Darlene McStay

Meet Darlene McStay from Auckland, New Zealand.

Music has always been a huge part of my life and I have had the privilege of recording and singing over the years (with a solo album as well as session vocals on many other albums, radio and TV).

So my very first live concert was a special event. My friend bought us tickets to America and although near the back of the auditorium, I had a fantastic night.

So when my friend (Stephen Bell-Booth) was asked to open for the New Zealand leg of America's tour in 1984, and he asked my friend and I to join him on vocals - we were more than happy to.

We had a great week, flying across the country with the band and staying at the same hotels. We got to know them quite well, (including Dewey's son Dylan who was with him on tour - along with his teddy bear whom I seem to remember was affectionately named 'One Eyed Ted') and had a lot of fun.

The biggest thrill was joining the band on stage for the last few concerts and singing with them on their encore song (California Dreaming).

We had a great celebration dinner on their last night and some of the guys even rang to say hi when they passed back through after their tour of Australia. (They said that they'd had a different band each time over there and hadn't had as much fun)

More than a few years have passed but I saw recently that the band are due back here (for the first time since then - I think) and I'm hoping to go along.

Great band, great songs.

Good memories!!

Feel free to send your comments or questions to Darlene.