Ken Lemon, a New Zealand country singer active during the 1960s and 1970s, remained dedicated to his day job throughout his musical career. When an employer denied him time off to tour with Joe Brown or his Viking Records labelmate Maria Dallas, he simply resigned and sought new employment. Based in Auckland, Lemon released his debut album in the United States, England, and South Africa during the 1960s and was a finalist for the Loxene Golden Disc with his song "Living In A House Full Of Love." However, by the late 1970s, he had largely faded from public view.
Born in 1939 in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England, Lemon engaged in social singing at pubs, dance halls, and talent competitions throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He and his brother trained as marine coppersmiths, contributing to projects like electric and atomic submarines, destroyers, and the ocean liner SS Oriana, which was launched in November 1959. Following their sister and her husband’s immigration to New Zealand, their mother wanted to keep the family united, prompting her, her husband, and the two Lemon brothers to move to Auckland around 1962.
Initially working at the Devonport dockyard, the brothers faced issues with punctuality despite living nearby, leading to their dismissal. While his brother returned to England, Ken Lemon transitioned to sheet metal engineering. After about six months, he entered a singing competition at the Shiralee in Customs Street, winning his heat and securing a role as the venue's resident singer on weekends. A deal with John Ewan of Octagon Records led to his first single, "Detroit City," recorded at Stebbing Studios with the backing of Rudy & The Crystals. His subsequent singles, a cover of Slim Whitman's "China Doll" and "Sailor Man," were released through a partnership between Octagon and Viking Records, although reception was mixed.
Lemon's music found its way to a jukebox in a pub owned by his sister and her husband, who had returned to England. During a performance at the Surfside Ballroom in Milford, Viking A&R director Ron Dalton was impressed by Lemon's rendition of Jim Reeves' "He’ll Have To Go," leading to a collaboration with Mike Perjanik and his band at Stebbings. This resulted in Lemon's debut LP, This Hombre Called Lemon, produced by Dalton and released on Viking in December 1965. The album featured tracks like Roger Miller’s "King Of The Road," Don Gibson’s "Oh Lonesome Me," and Jim Ruane’s "I’m Leaving Town."
Lemon embarked on his first national Miss New Zealand tour for promoter Joe Brown, balancing his work commitments with his musical aspirations. He developed a close friendship with singer Eddie Low, who encouraged him to consider opportunities in Australia. However, with family obligations, Lemon was hesitant to make the leap. His career gained momentum in 1966 with The Second Album, also produced by Dalton and recorded at HMV’s Wellington studio. This album included "Living In A House Full Of Love," which became a Loxene Golden Disc finalist, and featured several compositions by Lee Hazlewood.
As the 1960s concluded, Lemon frequently appeared on the NZBC television show The Country Touch, often performing duets with Kay Reilly. After experiencing diminished promotion and airplay with Viking Records, he was approached by a representative of Joe Brown, who expressed interest in recording him. Despite the initial enthusiasm, communication stalled, and Lemon ultimately confronted Brown, only to learn of Brown's focus on another artist, John Hore.
In 1972, Eldred Stebbing invited Lemon to create a budget album for his Zodiac label. The album, A Slice Of Lemon, produced by Barry Clewett, featured songs by notable artists such as Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. However, when production costs exceeded expectations, promotion was cut, leading to the album’s poor reception. Touring without the backing of Brown’s management proved challenging; Lemon, lacking instrumental skills, struggled to collaborate with pick-up bands that could not read music.
In 1974, he performed Glyn Tucker’s "Hard Lines, Son" on TV's Studio One song contest, competing against notable artists like Ray Columbus and Shona Laing. Although this exposure generated some work, it eventually dwindled to sporadic club performances. Lemon made a brief return to the studio in 1986 at the request of songwriter Harry McRae, recording "Roll On Waikato," which was released on Festival Records.
Throughout his career, Ken Lemon prioritized family over the aggressive self-promotion often necessary for success in the music industry. Consequently, he did not receive the recognition he deserved. His distinctive baritone voice remains memorable, particularly in "Living In A House Full Of Love," leaving listeners to ponder the extent of his potential had circumstances been different.
