Hogsnort Rupert - 1970 - Have A Hogsnort Rupert Summer

Pretty Girl/Lonesome Traveller (Live)/Gretel/Aubrey




Hogsnort Rupert are a New Zealand band. Originally formed in 1968 as Hogsnort Rupert's Original Flagon Band, they shortened their name after their second album in 1970. They are known for their light, humorous brand of music which produced several charting singles, including the number one hit Pretty Girl which also became the biggest selling single in New Zealand for 1970.

The two consistent band members had been; Alec Wishart (lead vocals, percussion) and Dave Luther (vocals, guitar, harmonica). Luther was also the composer of all their hit singles.

 Hogsnort Rupert. L to R: Alec Wishart, Dave Luther, Billy Such, Ian Terry and Frank Boardman.


During their 'Original Flagon Band' period the other band members were; Ian Terry (vocals, guitar), Frank Boardman (bass) whose idea the band was, and Billy Such (drums). However, those three left the band in 1970 and 'Hogsnort Rupert' then became a trio with a new member John Reilly (vocals, guitar). Reilly departed the band prior to the recording of their third album, which was recorded as a duo by mainstay members Wishart and Luther. During subsequent years and varying incarnations of the band, other 'Hogsnort Rupert' members have included; John Newton, Graham Brown, Neil Worboys, Kevin Findlater, Bernie Reber, Dean Ruscoe, and Graeme Luther. The band's manager in the early days was John MacGee.

 Hogsnort Rupert in HMV Studios, 1970. Left to right, Dave Luther, Alec Wishart, John Reilly




Dave Luther subsequently became the founding member of the New Zealand band Dave and the Dynamos who had a number one hit in 1983 with "Life Begins at Forty". Luther was the 'Dave' in the band's name, and 'The Dynamos' were Kevin Findlater (bass) and Bernie Reber (drums).

Hogsnort Rupert went on to become one of the longest running bands in New Zealand music history. In November 2010, the band celebrated their 40th anniversary, with a pair of live concerts held in Napier. Frank Boardman, the man credited with the idea for the band, died in Sussex, England, on 6 October 2015. Frontman and founding member, Alec Wishart (born Alexander Frederick Wishart, 20 June 1939) died on 22 January 2016 at the age of 76 from lung cancer.