John Rowles - Island In The Sun (live 1981)

Here is something extraordinary, representative of everything Slydogmania is about - an unearthed treasure and breathtaking performance by New Zealand's greatest singer and musical artist John Rowles. In absolute peak form, John proves he is arguably the best male singer of all time, with dazzling good looks to match, singing his smash hit Island In The Sun backed by a childrens choir. Enjoy!

[@ThirdBookShoptu1zp]

Funny, I'm a lad of the Clash, Pistols and Siouxsie Sioux, I was in my days a skinhead (BRIT) a punk and new romantic, I loved and enjoyed my youth, my style and life, BUT here I am listening to this guy, who I never heard of, life teaches you, Once your time is gone, go back and discover what you missed and do not criticise the present youth and style

[@slydogmania]

Great comment

[@John_Michael2000]

I just discovered him too.. Someone wrote a comment on one of my songs I posed here and he said that I reminded him of John Rowles. So I started listening to him and went DAMN! I could do his songs.. What do you think? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3TNmH-Km8yMhZo

[@2352anne]

Agree 💯! Well said! 👍👍👍

[@ceciliavera4154]

Aun me pregunto como es que jamás conocí a este gran cantante con tremenda voz, por qué !? Oí la primera y ya quiero oír más

[@choirmaster55]

I grew up with Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck but I never heard John Rowles. Too bad media is selective of who we hear and see. Beatutiful crooner

[@Alan-gh8X]

This is the best version I have heard, I always thought know one could sing it like Harry belafonte but sir John rowles wins hands down

[@josefkopacz1144]

I agree 💯 percent. John Rowles is the King of the southern hemisphere. Great Voice.

[@ursulawilhelm3974]

Da kann ich mich gerne anschließen ❤

[@DawnS-k4x]

Sir John Rowles you have an Amazing beautiful voice🎉

[@edrose3710]

My daughter who lives in NZ played this song for me. I love it and have now found more John Rowlles beautiful songs.

[@suekelsall1595]

Does your daughter support the all blacks he played and captained for many years a remarkable man

[@BahrizalShadow]

Henry Belafonte n Elvis Presley n Frank Sinatra n Mat Monroe n Jhon Rowles belong to the elite Group of Finest Talent.

[@musicandbooklover-p2o]

Brings back many many memories from my childhood. Great singer.

[@lorainetaylor2012]

Absolutely fantastic John Rowles is one of the best singers New Zealand has ever had Thankyou Sir John

[@Rome274]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written

[@audreyharries4019]

It will always be Harry Belafonte's song for me as I used to listen to it as a very young child because my dad used to play it and I have loved it ever since. However, John Rowles' rendition is absolutely fantastic - always thought his voice was beautiful and such a handsome man.

[@inktvis6453]

Wonderful performance

[@edmundkhoo6238]

John Rowles has such a soothing and powerful voice that delivers this song with effortless ease. His voice is truly a gift from God.

[@wabarauzor3243]

On my dieing bed at a very old age, this would probably be the last song I'll listen to before departing this realm🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ruthau7999]

John Rowles was big in Hawaii back in the day - Aloha !

[@cheyanne9733]

One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard

[@BahrizalShadow]

I have listened to both, that by Henry Belafonte n this cover by Jhon Rowles. I objectively state that both are of equal greatness n talent n singing skills. May God bless them.

[@christinemorrall]

What a beautiful voice and a beautiful man Love this 😊

[@JaniceHingston-cl9gi]

He is the most beautifull man and what a voice Love him so ❤

[@nanettenn9734]

Reminds Me A Bit Like Engelbert Humperdinck Who Is Also Soooo Handsome and A Fabulous Singer !!! ❤Love Engel To Forever , My IDOL 🥰

[@yokwez96]

first time to hear this artist... just a Genuine, beautiful, strong voice... WOW

[@bosshogg1915]

Beautiful. The man....and the song.

[@eileenoconnor8838]

How lovely is this video,great song , great singer!!!

[@jenniferflower4173]

Totally agree, I grew up with this music, love it.

[@davidvaughan3541]

yes fantastic that this GEM has surfaced after all this time and here for everyone to see. John rowles performed this in 1981 for a royal concert here in NZ. It was overshadowed a little at the time by SIr Howard Morrison who sang How Great THou Art on the same night and stole the show - and the music charts at the time. THis however is an absolute classic and the best performance of this song in my view. Undoubtedly one of John Rowles Greatest Hits.

[@robin14ize]

Johns voice is so inviting you can feel you are with him on the shining sands. beautiful

[@robin14ize]

What a magical voice --- Feel like I am on the shining sand with him.

[@travisraul3646]

Just beautiful beautiful

[@SILVIAGROEGOR]

Bring back all the grate songs come on wee need them ❤❤❤

[@ddempsey9642]

The backing singers sound marvellous too, lovely voices with genuine feeling.

