The Headliners 2004

SHOW-STOPPER: Richard O'Brien

Source: Waikato Times print edition

18 December 2004 

SUSAN PEPPERELL picks the Waikato's top 10 newsmakers for the year 

[snip]

RICHARD O'BRIEN

This is the story of a former Hamiltonian, who left to find fame and fortune, but was never given due recognition in the place it all began - until now. O'Brien, the creator of cult musical The Rocky Horror Show, finally had Hamilton pay him his dues in NOvember with the unveiling of a statue in Victoria St. Riff Raff - the Rocky Horror character O'Brien portrayed in the movie - now sits proudly on the site of a former barber shop, which sat in front of the now-demolished Embassy Theatre.

O'Brien returned for the triumphant unveiling - a midnight funtasia of fireworks, fish nets and fantasy. When the wraps came off, O'Brien picked up a guitar and on a stage high above the street , led thousands in the most recognisable tune of the show: The Time Warp.

[snip] 

The other nine were

ALISON ANNAN, controversial Cambridge High School Principal.

CONJOINED TWINS, seperated at Waikato Hospital.

CAROLINE AND GEORGINA EVERS-SWINDELL. unconjoined rowers win lots.

JONO GIBBES, Waikato Rugby's Player of the Year.

MICHAEL KING, star historian and Riff Raff sceptic died.

NANAIA MAHUTA, Tainui MP rebelled against the Seabed and Foreshore Bill.

LYN MASON, oldest woman to give birth in New Zealand, again.

MICHAEL REDMAN, the then flash new Mayor, but now CEO, of Hamilton

SARAH ULMER, the golden girl cyclist.