'What a legend!' Man jamming bass on Whangarei bridge goes viral

A Northland man has shot to fame after he was filmed parked up in the middle of the road to play his bass guitar on a Whangarei bridge.

While local man Pete Metcalfe was waiting for the Whangarei bridge to close he jumped out of his car, plugged his bass into the amp in his boot before turning up his car stereo and slapping the strings.

In the video Metcalfe plays along to Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity.

The former engineer, who has been "boot jamming" for nearly a year, told the Herald it was a spontaneous decision to play on the bridge.

"I was cruising over the bridge thinking where am I going to play? I was going to play in the car park. But the lights came on and the barrier dropped in front of me so I thought, 'ha, that'll do'!

"I kicked open the doors and began to play. I didn't realise I was being filmed."

The Whangarei local said he's immensely humbled by the reaction he's received from New Zealand and around the world.

Pete Metcalfe busts out the grooves on the bass while waiting for the Whangarei bridge to close. Photo / Luke Dixon / Facebook

"It's not about the fame. I didn't do it to be famous. If it was planned it wouldn't have had the same impact.

"I just want it to encourage people to be who they are, don't be afraid of what other people think, to just be yourself because we're all individuals.

"It's given the people pride in Whangarei and New Zealand pride. This is the real New Zealand I know. It's not about me, it's about being yourself and being Kiwis and being who we are.

"I do it because I think it's cool. If I saw someone doing that on the side of the road I'd screech to a halt to go and have a listen.

"It's the little things, man. It's the smile that you can give someone. One little smile makes playing all worth while. It's bloody exciting.

Pete Metcalfe kicking out the jams in Whangarei. Photo / Luke Dixon / Facebook

The video has been viewed more than 500,000 times in less than 24 hours and has even be shared by the band itself.

"What a legend!" one person wrote.

"This man is living life and living life showing how it's done and using every opportunity to make the best of any moment! Rock on dude."

"Just goes to show inspired people just get inspired, no proper time or place," another wrote.

It may not be the last we see of Metcalfe. The former engineer plans to keep playing music out the back of his car and is hoping others will one day join him.

"All it takes is for one person to start playing. Soon word spreads and 10 minutes later someone comes down with a guitar and a drum. You can be on a beach or in a car park and you have music."