Phil Warren (promoter)

Philip Reece Warren QSO JP (12 March 1938 – 23 January 2002) was a New Zealand music promoter, manager, agent and later a politician.

Phil Warren

QSO JP
20th Deputy Mayor of Auckland
In office
1988–1991
MayorCatherine Tizard
Les Mills
Preceded byHarold Goodman
Succeeded byDavid Hay
Personal details
Born(1938-03-12)12 March 1938
Auckland, New Zealand
Died23 January 2002(2002-01-23) (aged 63)
Auckland, New Zealand
Spouse(s)Pat Warren
Children2
ProfessionPromoter

Background

He came from Kingsland, an Auckland suburb, and went to Mount Albert Grammar School. He was the father of two children and was married to Pat Warren who died in 2000.[1]

Music career

1950s

In 1955, he was a drummer playing part-time. He also started work at Begg's Music Store that year.[2] In 1956 at the age of 17, he also formed Prestige Records which was used to distribute independent material from overseas labels.[2] In 1958, he signed up Johnny Devlin and recorded him.[3]

1960s

He purchased the Fuller's Entertainment Bureau from founder Mary Throll in the mid 1960s. Under his control, it became one of the biggest management and booking agencies in New Zealand. He had Ray Columbus and Lew Pryme working for him, managing Fuller's. At the time, the Fuller's roster included Sandy Edmonds, The Keil Isles, The Chicks, The Rumour, and Shane.[4] One of the artists he would book regularly was Tahitian singer, George Tumahai.[5]

1970s

In early 1972, a syndicate headed by Lew Pryme and Glen Tabuteau purchased Fuller's Entertainment Bureau from Warren.[6] In late 1972, Warren spotted singer Andy Waretini on the New faces contest, and later booked him for the summer period to appear at selected holiday centres with David Whitfield, an entertainer from the UK.[7]

In May 1974, he engaged The Bulldogs All Star Goodtime Band as a supporting act for Daniel Boone and the Dillinger Show band on their New Zealand tour.[8]

Political career

In a 1979 by-election he stood as an independent for the Auckland City Council, placing fourth.[9] He stood again at the 1980 local elections on the Citizens & Ratepayers ticket and was successful.[10] In 1988 he was appointed deputy mayor of Auckland following the death of Harold Goodman. Following mayor Catherine Tizard's resignation in 1990, Warren contested the subsequent by-election for the mayoralty. He was initially the favourite and lead in opinion polls, but surprisingly finished a distant sixth.[11] In later years he was Chairman of the Auckland Regional Council.[12]

Death

On 23 January 2002, he died of a heart attack at age 63.[1]

References
  1. New Zealand Herald, 23 January 2002 ARC chairman Phil Warren dies of a heart attack by Bernard Orsman
  2. Sergent.com.au Johnny Devlin and the Devils
  3. The Encyclopedia of New Zealand Story: Recording companies and studios Page 2 – Homegrown hits, 1950s to 1960s, Rock ’n’ roll fever
  4. Audio Culture, 25 February 2014 Phil Warren Profile - Chris Bourke
  5. Amplifier.co.nz Viking Sevenseas > George Tumahai and His Tahitians - Welcome to Tahiti
  6. Auckland Star, 25 February 1972 New Song (Record ID 47609)
  7. New Zealand Herald, 9 December 1972 Andy Waretini, spotted on television's "New faces" contest by promoter Philip Warren
  8. New Zealand Herald, 18 May 1974 The Bulldogs All Star Goodtime Band has been engaged by promoter Phil Warren
  9. "Declaration of Result of Election". The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 1979. p. 17.
  10. "Declaration of Result of Election". The New Zealand Herald. 29 October 1980. p. 9.
  11. Graham, Jill (10 December 1990). "Mayor on the road back to basics". The New Zealand Herald. p. 1.
  12. Beehive.gov.nz, 23 January 2002 - Sandra Lee
Political offices
Preceded by
Harold Goodman		 Deputy Mayor of Auckland
1988–1991		 Succeeded by
David Hay
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