Philip Humphrey Garland
6394 Aged 75
Phil was born in Christchurch on 9 February 1942, the eldest son of Humphrey (2681) and Ruth Garland (nee Tully). He received his primary school education firstly at Opawa School and then The Cathedral Grammar School, before entering College as a day pupil in Julius House from 1955 to 1959. He played rugby as a prop forward eventually captaining the 3rd XV and also played a couple of games in that position for the 1st XV. Phil also played cricket for 3rd XI as a left hand opening batsman and right arm medium pace bowler going on to represent Canterbury schoolboys in their grade. He was a member of the College Sea Cadet Corps and would have liked to join the RNZN. Sadly, this was not to be as his colour vision let him down. Undeterred, after leaving school, Phil first joined the Union Steam Shipping Company in Christchurch and then Shaw, Savill & Albion Line with the intention of becoming a purser, but music got in the way. Whilst still at College, he and a schoolmate saw the film ‘Rock around The Clock’ and, as a consequence, began playing rock music with the local church youth club band, plus, with mates from College, formed a group who played at school dances. After leaving College Phil continued singing, playing at popular dance halls and then formed his own group – ‘The Playboys’ – with a co- vocalist who was to become well known as Dinah Lee. In 1962, he resigned from Shaw Savill & Albion because the rock group was invited to Auckland. Phil recorded a number 1 hit and soon after returned to Christchurch continuing to work in the local rock scene.
At this time folk music claimed his interest and became the field to dominate his future career. In 1968 he was the founding president of the Christchurch Folk Club, filling that position for a number of years. From 1978-1985 Phil also became the organiser of the Canterbury Folk Festival. He wrote a number of songs and set others to music, gaining international attention. His albums made the finals of the New Zealand Music Awards no less than six times, winning three Tuis for Best Folk Album. Also, a radio documentary he produced for NZ Radio won an international accolade in 1977. In the mid 1980s he lived in Australia where he cemented his reputation as a performing artist before returning to New Zealand in 1996. Phil had published two books by this time, detailing his work in New Zealand folk music. After residing in North Canterbury, he and his partner Jan, relocated to Te Aroha in the Waikato. Whilst there, he was recognised for his 50 years of work in the New Zealand folk music industry being awarded the QSM in 2014. Sadly, Jan died in December 2016, and Phil’s health, not the best over the previous two years, began to decline forcing him to stop touring. Phil suddenly and unexpectedly died on 15 March 2017. His funeral was held in Christchurch, attended by hundreds of friends and fellow musicians. He is survived by four daughters, one step-daughter and two step-sons, an older sister and brother Mike (7294), and six grandchildren. From 1967 to 2015, he recorded some 19 albums, both solo and as a member of different groups.
Chronicle 2017
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