By Rolland McKellar.
After twelve years of research, this book about the life of Hawera writer and musician, Ronald Hugh Morrieson, author of Came a Hot Friday, The Scarecrow, Predicament and Pallet on the Floor, this biography has just been published by Opunake journalist, Rolland McKellar, to celebrate the centenary of Morrieson's birth.
A fascinating read!
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s Morrieson played with various musical combos in dance halls in South Taranaki. About 1943 Morrieson joined a group of friends in a dance band, playing guitar or double bass; he was also responsible for the musical arrangements. During this period he was known as ‘Slapsy’ Morrieson. ‘The night life and carefree ways of a dance-band player suited me fine.’
By 1953 he had joined his mother as a music teacher (he taught guitar and modern piano) and expressed to friends his desire to write books. In order to write seriously he tried to adopt a more settled lifestyle and by 1959 had given up playing in dance bands.
James Ronald Hugh Morrieson died at 50, a sad and disappointed man. His remark, ‘I hope I’m not another one of these poor buggers who get discovered when they’re dead’ became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Credit: teara.govt.nz