Music

New Zealand Music Icons

In this area of newzealandatoz.com we will put together New Zealands music icons of NZ. Our definition of an icon is a group or individual that is famous in New Zealand and should be known in the rest of the world. Some musical New Zealand icons you would know others you may not (but should), but if you mention any of these groups or people to a New Zealander they will know what you are talking about, from Crowded House to Dave Dobbyn.

Crowded House
Split Enz
Kiri Te Kanawa
Neil Finn
Dave Dobbyn

Crowded House

After the break up of Split Enz in 1984, one of its major songwriters, Neil Finn (b. 27 May 1958, Te Awamutu, New Zealand; guitar), along with Split Enz drummer Paul Hester plus Craig Hooper (guitar) and Nick Seymour (bass) formed Crowded House in 1986, after originally calling themselves the Mullanes.
Signed to Capitol Records, the group resided in Los Angeles (where they were given their new name after the group's cramped living conditions), and worked with producer Mitchell Froom. With the group by now reduced to a trio with the departure of Hooper, Crowded House's debut album was released to little fanfare, but two singles lifted from it became enormously successful giving the group US chart hits with 'Don't Dream It's Over' (number 2) and 'Something So Strong' (number 7) in 1987. The album had one of the longest ascents up the charts ever noted, eventually peaking at number 12.
A subdued reaction to the second album failed to consolidate the group's reputation in the singles chart despite reaching the US Top 40. Paul Young gave the group some welcome publicity in the UK by singing 'Don't Dream It's Over' at the Nelson Mandela concert at Wembley Stadium in June 1988. Neil's reconciliation with brother Tim Finn led to Crowded House strengthening the line-up when he joined in February 1991. The Finn brothers subsequently cracked the UK market with the Top 20 hit 'Fall At Your Feet' (1991) and the Top 10 with 'Weather With You' (1992). The much acclaimed album Woodface also reached the Top 10 in the UK Crowded House's standing in their adopted home of Melbourne, Australia is such that the Melbourne Museum For Performing Arts displays a Crowded House exhibition, containing assorted memorabilia of the group.
In November 1991, while the band were enjoying world-wide success, Tim Finn decided to leave the line-up and continue with his solo career. Both brothers were awarded the OBE in June 1993 for their contribution to music of New Zealand. In June 1996 they announced their farewell, bowing out with an excellent compilation package featuring three new songs. Their emotional final performance was in Sydney on 24 November 1996. Neil Finn moved on to a solo career, releasing his debut album in June 1998.

Split Enz

Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the late 1970s and early 1980s featuring brothers Tim and Neil Finn. Their musical style was eclectic and original, incorporating influences from art rock, vaudeville, swing, punk, rock and pop.
The band started life in 1971 at the Auckland University, where Tim met up with (old friend) Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies, Philip Judd and Noel Crombie. From 1972 the band became a full-time occupation for the friends, and they called the band Split Ends. The spelling was later changed to Split Enz when they went on their first trip to Australia, to signify their New Zealand roots.
They were widely known for their unique visual presentation. Their costumes and hair were like nothing else, wild and colourful and inventive. The costumes were designed by Noel Crombie, who also designed most of the group's other visual material, such as stage sets, posters, stickers and album covers, as well as directing many of the band's music videos.
The group's career falls into two distinct phases. The first was firmly rooted in the progressive rock scene of the early 1970s. The Enz started out as an adventurous, flamboyant art-rock band -- although their music was generally far more accessible than some of their more grandiose European 'prog-rock' counterparts. This first incarnation lasted about five years, through their move to Australia and the early part of their stay in England, and closed with the departure of co-founder Philip Judd in 1977. During the transitional period of 1978-79, a new line-up consolidated behind Tim Finn, and though they struggled to survive, they gradually reined in the more extreme aspects of their music and presentation without sacrificing their individuality. In 1980, Split Enz (Mark II) scored major successes with a superb trio of early 80's albums -- True Colours, Waiata (released as Corroboree in Australia) and Time & Tide -- which made them one of the most successful and popular Australasian groups, a position they held until their final split in 1984.
It is also notable that Split Enz only recorded original material; every song on every Enz album and single was written by members of the group.

 

Artist Profile & Brief Biography

Band members:
Tim Finn, Phil Judd, Jonathan Michael Chunn, Noel Crombie, Paul Emlyn Crowther, Neil Finn, Robert Gillies, Mal Green, Nigel Griggs, Paul Hester, Eddie Rayner, Wally Wilkinson, Miles Golding, Geoff Chunn, Michael Howard
Musical style:
New Wave, Art Rock, Pop
Performed songs by:
Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Phil Judd, Eddie Rayner, Nigel Griggs, Robert Gillies, Noel Crombie, Mal Green, Jonathan Michael Chunn
Formal connections:
Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Crowded House, Finn Brothers, Schnell Fenster, ALT, Enzso, Phil Judd, Swingers, The Makers
Similar artists:
XTC, Squeeze, Mental as Anything
Selected discography:
1975 - Mental Notes
1976 - Second Thoughts
1977 - Dizrhythmia
1978 - Frenzy
1979 - True Colours
1981 - Waiata (Corroboree)
1982 - Time and Tide
1983 - Conflicting Emotions
1984 - See Ya Round

Kiri Te Kanawa

Neil Finn

Dave Dobbyn