristchurch Town Hall NYE, Mark Anthony at Woolston WMC and even did a Friday dance in Greymouth, then drove the 345 kilometres to Timaru for a wedding!

Timaru - 1973

Hibernian Timaru - 1973

Timaru - 1973

Apart from pubs Wills Way played weddings, 21st birthdays, dances and corporate functions (Coca-Cola/Fletcher's Ball).  Although they played only top 40, rock 'n' roll and classic hits, they worked pretty hard for a bunch of young guys!  Great memories and a part of members' lives which will stay with them.

Weka Pass - September 1973

Weka Pass - September 1973

Weka Pass - September 1973

Weka Pass - September 1973

Hanmer - September 1973

Hanmer - September 1973

Hanmer - September 1973

Hanmer - September 1973

Hanmer - September 1973

Darryl Lanyon lives in Brisbane - still playing the drums, Warren Ellis lives in Cairns and still sings.  Dave Banens is in Kuranda - he is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer.

The Bower Hotel - Christchurch

The Scottish Hall - Timaru

The Cave Rock Hotel - Sumner