Dave Dobbyn

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  • Born in 1957 in Auckland
  • Formed Th' Dudes in the late 70s with friends from school, with Dobbyn as lead guitarist.
  • Wrote the hit song "Be mine tonight" for their debut album - won single of the year at the 1979 music awards.
  • Th' Dudes broke up in 1980.
  • Mid 1981 formed DD Smash. Hit singles: Devil you know (1982), Outlook for Thursday (1983), Whaling (1984), Magic (what she do) (1984).
  • 7 December 1984 DD Smash gave a free concert in Auckland that ended in a riot, with windows smashed. Dobbyn was charged with inciting a riot but the charges were later dismissed. Went to Australia.
  • Wrote the music for the film Footrot Flats (1985) (hit single Slice of Heaven).
  • 1988 released new album Loyal, and in 1989 wrote the theme song Space junk for a television puppet series.
  • 1993 made the album Lament for the numb in Los Angeles, then returned to New Zealand in 1994, where he recorded Twist, produced by Neil Finn.
  • Worked with Eddie Rayner of Split Enz on his ENZSO project, rewriting classic Split Enz songs for the NZ Symphony Orchestra.
  • In 1998 released The Islander, and to mark 20 years of recording a compilation album Overnight success, in 1999. Released Hopetown, in 2000.
  • In November 2000 released with Tim Finn and Bic Runga their Together in Concert: Live album following their August tour of New Zealand.
  • “Loyal” chosen as the Team New Zealand theme song for the 2003 defence of the America's Cup.
  • Made Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2003 New Year's Honours list.