Mark Williams (singer)

Mark Williams
Mark Williams performing with Dragon in 2009.
Background information
Origin	Dargaville, Northland, New Zealand
Genres	Rock pop soul
Years active	1970–present
Associated acts	The Face Boy Rocking Dragon

Mark Williams (born 1953) is a New Zealand-born pop/soul singer with Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) number one hit singles, "Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life" (1975) and a cover of Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (1977) before he relocated to Australia later that year. His single, "Show No Mercy" (1990) was a top ten hit in both countries. He has undertaken extensive touring in support of numerous Australian bands and worked in television, in 2005 he became the vocalist for the reformed New Zealand/Australian band, Dragon.

Williams was born in Dargaville in the Northland region of New Zealand and at 16 started up a band called 'The Face' with classmates. The band went on to win the Northland heat of the National Battle of the Bands competition in September 1970, and finished third overall in the grand final held in Auckland in the new year.

One of the judges at the final was Lew Pryme, and he recognised the potential of the group and became their manager. A single "Hangin' Around"/"Mr Postman" was released in 1972 on Zodiac and a national tour followed. In 1973, Mack Tane left and he was replaced by Bruce Robinson, previously of the Pleazers, Troubled Mind and Flinders.

When the television show "Happen Inn" finished in 1973, a new show emerged. It was called "Free Ride" and was hosted by Ray Columbus. Lew convinced Williams to leave the Face and pursue a solo career at the time the new show was being launched. Whilst becoming a featured artist on the show, "Free Ride" will always be remembered for launching the career of Williams.

Late in 1974 Williams was signed to EMI by Alan Galbraith. A single was released at the end of 1974, "Celebration"/"Let Love Come Between Us", but it was another song from the recording sessions that really stood out. Alan Galbraith had taken a Vanda and Young song, originally destined for Craig Scott, and given it a new arrangement. The song "Yesterday Was Just The Beginning of My Life" backed with "Jimmy Loves Marianne" was released in May 1975 and within 6 weeks was number one on the National Charts, staying there for 3 weeks and eventually falling out of the charts 6 months later.