Sidewalk Sally History

Sidewalk Sally was formed in early 1987 when Adrian Cartwright left long term Regines Niteclub’s resident band Ex-Rated to go to Australia.
Remaining members, Bill Acklin and Barry McConnachie introduced bass player Seth Dickinson and Sidewalk Sally was born.
It wasn’t long before vocalist Donna Powell was added to the group.

Bill eventually decided to branch out as a solo artist and Sidewalk Sally settled into the core 3 piece
                                    that would form the basis of the band for the next 7 years.

Pretty soon the lure of a fixed term residency at Sammys Niteclub meant the addition of John Garbutt on keyboards and guitar.
                 Following John’s departure at the end of the residency, the format of 2 female vocalists was established             .
   with Lisa Cameron, Wendy Williams and Diana Leonard in turn providing the foil to Donna’s dynamic performances.
This saw Sidewalk Sally become the main resident band at Regines Niteclub..

By the mid nineties however, parenting responsibilities and the changing licensing trade,
with larger venues giving way to smaller CBD based bars, saw things slow down for Sidewalk Sally.
After a brief existence as a 3 piece private function band, with Donna and Barry joined by Alan Crawford on bass,
Sidewalk Sally retired off the streets at the end of 1996.

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and following numerous requests for a reunion,
the Dunedin Heritage Festival presented the opportunity for a Regines reunion
featuring Ex-Rated and Sidewalk Sally

This hugely successful night lead to Sidewalk Sally playing at the NZ Masters Games
with the original lineup of Donna, Seth, Barry, Bill Acklin, with guest Marcel Rodeka on drums.

Donna and Barry kept the momentum going at a level that could be sustained around family and work lives…
"once more before we die” the catch cry.

Initially an informal 'Donna and Barry' Acoustic Duo, then Whateva with Michaela Anderson as second vocalist.
Since 2010, the current 2 piece Sidewalk Sally has been continuing the legacy.

                       .