Bartlett had a major hit record in Japan in 1965 with "La Playa", which featured in the Billboard music industry charts for ten weeks.

Bartlett has toured and supported many international acts including Connie Francis, Bobby Vee, The Ventures, Tom Jones, Herman's Hermits, Michael Crawford.

In 1968 he joined since-convicted child abuser Rolf Harris for a New Zealand and Australian tour, leading to a seven-year musical relationship.

[3] He composed The Ballad of Robbie Muldoon, and stood unsuccessfully for the National Party in Panmure in the 1990 election against Judith Tizard.

[5] In October 2017 he was presented with the President's Medallion from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand in recognition of his services as Patron.