Memorial Concert This Sunday

JOSIE RIKA 1953 - 2012

Memorial Concert This Sunday

Some of NZ's finest musicians will perform at Auckland's Kings Arms Tavern this Sunday (6 May) to celebrate the life of Josie Rika, who died of cancer last month.

Largely unrecognised for her contributions to the NZ music scene, Josie Rika provided backing vocals for numerous acts, both in performance and on record, most notably on the hit singles "Outlook For Thursday" (DD Smash) and "Saving Up" (Sonny Day). Apart from one single, 1974's "Doctor Rock & Roll" with Rainbow, Josie went unrecorded as a lead vocalist. An unreleased album from 1983 has been hurriedly produced for sale at Sunday's event.

In 1972 Josie Rika' joined her first band of note - Anteapot, a Hamilton collective which more or less evolved into Dragon. In 1973 she was a part of Tommy Ferguson's Goodtime Band, followed by four years with Rainbow, finishing the 1970s in the Tui & Tama Band.

Throughout the 1980s Josie featured on countless recording sessions and was an occasional member of the All Stars Blues Band. For many years she was teamed up with pianist Rufus Rehu in a series of Auckland residencies.

If unknown by the wider public, Josie Rika was recognised by her musical peers as one of the great NZ soul singers. Josie is survived by five children and four grandchildren.

Sunday's concert starts at 2pm (entry $20), finishing around 7pm. Paying tribute to the great lady will be Helen Lee, the Captain Snappy Band, Edwina Thorne, Hammond Gamble, Truda Chadwick, Larry Morris, Harry Lyon & Dave McArtney, the Tama Bro Botz Band and Herbs, finishing with an all-star jam.

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