'Wild Thing' hitmakers The Troggs coming to Tauranga

The 1960s band that made the song Wild Thing an international hit are coming to New Zealand.

The Troggs will perform in Tauranga later this year as part of a national tour to commemorate their 50th anniversary.

The Troggs are also known for hits including With A Girl Like You, I Can't Control Myself, and Love Is all Around.

Wild Thing was such a hit that Jimi Hendrix covered it with a legendary performance at Monterey in 1967.

Guitarist Chris Britton said the song was so simple, anyone could play it and remember the words.

Their follow up to Wild Thing, With A Girl Like You, shot to number one in New Zealand with its infectious and melodic "Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba's ". The Ba's are later rejigged and used on the more primal I Can't Control Myself that starts with the unholy "Oh nooooo" and the memorable line "Your slacks are low and your hips are showing".

Love Is All Around was a smash ballad in 1967 and would be resurrected nearly 30 years later by Wet Wet Wet for the movie Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994.

The Troggs
- The Troggs last toured NZ in the eighties with Christchurch rock and roll legend Richie Venus
- NZ punk legend Chris Knox is a huge Troggs fan, and in a Rip It Up review from the early 80s wrote that a Trogg's Mainstreet show was even better than Toy Love on their best night.
- The Troggs most famous manager Larry Page is the father of Ashley Page who currently manages brother and sister duo Broods.
- The Troggs are now Chris Britton (still) on lead (and stun) guitar , Dave Maggs on drums, Peter Lucas on bass and Chris Allen on vocals

They still make everything groovy.