Tom Sharplin and the Cadillacs

Tom Sharplin, born in Auckland but raised in Tauranga, soon after leaving school in 1967, joined his first band, "The Arms & Legs". Tom said, "At the audition, I knew the gig was mine as soon as I finished singing the Rolling Stones classic 'Jumping Jack Flash' - the leader of the band, Vincent Clarke, had a wide smile across his face and eagerly asked me if I knew another song."

The Arms and Legs went on to become a very popular band in the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty music scene, supporting The La De Dahs and The Underdogs. Tom also supported Mr Lee Grant on a tour around the Bay of Plenty, and before long, he was heading up to the big smoke, Auckland City.

"I got a singing job at the only licensed restaurant in Tauranga, The San Francisco, singing with keyboard player Johnny Carson.

Often, I would travel from Auckland back to Tauranga to a licensed restaurant on the waterfront at Mt. Maunganui, called Sierra Bianca, managed by Sir Howard's brother, Laurie Morrison. "

Tom got a gig singing for the Arthur Skelton Orchestra on Monday nights at the Orange Ballroom on Newton Rd. Auckland. This led to other gigs singing at balls at the Town Hall and other prestigious rooms.

Tom released five singles in the '70s. The first, at the end of 1971, was Love Is A Beautiful Song/We've Got A Groovy Thing Going for Pye, which enjoyed chart success by making it to #12 on the national charts and even #2 in the Bay of Plenty. It also reached #2 on Radio I's Auckland top 10, just below Bunny Walter's massive hit Brandy In 1973 he recorded Love Is A River/I'll Get Along and the next year Heart Beat/ on the Kontact label.

In 1974 he formed Tom Sharplin & Graffiti featuring Ritchie Pickett - keyboards, Glenn White - guitar, Bill Wilson - bass, and Steve Osborne - drums. They toured the country, developing a Rock & Roll revival act second to none.

The first single Pretty Blue Eyes/I Knew The Bride made it into the national top 40, peaking at position 39. The second single was Blue Moon/Three Steps To Heaven. Both songs received massive exposure through television clips and radio coverage.

In 1982 he formed Tom Sharplin and the Rockets. Members of the group were David Lovini - drums, Glenn White - lead guitar, Malcolm Smith - keyboards and Jeff Clayton - bass guitar.

The band released a self-titled album for RCA from which came the singles Endless Sleep/I Was A Fool and Sweet Lolita/Guitar Boogie. A second album for RCA followed in 1984 called Nothing's Better Than Rock n Roll. The first single from this one was Something's Going On/(We're Gonna) Rock All Night (which reached #27), the second was a duet with Jodi Vaughan called Hey Paula/Let The Little Girl Dance. That one just sneaked in at number 49 on the charts. Hey Paula, however, took the Top Country Duet of the Year Award for 1984.

Tom released a few more singles through to the late 90's plus the 1989 Rockulator album, produced by bass legend Billy Kristian, featuring the hit Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache.

Among many awards Tom and his band have picked up, is the 1980 NZ Group of the Year Award. Individually, Tom was awarded the Variety Artist Club's ultimate award, The Benny in 2002.

Tom went on to form a few different bands over the years until The Cadillacs lead by Ray Eade on Bass guitar. The Cadillacs have Peter Wood on keyboards, Gordon Joll on drums, Rick Poole on Rhythm Guitar, Robert Power on saxophone, and Brian Hatcher on Lead guitar.

Tom toured New Zealand, from one end to the other in the 2006 Best of the Best tour Alongside Johnny Devlin, Ray Columbus, Sharon O'Neil, Larry Morris, and Shane.

Tom has finished a new CD, We'll Sing in the Sunshine' produced by renowned producer Simon Lynch. Due to be released nationwide in a few months time. This new album will feature some of Tom's many & varied showbiz friends performing songs that are part of our country's musical history. Contributing artists include Ray Woolf, Shona Laing, Suzanne Lynch, Brendon Ham, Toni Williams, Larry Morris, Pio Teri, Gray Bartlett & the legendary Gerry Merito, and more.