Billy T James’ death left “a huge void in New Zealand culture”

When Billy T James, the comedian with the cheeky little laugh and the yellow napkin around his neck, first entered the Herald the “T” mark had not yet been added to its name.

It was in 1978, when the new cabaret number created by Billy T – who died that day in 1991, at the age of 43 – was flourishing and he was nominated for the Artist’s Award for the year.

Billy was different from comedians or overseas stars, he felt like he was part of us

By the time of its second newspaper appearance six months later, the T had arrived in print form.

Max Cryer’s description in 1980, in the Herald, from the artist’s earlier career credits singer Prince Tui Teka with the proposed name rearrangement – from William James Te Wehi Taitoko to Billy T James.

Magician Mick Peck, Variety Artists Club 2016 Variety Artist of the Year, said Billy T’s death left “a huge void in New Zealand culture … Decades later, there was still no one like Billy T. “

Cryer wrote that Tui Teka, who like Billy T had been part of the internationally successful group The Maori Volcanics, had also urged him to go solo. He was in Surfers Paradise at the time.

“There, part of the incredible network of ‘old boys’ of Maori artists that is spread all over the world, came to the surface, guided it and helped establish it.”

From Cambridge, the city of his birth in 1949, Billy T moved at age 11 with his family to Whangarei. After school he studied at Elam Art School in Auckland and did a five-year apprenticeship to become a commercial artist.

He returned to Whangarei to drive a truck until he joined the Auckland Radars group and in the mid-1970s he was asked to join the Volcanics.

A Herald obituary noted the time Billy T spent in the military before his stint as a truck driver and was accepted into traffic cop training (at a time when police in traffic was not a police coup).

“The real Billy was never in the body of traffic cops.” But a “cop in jodhpur” has become one of his most famous characters.

Eponym Billy T James Show hit television in 1981 and he was the artist of the year in just a few months.

“While garnering praise,” the obituary continued, “Billy T James also garnered criticism for alleged racist jokes. His Maori characters were seen by some as demeaning. He was accused of using his origin Maori to mock where others couldn’t.

“The artist rejected the beards. ‘I’ve been called a racist, but I don’t think I am. If they listen to what I’m doing, the character always comes out on top.”

“His skits were, he said,” ethnic representations. “

In 1985, the Herald tested its portrayal of Maori by seeking the opinions of six well-known Maori men, including District Court Judge Mick Brown and Head of Hato Petera College, Toby Curtis.

Brown said: “… I can understand the sensitivity of the half-gallon jar type of humor, which is maybe a negative stereotype that is not desirable … One of the sad things about a lot of those who are terribly outraged is that they lose their sense of humor … “

Curtis said: “I think if he is just playing for a Maori audience it’s okay. But I think a lot of people, especially non-Maori, don’t understand the nuances and intentions of his humor and they might. easily misinterpret what it is. about. “

Billy T’s death – from heart failure, following a heart transplant in 1989 and before that from quadruple cardiac bypass surgery – sparked a family feud over funeral arrangements.

His body was removed from his family home in Muriwai, to rest at the Waahi and Turangawaewae marae in Waikato. After the tangi he was buried at Taupiri Mountain as he wanted, but the planned funeral he wanted in Auckland was canceled and a memorial service was held later.

Billy T’s grave was marked with a white wooden cross until 2000, when a stone bearing his likeness in a red “Top Gun” cap was placed at one end and, within weeks, a carving in the shape of from flower to flower.

Mick Peck traveled to Taupiri in 2013 to pay tribute to Billy T and take some pictures.

“Growing up in New Zealand in the 1980s, Billy was an absolute icon to me,” Peck says.

“What really set him apart was his wide range of skills. He had brilliant timing for acting, he was an incredible impersonator and impersonator, a talented musician, an actor and a singer. Billy was a true performer. varieties in every sense of the word. “

“I still remember the day at school when we found out he was dead, it was a really strange day and for us and looking back, it was probably the first time we saw an icon. pass away.

“Billy was different from comedians or stars overseas, he felt like part of us. Billy’s charisma made him feel like a friend of the family.”