Dragon

Formed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1972, Dragon is a rock and pop band best known for a string of hits in the late 1970s and throughout most of the 1980s. Founded by Todd Hunter (bass), Ray Goodwin (guitar), Graeme Collins (vocals), and Neil Reynolds (drums), the band has undergone numerous personnel changes with Todd Hunter being the only founding member to remain in the line-up since their inception. Although Graeme Collins was the group’s original frontman, he left the band in 1973 and was replaced by bassist Todd’s brother Marc Hunter. After their first two albums – Universal Radio (1974) and Scented Gardens for the Blind (1975) – Dragon relocated to Australia and achieved their first taste of success with the release of the singles “This Time” (1976), “Get That Jive” (1977) and “Sunshine” (1977) and the album Sunshine (1977), all of which landed in the Top 40.  Their first big chart hit was “April Sun in Cuba,” which climbed to number 2. The group achieved their first number 1 single with “Are You Old Enough” in 1978, but Dragon broke up in 1979. Initially intending to pay off debts, Dragon reunited in 1982 for a tour and a new album. The line-up included the Hunter brothers, keyboardist Paul Hewson, guitarist Robert Taylor, and drummer Kerry Jacobson. This line-up achieved a surprise number 2 hit with the 1983 “Rain,” and decided to make the reunion permanent. Drummer Jacobson was replaced by former XTC drummer Terry Chambers in 1983 (who would leave the band two years later). Dragon continued to tour and release albums until another brief split in 1988 before returning the following year. Members of the group during this period included acclaimed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and keyboardist Alan Mansfield. Todd Hunter retired from the group in 1995, and the band split two years later when vocalist Marc Hunter was diagnosed with throat cancer. Marc Hunter died on July 17, 1998. His death followed the untimely deaths of drummer Neil Storey (1976) and keyboardist Paul Hewson (1985). Nearly 20 years after his brother’s death, Todd Hunter reunited the band in 2006 and continues to lead a version of Dragon over 50 years after their formation. Founder member Graeme Collins died in 2001 while original guitarist Ray Goodwin died in 2022. Keyboardist Alan Mansfield died on October 16, 2024, after a three-year battle with cancer.