Melodic Rock outfit DRAGON would enjoy a career that would see the band becoming one of New Zealand's biggest musical exports. Former STAFF and ANTEAPOT bassist Todd Hunter and ex-JACOB MANNING guitarist Ray Goodwin created DRAGON in Auckland during early 1972. Joining them were RED HOT PEPPERS drummer Neil Reynolds and ex-HUMAN INSTINCT vocalist Graeme Collins. Before too long both Collins and Reynolds were out with fresh recruits the former MANDRAKE duo of singer Ivan Thompson and drummer Neil Storey. The latter had also been a member of BILLY T.K.'S POWERHOUSE.

DRAGON toured New Zealand relentlessly building up an enviable reputation for wild stage shows. Dates included supports to URIAH HEEP and later SPLIT ENZ drummer Geoff Chun came in and out of the band. The attention soon prompted a record deal with major label Vertigo for their 1974 Art- Rock debut 'Universal Radio'. A follow up 'Scented Gardens For The Blind' followed a year later with new guitarist Robert Macklin Taylor, previously with MAMMAL.

DRAGON opted to relocate to Australia in an effort to crack the international market. This move merely brought disaster though as the band's gear was stolen. However, DRAGON did get to support British Boogie Rock merchants STATUS QUO on their 1975 tour of Australia. The band added a keyboard player, fellow New Zealander and ex-FREEDOM EXPRESS and CRUISE LANE man Paul Hewson. Before the end of the year though Goodwin bailed out.

CBS Records signed the band up in 1976 giving DRAGON their first hit as 'This Time' reached number 26 on the Australian charts. This turnaround in the band's fortunes was marred by the tragic death of Storey, the drummer dying from a drug overdose. The position was taken by another ex-MAMMAL member Kerry Jacobson as DRAGON set about numerous national tours. DRAGON scored another hit in 1977 with 'Get That Jive' opening the way for their first chart album 'Sunshine'. (This album was issued under the title of 'Same Old Blues' in America).

1977 also gave DRAGON their biggest hit to date with 'April Sun In Cuba' reaching number 2 in Australia and number 9 in New Zealand. It was only kept off the Aussie top spot by WINGS 'Mull Of Kintyre'.

During early 1978 DRAGON opened for BOZ SCAGGS on his tour of Australia as Portrait issued the repackage album 'Dragon' in America.

DRAGON's next album proper 'O Zambezi' proved their flame was far from waning. The album reached number 4 in Australia while the single 'Are You Old Enough?' shot to the number 1 position. The band toured America as support to the JOHNNY WINTER BAND and caused media uproar when Marc Hunter virtually caused a riot in Dallas when he invited the crowd to wreck the venue furniture. The writing was on the wall and in early 1979 DRAGON had no choice but to fire their singer. Although the whole band were by notorious for their wild lifestyle Marc Hunter's drug addiction was now jeopardizing the future of the band.

Marc Hunter travelled to Morocco but returned to Australia to record his 'Fiji Bitter' hit album. He played live billed as MARC HUNTER AND THE ROMANTICS, an act that evolved into the more straightforward MARC HUNTER BAND. A further act, the knockabout HEADHUNTERS with KEVIN BORICH and ROSE TATTOO guitarist Mick Cocks followed.

DRAGON's new singer was ex-SIDEWINDER man Richard Lee. The band also augmented their sound with saxophonist / pianist Billy Rogers. The resulting album, 'Power Play', failed to chart. Dismayed DRAGON folded before the close of the year.

Meantime MARC HUNTER had fostered a successful solo career with another charting album 'Big City Talk' in 1981. Todd Hunter joined XL CAPRIS, Hewson teamed up with THE PINK FLAMINGOS. Jacobson joined the WILLY WINTER BAND then the KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS. Taylor allied himself with THE MAGNETICS.

In 1982 the 'Class Reunion' tour found DRAGON back on the road with the Hunter brothers, Taylor, Hewson and Jacobson. Bouyed by the ecstatic crowd reactions received DRAGON issued a single on EMI 'Ramona' to test the waters. Inexplicably it failed to chart. Undaunted the band signed to Mercury who gave them another monster hit with 'Rain'.

However, Jacobson had to forego his position in the band due to ill health and XTC drummer Englishman Terry Chambers took the drum stool. DRAGON also pulled in keyboard player Alan Mansfield, producer of the 'Rain' hit.

Back to full strength DRAGON's 1984 album, the AOR orientated 'Body And The Beat', gave them another top five album and yet another hit with 'Cry'. Marc Hunter also found time to aid erstwhile STATUS QUO bassist Alan Lancaster's THE PARTY BOYS. Later that year DRAGON recorded in America. Intent on cracking America the band changed its name to HUNTER for the American market. Tragedy struck again though as the band suffered another death, Hewson dying in New Zealand during January 1985.

A live album was issued as behind the scenes DRAGON underwent numerous personnel changes. Taylor and Chambers quit. American ex-RIVETS / JETHRO TULL drummer Doane Perry stepped in and guitar duties were handed over to ex-LIFESAVERS member Don Miller-Robinson. The latter's tenure was fleeting though as he found himself substituted by Tommy Emmanuel.

The band were soon back in action with the 1986 TODD RUNDGREN produced 'Dreams Of Ordinary Men'. As HUNTER the act toured Europe as support to TINA TURNER in 1987. Unfortunately journalists in Germany found the name HUNTER to be too Heavy Metal!

The band scored another hit with a cover of KOOL AND THE GANG's 'Celebration' in 1988 but yet again the band splintered. In down time Marc Hunter performed with THE WILD COLONIAL BOYS, a jamming act including ROSE TATTOO's ANGRY ANDERSON and Mick Cocks.

The Hunter brothers plus Mansfield put the band back together and were now augmented temporarily by AVION guitarist Randall Waller and former MODELS drummer Barton Price although Emmanuel sessioned for the 1989 'Bondi Road' album. This record found song-writing contributions from AOR diva SHARON O'NEILL. A permanent guitarist was drafted in the form of ex-SCRIBBLE member Mike Caen whilst ex-AUSTRALIAN CRAWL drummer John Watson performed on the album too.

1995's 'Incarnations' album witnessed the band re-recording their mega hits 'Rain', 'April Sun In Cuba' and 'Are You Old Enough?'. The line up for this album included the Hunters, Mansfield, Caen, Emmanuel and SWANEE and BIG ROCK BAND guitarist Peter Northcote. Guests included KEVIN BORICH and RENÉE GEYER.

DRAGON toured Australia for the last time in 1996. Joining the band were former BRAINCHILD guitarist Ange Tsoitoudis, ex-SCARY MOTHER bassist Dario Bortolin and JUDGE MERCY drummer Mick O'Shea. The final line up, operating from late 1996 into 1997, comprised Marc Hunter, Alan Mansfield, Mick O'Shea, Ange Tsoitoudis, second guitarist Mike Caen and BLUETONGUE bass player Billy Kervin. A sad footnote to the band's career is that Marc Hunter succumbed to cancer of the throat in mid 1998.

Former keyboard player Alan Mansfield, united with vocalist Doc Neeson and guitarist Jim Hilburn of THE ANGELS would be on the road in Australia during 2003 billed as DOC NEESON'S ANGELS.