Amplifier

John Rowles now proudly announces six South Island dates for his critically acclaimed farewell tour.

John will appear in Dunedin on 12 October, Invercargill on 18 October, Ashburton on 20 October, Christchurch on 21 October, Blenheim on 22 October and Nelson on 23 October.

The six-concert announcement follows sell-out shows throughout the North Island and rave reviews from his fans.

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."

TOUR DATES

Monday 17 October
Regent Theatre, Dunedin
Tickets available from http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Tuesday 18 October
Civic Theatre, Invercargill
Tickets available from http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Thursday 20 October
Trust Events Centre, Ashburton
Tickets available from http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Friday 21 October
Aurora Centre, Christchurch
Tickets available from http://www.ticketek.co.nz

Saturday 22 October
Marlborough Civic Theatre, Blenheim
Tickets available from http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Sunday 23 October
Theatre Royal, Nelson
3pm
Tickets available from http://www.ticketek.co.nz