Alastair Riddell (born 1952) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter.
Background
Riddell is a musician and a film maker. He has a singing style that was likened to a combination of Bryan Ferry and David Bowie.<ref>Salient, Vol. 38, No. 4, 1975 Space Waltz featuring Alastair Riddell (EMI)</ref> Prior to 1974, he was in a band called Orb with Eddie Rayner. Then later, the two of them were in Space Waltz.
In 1968, Alastair started a newsletter called "Bluesnews" and also organised the First National Blues Convention, held at Mollers Farm in Oratia, Auckland.
Career
Original Sun
In 1967, Original Sun Blues Band was formed by the original line-up consisting of Riddell on rhythm guitar and vocals, Ron on drums, Peter Kershaw on bass guitar and vocals, and Henry Jackson on lead guitar. The band was influenced by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and American blues, with the band's name a nod to Son House. After Peter and Henry left the band, the name was shortened to Original Sun and consisted of Alastair on guitar and vocals, Ron on drums, and Peter Cuddihy on bass guitar. The new line-up took on the more adventurous blues sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. There are no known recordings of the band.
