John Rowles says he and Winston Peters get together for a nice lunch with the best chardonnay whenever they can. Photo / Supplied
Legendary crooner John Rowles will open NZ First's election campaign with one of his old mate Winston Peters' favourite songs - a cover of Frank Sinatra's My Way.
And Rowles will also sing his classic hit Cheryl Moana Marie because the sister he named the song after is
a big fan of Mr Peters and a NZ First voter.
Rowles said he had reworked the opening lyrics of My Way especially for tomorrow afternoon's performance at the Waipuna Hotel, Mt Wellington.
Rowles, 61, said he and Mr Peters, 63, had a lot in common. "We've got the same hair style - almost. Over the years I've gathered lots of confidence in what I do and Winston has that same aura about him."
Asked who had the better dress sense, Rowles replied: "Oh Winston's very good - I'd have to say we're equal."
He was yet to see Mr Peters looking "rough and tacky", although he had not been out fishing with him.
Rowles said he would vote for NZ First at next month's election. "I always thought he [Mr Peters] should have become prime minister."
Rowles said he and Mr Peters met about 20 years ago, and they became close about the time of comedian Billy T James' funeral in 1991.
They met up whenever they could, either in New Zealand or at Rowles' home in Sydney.
"I'm a wine drinker and Winston is a connoisseur too, so we order a nice bottle of the best chardonnay and enjoy a nice lunch with that."
Rowles said he had no hesitation in agreeing to a request from Mr Peters' staff to open the campaign.
He said that given Mr Peters' recent political imbroglio, it was "just not right" to sing his 1968 hit The night we called it a day, even though it was another of the NZ First leader's favourites. He wanted to "keep it positive".
He would probably choose songs from his new album The Singer & The Songs to fill out the repertoire.
Rowles embarks on a nationwide tour next month.
