Charlie Tumahai's Visa Problems in 1976-1977
Here are a variety of short articles which details some of the problems Charlie Tumahai encountered when trying to extend his work permit visa in England in 1976-1977 while with Be Bop Deluxe.  These articles don't follow in any chronological order, but the happy conclusions are put towards the bottom of this page.

Be-Bop: New Snag:

Be-Bop Deluxe have been told that their appeal against the deportation order served on bassist Charlie Tumahai, reported by NME three weeks ago, will not be heard until after they have left for their US tour beginning in early March.  This means that, if the appeal is not upheld, there is a strong possibility that Tumahai will not be allowed back into Britain.  New Zealander Tumahai's British work permit has now expired, but the band are claiming that his presence is essential to their musical approach.

Be-Bop were forced to postpone their gig at Leeds University last Wednesday (4).  They were flying direct from London after recording "Top Of The Pops", but their six-seater plane was diverted to Manchester due to engine trouble, and they were unable to reach Leeds in time.  The gig has now been re-set for February 29.

Bebop Bassist Must Quit UK:

Be-Bop Deluxe have suffered a major blow on the eve of the opening of their prestige British concert tour.  Their New Zealand born bass player Charlie Tumahai has been given notice to quit Britain by the Home Office.  A spokesman for the band said that they are to appeal against the decision and, whilst this is being considered, the British tour will be able to go ahead as planned.

But they are scheduled to undertake a major tour of America from March 3 to April 14 and, if the appeal is not upheld, there is a strong possibility that Tumahai will not be allowed back into this country.

Following their UK tour, which starts tonight (Thursday), Be-Bop have no plans for further live work in Britain until the summer when they will take part in a major festival event.  The Home Office, who are advised by the Muscians Union in such matters, insist that foreign musicians like Tumahai are depriving British musicians of work.

The Faces encountered a similar problem two years ago with Japanese bassist Tetsu, but he was eventually allowed to remain in Britain after the band had claimed that his presence was essential to their work.  Be-Bop will make the same claim regarding Tumahai, and the fact that he comes from a Commonwealth country will - they hope - add weight to their case.

Be-Bopper told: go home

Be Bop Deluxe bassist Charlie Tumahai, who was born in New Zealand, has been given notice to quit England by the Home Office.  He has appealed against the decision and will be playing on Be Bop's massive British tour that has just started.

Problems may arise in March when Be Bop are due to leave for a six-week American tour.  Charlie will obviously be allowed to leave the country with the band but he may not be allowed back in with them when they return.  And Be Bop have already been lined up for one major outdoor festival this summer.

Meanwhile the band have added a date to their present tour - February 1 at Bournemouth Winter Gardens - and they will be appearing on "Supersonic" on February 24.

BeBop bassist blow:

Charlie Tumahai, who has been the bassist with BeBop Deluxe for the past two years, has been ordered to leave the country at the end of the band's current UK tour because of legal problems over his work permit.

But despite his imminent expulsion - Be Bop's tour ends on Saturday night at Hammersmith Odeon - Tumahai, who is a New Zealander, will not be leaving the band.

The rest of Be Bop will join Tumahai in the South of France where they will record and rehearse though Bill Nelson, Simon Fox, and Andy Clarke will remain British residents.

The Maori bass player has had his application for a work permit turned down three times by the Department of Employment, the Home Office and the Immigrant Appeal Tribunal.  He will now apply for a special limited work permit in order to allow him to tour Britain in the future.  At the moment he has yet to decide where in the work he will live on a permanent basis.

"I am bitterly disappointed at having to leave Britain which has become my home," said Tumahai.  "I haven't any idea where I'm going to live."

"The rest of the band have been amazing and stuck with me through it all.  If anything this trouble has made the band more determined and united than ever before."

Deluxe and delightful:

Be Bop Deluxe bassist Charlie Tumahai has won his long fight to live and work in Britain - after he was already forced to leave the country.

Tumahai, a Maori, was ordered to leave the country more than two years ago and has spent the intervening period appealing against the decision through every possible channel.

However, the channels were exhausted earlier this year - midway through Be Bop's British tour - and Tumahai had to leave the country immediately after the tour and had to get special permission to return for the group's London Hammersmith Odeon dates which had been postponed.

The rest of the group followed him to France and were intending to base themselves there but it is now expected that they will return to Britain soon.

Meanwhile Be Bop have a live album released by Harvest on July 15.  Titled "Live! In The Air Age" the album was recorded during the group's last British tour.

BeBop's Tumahai gets his permit:

Be-Bop Deluxe's New Zealand bassist Charlie Tumahai has at least been granted permission to work in Britain.  His original temporary work permit expired in 1975 but he was able to prolong his stay here by a series of appeals against deportation.

He was eventually ordered to leave the country earlier this year and, because of enforced exile, the band are currently recording a new album in the South of France.

The band's new album "Live! In The Air Age" is released by Harvest on July 15.  Recorded on their last British tour in late winter, it includes a free EP with additional live tracks from the same tour.

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