Dylan Taite

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British-born Dylan Taite was New Zealand's top rock music journalist. Born in Liverpool in 1939, he moved to New Zealand, where he started working as a television journalist in the early 1970s. A passionate music fan (and, during his youth, a drummer), he soon began making his reputation with eccentric interviews of top musicians which came as close to gonzo journalism as New Zealand had known.

Trying to separate the truth from the myth in Taite's career is difficult, but it is known that he was as highly regarded by musicians as by the public, and was able to gain access to frank interviews with normally reticent stars. His interviews of Bob Marley (while playing games of soccer) are regarded as the best the reggae musician ever gave. Taite is also reputed to have been behind some of the publicity stunts connected with Malcolm McLaren's time as manager of The Sex Pistols.

Taite was involved in a car accident in December 2002, and despite not appearing to be badly injured at the time, his health deteriorated and he lapsed into a coma the following month. He died on January 21, 2003.

1979 Interview with Bob Marley