[@jimmykouba4494]

Love the song as first time hearing it for this American. Wow he truly has a voice that one could heat for hours.

[@Swanoaks]

Seen John many times singing in Rotorua New Zealand, when I lived there. Kiwi from Virginia

[@user-pq7rm9se8m]

Kpros O Kk Johnrowledsm Джон Роу

[@robin14ize]

Oh what a beautiful voice. Can imagine everything being there with him as he sings along. I have flutters still listening to him since his time began.

[@mariahawkins2992]

Ataahua my kiwi brother John Rowles from our Aotearoa love your music ❤❤

[@ursulawilhelm3974]

Eine traumhafte Darbietung . Ein wunderbares Lied und eine Stimme die Gänsehaut bereitet. Klasse und herzlichen Dank ❤

[@denisemccormack1025]

A beautiful natural singer with an amazing voice love listening to him ❤ 💕 I so enjoyed his shows in NZ and was lucky to see him perform in Hawaii

[@johnlord4075]

No one better. John Rowles brings a Pasifika version with his powerful but beautiful voice while Harry Belafonte is more of the Calypso crooner. Both outstanding

[@russellberzinski6863]

What a great voice

[@louiserawle8999]

BREATHTAKINGLY HANDSOME AND HEAVENLY VOICE

[@fionagreaves2836]

Very handsome with a fantastic voice.What else can you ask for.

[@Johnathonsmum]

AMAZING…..always loves John Rowles

[@FLG232]

Brilliant voice

[@eileenoconnor8838]

Bet the guest s of honour loved it too!!!🌹☘️🇦🇺

[@jaiganesh8230]

Wonderful

[@sherrywestern3508]

So beautiful! God bless him!

[@alentzen53]

Very nice ! Love it listen this. 👏

[@dileepnaik1312]

I have been doing this song since I started singing. John is singing with great justification to the song. Salute him

[@jaiganesh8230]

Lovely sir. Thanks

[@HenriHattar]

Although a New Zealander got his breaks on Australian T V under the name of J R on Brian Hendersons BANDSTAND, should have been bigger !

[@pumkinpatch]

I remember this song in the 70s

[@Zealand983]

John Rowles es insuperable.

[@gilbertalleaume3982]

Bless you John rowles

[@femmyhoely4528]

Sangat indah👍👍 lagu yang bagus..penyanyi yang indah ❤

[@nataliegold6584]

I never though anyone could equal Harry Belafonte in performing this lovely lyrical song - I was quite wrong - magical.... what a superb artiste

[@petrusdijkzeul4257]

he may be half white but still better than belafonte

[@musicandbooklover-p2o]

@@petrusdijkzeul4257 And what does his mothers skin colour have to do with anything? He was and is a fabulous singer.

[@MK-oc4gt]

@@petrusdijkzeul4257 What a dumb comment! Do you always judge people like that? Educate yourself. 🙄 He has Maori whakapapa and that's what matters and actually he gets his good looks from his Maori dad.

[@MK-oc4gt]

Harry will always be number one in my book. Apart from being a great singer he was also a well known activist in the days of MLK. John's version of this song is right up there though and can't be faulted.

[@MK-oc4gt]

@@musicandbooklover-p2o you're right it was an ignorant comment!

[@billblignaut9636]

Beautiful.

[@mystikangelnz]

Rest in Love Nana ❤😔

[@travisraul3646]

Beautiful singer

[@gillianbaird3458]

He is memorising ❤❤❤

[@rustyone9054]

I have yet to hear John Rowles sing a song that I wouldn't want to listen to repeatedly, but for Island in the Sun I think that Harry Belafonte's version just pips him to the post. Maybe it's simply because that was the first version that i know from my childhood? 🤔

[@rolandbendig0815]

Wow

[@maxruby963]

best version by far...

[@louiserawle8999]

A beautiful Maori

[@MK-oc4gt]

Indeed! 😊

[@gilbertalleaume3982]

John could you please sing the song comme what may

[@viviennejamaicawi605]

🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@lindajack7969]

Gosh how old is he? I thought he was in his 20’s but this was recorded in 1981! What??

[@glenysreed4354]

😊❤❤❤🎉🎉😊❤❤❤

[@visnjanesbit7453]

❤

[@dannycotton5271]

I'm back

[@louiserawle8999]

Will always be Ja_ar from Bandstand to me

[@louiserawle8999]

@@stantutak5579 SO What numb nuts

[@touch3010]

What can one say. Beautiful.....just Beautiful. As a teenager and 20's I didn't like him

[@user-hh2xe6yt9l]

Even. Pouwseren

[@carlosmassoco3099]

Engelbert

[@MK-oc4gt]

Similar but nope! 😊

[@fatimadouro8948]

John, great singer

[@gilbertalleaume3982]

Yes Mr roweles please sing comme what may