Legendary musician R.W. "Weazel" Taiaroa, 61, of Lubbock died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Tatum, N.M. Weazel was born July 7, 1943, in Waitara Taranaki, New Zealand. He was raised on a farm outside Okato, New Zealand, where he attended Okato Primary School until 1958.
He then moved to Porirua and attended Mana College in Titahi Bay where, having taught himself to play the guitar, he played with the Porirua Youth Club. In 1969, Weazel and the Quin Tikis left New Zealand and traveled throughout the world entertaining in many countries, including entertaining the troops in Vietnam, before coming to the United States.
Here they played in clubs in California, Vancouver, Las Vegas and many other cities. Weazel and his family settled in Alamogordo, N.M., and he continued to play in cities throughout the Southwest, including Lubbock, Midland, Ruidoso and many places in between. Weazel is regarded as "The Greatest Musician to ever come out of New Zealand" and for people who saw him perform, they can tell you this is true. He is a legendary musician whose musical abilities evolved to stand the test of time and seemed to get better every time you saw him.
His music and his memory will forever live in our hearts. All his family and friends are so grateful to have known him and shared his wonderful life and gift. Survivors include a son, Wiremu Taiaroa of Alamogordo; three daughters, Matewai Taiaroa and Kuia Taiaroa, both of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sheree Taiaroa of Australia; two granddaughters, Alana Taiaroa of Las Vegas, and Alex Taiaroa of Lovington, N.M.; a grandson, Tainui Taiaroa of Alamogordo; his mother, Mary Davis of Australia; 12 brothers and sisters; his former wives, Zumla Taiaroa and Jamie Taiaroa of Lubbock; a stepdaughter, Nikki Curry and her son Ethan Curry of Lubbock; and a stepson, Jason Sama- niego of Lubbock.
A wake service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel in Alamogordo. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Mission in Alamogordo with Father Timon Costello, O.F.M., as celebrant.
Following cremation, inurnment will be in New Zealand. Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home in Alamogordo.
He then moved to Porirua and attended Mana College in Titahi Bay where, having taught himself to play the guitar, he played with the Porirua Youth Club. In 1969, Weazel and the Quin Tikis left New Zealand and traveled throughout the world entertaining in many countries, including entertaining the troops in Vietnam, before coming to the United States.
Here they played in clubs in California, Vancouver, Las Vegas and many other cities. Weazel and his family settled in Alamogordo, N.M., and he continued to play in cities throughout the Southwest, including Lubbock, Midland, Ruidoso and many places in between. Weazel is regarded as "The Greatest Musician to ever come out of New Zealand" and for people who saw him perform, they can tell you this is true. He is a legendary musician whose musical abilities evolved to stand the test of time and seemed to get better every time you saw him.
His music and his memory will forever live in our hearts. All his family and friends are so grateful to have known him and shared his wonderful life and gift. Survivors include a son, Wiremu Taiaroa of Alamogordo; three daughters, Matewai Taiaroa and Kuia Taiaroa, both of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sheree Taiaroa of Australia; two granddaughters, Alana Taiaroa of Las Vegas, and Alex Taiaroa of Lovington, N.M.; a grandson, Tainui Taiaroa of Alamogordo; his mother, Mary Davis of Australia; 12 brothers and sisters; his former wives, Zumla Taiaroa and Jamie Taiaroa of Lubbock; a stepdaughter, Nikki Curry and her son Ethan Curry of Lubbock; and a stepson, Jason Sama- niego of Lubbock.
A wake service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel in Alamogordo. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Mission in Alamogordo with Father Timon Costello, O.F.M., as celebrant.
Following cremation, inurnment will be in New Zealand. Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home in Alamogordo.
Legendary musician R.W. "Weazel" Taiaroa, 61, of Lubbock died Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Tatum, N.M. Weazel was born July 7, 1943, in Waitara Taranaki, New Zealand. He was raised on a farm outside Okato, New Zealand, where he attended Okato Primary School until 1958.
He then moved to Porirua and attended Mana College in Titahi Bay where, having taught himself to play the guitar, he played with the Porirua Youth Club. In 1969, Weazel and the Quin Tikis left New Zealand and traveled throughout the world entertaining in many countries, including entertaining the troops in Vietnam, before coming to the United States.
Here they played in clubs in California, Vancouver, Las Vegas and many other cities. Weazel and his family settled in Alamogordo, N.M., and he continued to play in cities throughout the Southwest, including Lubbock, Midland, Ruidoso and many places in between. Weazel is regarded as "The Greatest Musician to ever come out of New Zealand" and for people who saw him perform, they can tell you this is true. He is a legendary musician whose musical abilities evolved to stand the test of time and seemed to get better every time you saw him.
His music and his memory will forever live in our hearts. All his family and friends are so grateful to have known him and shared his wonderful life and gift. Survivors include a son, Wiremu Taiaroa of Alamogordo; three daughters, Matewai Taiaroa and Kuia Taiaroa, both of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sheree Taiaroa of Australia; two granddaughters, Alana Taiaroa of Las Vegas, and Alex Taiaroa of Lovington, N.M.; a grandson, Tainui Taiaroa of Alamogordo; his mother, Mary Davis of Australia; 12 brothers and sisters; his former wives, Zumla Taiaroa and Jamie Taiaroa of Lubbock; a stepdaughter, Nikki Curry and her son Ethan Curry of Lubbock; and a stepson, Jason Sama- niego of Lubbock.
A wake service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel in Alamogordo. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Mission in Alamogordo with Father Timon Costello, O.F.M., as celebrant.
Following cremation, inurnment will be in New Zealand. Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home in Alamogordo.
He then moved to Porirua and attended Mana College in Titahi Bay where, having taught himself to play the guitar, he played with the Porirua Youth Club. In 1969, Weazel and the Quin Tikis left New Zealand and traveled throughout the world entertaining in many countries, including entertaining the troops in Vietnam, before coming to the United States.
Here they played in clubs in California, Vancouver, Las Vegas and many other cities. Weazel and his family settled in Alamogordo, N.M., and he continued to play in cities throughout the Southwest, including Lubbock, Midland, Ruidoso and many places in between. Weazel is regarded as "The Greatest Musician to ever come out of New Zealand" and for people who saw him perform, they can tell you this is true. He is a legendary musician whose musical abilities evolved to stand the test of time and seemed to get better every time you saw him.
His music and his memory will forever live in our hearts. All his family and friends are so grateful to have known him and shared his wonderful life and gift. Survivors include a son, Wiremu Taiaroa of Alamogordo; three daughters, Matewai Taiaroa and Kuia Taiaroa, both of Las Vegas, Nev., and Sheree Taiaroa of Australia; two granddaughters, Alana Taiaroa of Las Vegas, and Alex Taiaroa of Lovington, N.M.; a grandson, Tainui Taiaroa of Alamogordo; his mother, Mary Davis of Australia; 12 brothers and sisters; his former wives, Zumla Taiaroa and Jamie Taiaroa of Lubbock; a stepdaughter, Nikki Curry and her son Ethan Curry of Lubbock; and a stepson, Jason Sama- niego of Lubbock.
A wake service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel in Alamogordo. Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Mission in Alamogordo with Father Timon Costello, O.F.M., as celebrant.
Following cremation, inurnment will be in New Zealand. Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home in Alamogordo.
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