Amplifier

For 45 years, New Zealand has watched the 'Kawerau Kid', John Rowles, scale the highs and lows of the global music industry. Now in his 65th year, Rowles has decided to go out on top in true showbiz fashion with one final tour of New Zealand theatres in his farewell tour, entitled Now Is The Hour.

When asked why, he answers candidly "I've given my life for the stage, for my fans, for my music. It means a lot to me to travel our beautiful country and perform one last time for all those people who have supported me over the last 45 years, and most importantly to know I'll be giving them 100%. The voice feels great, I feel great and the time feels right."

The farewell tour is intended to take in over 20 New Zealand cities and towns over the remainder of 2011. He'll then turn his attention to taking the farewell tour to Australia where he remains a popular draw card, then onto Hawaii where he lived and performed for the better part of 20 years and finally the UK where it all began with If I Only Had Time in 1968, and where a number of offers of package tour options with other 60's and 70's artistes are on the table for 2012.

"This tour is going to take two years to complete as I want to do things in a comfortable manner and take my time to enjoy the experience and say thanks to the public the only way I know how, by putting on the best shows I can."

When the curtain falls on his illustrious performing career, John Rowles wants to spend more time with his two boys Dane and Blake who are growing up fast and complete writing his autobiography If I Only Had Time which will released in New Zealand through New Holland Publishing in 2012. "These stories have been with me for a long time and I'm looking forward to telling them in my own words".

"It's a hell of a way to make a living, but looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Guys like me we live for the stage, and we live for singing our songs. Its going to be a sad day when I take my final bow but I feel blessed that I've been given the opportunity to finish things off in the best possible way."

John Rowles and his full live band begin their New Zealand tour on 23 June.

TOUR DATES

Thursday 23 June
Southward Theatre, Kapiti

Friday 24 June
Opera House, Wellington

Sunday 26 June
Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North

Friday 1 July
TSB Theatre, New Plymouth

Saturday 2 July
Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Sunday 3 July
Town Hall, Pukekohe

Saturday 16 July
Civic Theatre, Rotorua

Saturday 30 July
The Centre, Kerikeri

Sunday 31 July
Forum North, Whangarei

Friday 12 August
Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland