Max Merritt

One of the longest-lived and most popular New Zealand bands of the early rock & roll era, Max Merritt & the Meteors were a pioneering institution of the Kiwi scene. Born in Christchurch on April 30, 1941, frontman Merritt quit school at the age of 15 to work as an apprentice bricklayer; rock music made its first impact at about the same time, and he eventually saved up enough money to buy an electric guitar. He soon formed the first Meteors lineup with bassist Ian Glass, pianist Peter Patene, saxophonist Ross Clancy, and drummer Pete Snowden. Upon establishing residency at t...