TOM SHARPLIN was a rock and roll revivalist,born in Auckland but raised in Tauranga, where soon after leaving school, he joined his first band    “The Arms & Legs”

After graduating at Graphic Arts School in Auckland in 1967 he remained ba

Dallas,Nash Chase, Angela Ayres and many others he remained quite on the recording front until 1978, when he released an album called “Rock ‘n Roll” for Music World. There was also a version of the same album called “Rock Around The Clock”. The same record but re-released in 1982 after the success of the TV Show “Rock Around The Clock”

sed in Auckland. He had five singles in the seventies. The first, at the end of 1971, was “Love Is A Beautiful Song”/”We’ve Got A Groovy Thing Going” and he enjoyed chart success by making it to number 12 on the national charts and Even No2 in the Bay of Plenty.

Tom got great exposure after performing the song on national TV music shows “Happen Inn” and “C’Mon”In 1973 he recorded “Love Is A River”/”I’ll Get Along” and the next year “Heart Beat”/”Give Me A Dream

In 1974 he formed “Tom Sharplin & Graffiti”  and  toured the country developing a Rock & Roll revival act second to none.

Although he toured up and down New Zealand, supporting Johnny Devlin, Maria

They played all over the country, setting record crowds in almost every venue they played

Tom also  recorded a  duet with  NZ Iccon, Jodi Vaughan called “Hey Paula”/”Let The Little Girl Dance” “Hey Paula took the “Top Country Duet of the Year” Award!

Tom went on to form a few different Bands over the years until “The Cadillacs” lead by Ray Eade on Bass guitar.more recently he has had Peter Wood on keyboards,Gordon Joll on drums,Rick Poole on Rhythm Guitar, Robert Power on saxophone and Brian Hatcher on Lead guitar.
Tom released a few more singles through to the early nineties and had one more album called “Rockulator” in 1989. “Rockulator” was produced by the Bass legend Billy Kristian. “Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache” came off this Album.

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.

Among many awards Tom and his band have picked up are the “NZ Group of the Year Award” in 1980 Tom was awarded the Variety Artist Club’s ultimate award “The Benny” in 2002.

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

Currently Tom has just 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.

You can listen to several tracks from the new CD on the online iPod or download the We’ll Sing In The Sunshine Sample Box from the downloads page.

Among many awards Tom and his band have picked up are the “NZ Group of the Year Award” in 1980 Tom was awarded the Variety Artist Club’s ultimate award “The Benny” in 2002.

Tom Sharplin & the Cadillacs

received their Boulevard Star on the  5th NOVEMBER 2010