Lock up your grannies, NZ's rock veterans go on tour

New Zealand rock stars from the 1950s to the 1980s are to dust off their blue suede slippers for a nationwide tour.

Johnny Devlin and The Tornadoes, Ray Columbus, Sharon O'Neill, Shane, Larry Morris and Tom Sharplin will play the Best of the Best tour.

They will set out on an 11-event tour in Timaru on August 10.

"Together they've had more hits than a heavyweight boxer - they are the heavyweights of New Zealand's rock music scene and they're celebrating 50 years of rock'n' roll," pre-tour billing stated.

Promoter Ian Magan of Pacific Entertainment said the special show would celebrate the 50th anniversary of rock'n' roll in New Zealand.

Raetihi-born Devlin , 68, was one of the first New Zealand rock stars.

Pint-sized O'Neill had hits with songs such as Maxine, Asian Paradise, and Maybe, in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Ray Columbus and the Invaders were a New Zealand version of The Beatles.

Shane was best known for his tribute to Beatle Paul McCartney - St Paul.

Sharplin's versions of Rock Around the Clock, Shake Rattle and Roll, and Great Balls of Fire were hits.

Morris has fronted rock bands for 40 years, Larry's Rebels is the best known of them.

Tickets go on sale on Saturday.

- NZPA