“Live music is healthy regarding social lubrication aspect people going out and meeting others enjoying the music and have fun dancing etc. That’s healthy!”

Kevin Borich: The Magic of Rock n’ Blues 

Kevin Borich of The La De Das In the 60’s. Kevin was the founding member of New Zealand’s hit band ‘The La De Da’s’ and did the ditch jump to OZ charting with his hit ‘Gonna See My Baby Tonight’ and top 30 album ‘Celebration’ wit his Kevin Borich Express. Kevin was a founding member of Australia’s legendary band ‘The Party Boys’ with the number one hit ‘He’s Gonna Step On You’. Kevin has released over 20 albums with major labels and independently, performing countless thousands of live shows during his long career. Kevin has performed with and shared stages in live performance with Carlos Santana, Elton John,, AC/DC, Taj Mahal, Status Quo, Renee Geyer, Living Colour, Joe Walsh, Leo Sayer, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Bo Diddley, John Mayall, Jimmy Barnes and Ritchie Blackmore. Kevin Borich Express has been Kevin's music vehicle throughout the 70's, 80's 90's, 20's and through until now as he tours his DUETS album across Australia in 2024.

(Photo: Kevin Borich, an Australian music legend of rock and blues)

Kevin Borich, a true icon of Australian rock and blues, with a legendary career spanning nearly six decades. Known for his fiery guitar work and explosive live shows. Twice voted Best Australian Rock Guitarist, Kevin continues to deliver powerhouse performances with his Express Band—Kevin shows once again that true rock ’n’ roll never fades. Well known for his high-energy electric guitar style, his performance is hailed throughout the music industry as world class. In recognition of his contribution to Australian music and blues culture, he was inducted into the Australian Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Archive: Kevin Borich, 2015 interview

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

Born on October 24th 1947 in New Zealand from Dalmation Croatian parents. As a kid I just heard pop music on the radio, then Scottish pipe bands & Brass Bands at the local Kumeu agricultural show, the pipe bands being my favourite, the “om" of those drone pipes seemed to enchant me and later revisited me in the indian music that George Harrison introduced us to. At 13, when my Auntie Joni played me Ray Charles and a Blues album with Muddy Waters & John Lee Hooker - the Hooks "Tupelo Blues" really got to me, that song about the mighty Mississippi flood opened a door to real raw emotion as Ray & Muddy did as well, leading to the social aspect of the oppression African Americans had to endure. Jimmy Reed’s “Big Bossman” is about that slavery.

…Then “The Blues Had A Baby and They Called it Rock n’ Roll” (Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee)… I got into Elvis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent  and Little Richard who really lit my fuse. And the progression of music surely exposed the views of the world - from England Cliff Richard and the Shadows who with Hank Marvin’s guitar prowess was an education. Then the UK's “Blues'ers” Alexis Korner, John Mayall, The Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Jeff beck, Jimmy Page, Manfred Mann etc. brought the Blues to us via the BBC’s transmitting to NZ and of course Jimi Hendrix arrived to us via the UK. Harry Belafonte’s Calypso had a baby and they called in Reggie - Carlos Santana’s Woodstock performance introduced Cuban & South American Latin Grooves.

So yes, music did all this and I must mention, when I was a kid, The Marks Brothers may-ham comedy films where the energy was slapstick crazy and hilariously funny,...then Harpo would find a Harp and play, cutting the crazyness into a beautiful angelic silence bomb of peace and calmness capturing everyone in the little Kumeu Hall where they would have movie nights. So that in itself, was a clear lesson in the power of music.

“Writing new songs, and to keep doing what love performing live, and when I am approached by a young person saying they loved and enjoyed our performance with my band, it’s a wonderful feeling.” (Photos: Kevin Borich, a premier slide guitarist with signature Funkin’ Rockin’ blues sound)

What keeps a musician passionate after six decades in music? Why do you think that Australian Blues Rock scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

Music actually swept me along this journey, I love finding new songs that want to be written and live performances are always a fresh challenge to get it right when turning on your audience to the generated energy so they give it back, then you fly. Yes, we did have very fertile ground here in Australia back in the 70’s up to the 90’s .. 5 nights a week playing. I did 366 shows one year. Back then double shows were introduced - sometimes lunchtime concerts at Universities. And most people we’re into going out and enjoying it.

So, yes bands could perform constantly enhancing their skill due to that wonderful "Pub Circuit”, each venue having Sound and lighting production. A musician could have a profession and pay a mortgage off. Unfortuantly those great times have evaporated due to governments being so inadequate. We don’t want hand outs...All we need is a good economy which seems to be way out of their ability, depth and skill-set.

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

On the Rock Arena show at the Calder Raceway Victoria with 60,000 people, and I’m being pulled by Carlos’s roadie saying “He wants you out there” and directing me on stage, putting a guitar on me to jam, was an amazingly wonderful.

Spending time with the amazing and very loveable Joe Walsh who after playing the 50th aniversery of the Fender Stratocaster in London, flew out to Brisbane, I picked him and Smokey his roadie up, dropped Smokey at a Brisbane Hotel and then drove Joe up to our place up in the Sunshine Coast’s Hinterland bush home, where he slept for two days ( I’d blacked out the room as if Elvis was coming) we rehearsed the songs Joe wanted to play which I had sent to my then players Harry Brus (bass) and Mick Skelton (drums). The show coming up was a very small 500 head private Longview Festival owned and run by Luke Everingham where the stage production etc. was setup in one of his cowsheds. So when we’d come to the end of our set and Joe hit the stage the crowd where completely blown away Joe was the special surprise!! Later after my wife and I were leaving Joe's dress room before the last Eagels show in Brisbane, Joe says ”Hey man, if you ever want me to play on anything, just send it to me!” So I did, a song called “The Fires” and sure enough Joe sings tag-team style with me and plays guitar as well on my 2003 Duets album. I’ve also had the great honour to play with Bo Diddley as well as the amazing Richie Blackmore two other stories I’ll be mentioning in my up coming book in editing state at the moment.

“Music actually swept me along this journey, I love finding new songs that want to be written and live performances are always a fresh challenge to get it right when turning on your audience to the generated energy so they give it back, then you fly.” (Photos: Kevin Borich on stage with Carlos Santana / Kevin Borich, a true icon of Australian rock and blues, with a legendary career)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

The Labour Governments bad decisions here in Australia has caused the cost of living to keep escalating so live music is suffering. The regularity of performance - Yes less we had great times but they have gone.

What were the reasons that made the 1960s to be the center of Rock n’ Roll researches and experiments?

Less government interference, less red tape for venues to have to pay for, small businesses thrived then now they are failing & closing.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Live music is healthy regarding social lubrication aspect people going out and meeting others enjoying the music and have fun dancing etc. That’s healthy!

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Remain positive even when the going gets tuff learn from your mistakes. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Writing new songs, and to keep doing what love performing live, and when I am approached by a young person saying they loved and enjoyed our performance with my band, it’s a wonderful feeling.

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(Photo: Kevin Borich)