The Dedikation was a New Zealand rock band that was active during the 1960s. They had a couple of national hits during that period. They are mostly remembered for their version of "Wait for Me Mary-Anne". Background The Crescendos The history of The Dedikation can be traced back to a high school band called The Crescendos that was formed in 1963 by Ray Mercer, lead guitarist and singer, and Graeme Collins, an organist and singer. Their friends, Wayne Marsh and Mike Martin also came on board.Audioculture, 17 Dec 2019 - The Dedikation, Profile Line up Graeme Collins - keyboards, vocals Graham Harvey - bass guitar Mike Martin - ? Wayne Clifford-Marsh - ? Ray Ahipene-Mercer - lead guitar, vocals Sergent.com.au - DedikationUpper Hutt City Library Heritage Collections - The Crescendos, c.1964, DETAILS The Dedikation The group came into being around 1967 in New Zealand's Upper Hutt.Sergent.com.au - Dedikation The former Crescendos members got together with drummer Michael Parlane.Upper Hutt City Library Heritage Collections - The Crescendos, c.1964, DETAILSSergent.com.au - Dedikation
At some stage, Parlane was replaced by Bruce Whitelaw.Pop Archives - The Dedikation - Wait For Me Mary-Anne (1969) - (Howard Blaikley Career From 1967, the group played the dancehall circuit and built up a reputation. When it came time for them to go professional, drummer Parlane left and was replaced by an eighteen-year-old Bruce Whitelaw who had been with The State of Mind, a band from Invercargill. The group's debut single, "Hayride" bw "Bare Footin" was released. The record did pick up national airplay but didn't make the charts.Audioculture, 17 Dec 2019 - The Dedikation, Profile
In September, 1969, they had success with their version of "Wait For Me Mary-Anne", a song previously recorded by The Marmalade.Pop Archives - The Dedikation - Wait For Me Mary-Anne (1969) - (Howard Blaikley The song was backed with "Sally Had a Party".Sergent.com.au - Dedikation, Their second single was released in 1969 and was a huge hit .... The Dedikation version made it to no. 2 in New Zealand.Pop Archives - The Dedikation - Wait For Me Mary-Anne (1969) - (Howard Blaikley Spending three months in the charts, it was kept off the no. 1 spot by the Beatles' "Something".Elsewhere, Dec 18, 2019 - DEDIKATION, AT AUDIOCULTURE (2019): Covering their way to the top - Graham Reid
Their last single was a cover of the Rolling Stones song, "Ruby Tuesday". It did make the national charts and peaked at no. 12.Sergent.com.au - Dedikation
In 1969, the group performed at the Fosters Hotel in Wanganui.Upper Hutt City Library Heritage Collections - The Dedikation, 1969, DETAILS They released their album that year.
They broke up in 1970.Sergent.com.au - Dedikation
Line up Graeme Collins - keyboards, vocals Graham Harvey - bass guitar Ray Mercer - lead guitar, vocals Michael Parlane - drums (replaced by Bruce Whitelaw) Bruce Whitelaw - drums Sergent.com.au - Dedikation Discography Singles The Dedikation - "Hayride" / "Bare Footin' - Polydor 425211 - 1969 The Dedikation - "Wait for Me Mary-Anne" / "Sally Had a Party" - Polydor 425213 - 1969 The Dedikation - "Ruby Tuesday" / "Be a Woman" - Polydor 425224 - 1969 45Cat - The Dedikation - Discography Albums Dedication - Philips BY 843088 - 1969 Dedication - Breeder Backtrack Archive Series BY 843088 - 2001 (Unofficial Austrian LP release)Discogs - The Dedikation – The Dedikation Appearances Upside Down: Coloured Dreams from the Underworld: Volume Seven 1965-1970, PARTCD4101Forced Exposure - VA Upside Down: Coloured Dreams from the Underworld: Volume Seven 1965-1970
Further reading New Zealand TV Weekly, July 7, 1969, (page unknown) ... on the TV BEAT with KEVIN MILLS, Breaking Into The Big Time References