New Zealand Artists of the 80s

 

Not many New Zealand artists had international success during the 80s. They tended to be big only in New Zealand and Australia. We here in New Zealand however got the privilege of seeing these artists make a name for themselves down here. 

 

Ardijah

 

Came and went. Returned again in the 90s and continued on into the 00s. Lead singer Betty Anne won awards back in the day and still performs in pubs and clubs, but isn't allowed to sing any of her Ardijah songs. 

 

 

Coconut Rough

 

A very short lived band which should have been big.They gave us us a classic one-hit-wonder "Sierrra Leone".

 

 

 

 

 

Crowded House

 

Our biggest export (With a couple of Aussies in it). At least until Lorde came along. 

 

Dave Dobbyn

 

One of our most respected singer/song writers who could do no wrong in the 80s. (Except maybe of course when he was accused of inciting a riot in Queen Street in 1984 - He was cleared of the charges).

 

 

DD Smash

 

Dave Dobbyn moved on from the 70s band Th' Dudes and formed his own band which won all sorts of awards. Then of course he moved on to a successful solo career.

                                                     Dragon

 

A band that had success in the 70s and 80s and even managed to get an international hit with "Rain". 

 

The (Dance) Exponents

 

I had a friend at high school who was nuts over these guys and had their name written all over his pencil case and books. I'd never heard any of their songs at that point and wouldn't start to appreciate them until they came out with their all time classic "I'll say goodbye even though I'm blue". 

 

 

 

 

 

Herbs

 

Another of those bands that flew under my radar until later on in the 80s. Then I started to appreciate their earlier stuff. New Zealand's finest reggae band.

 

Mi Sex

 

A band with sex in the name? Surely they had to be x-rated? But they weren't. "Computer Games" is an all time classic as far as I'm concerned and reminds us of one of the greatest things that came out of the 80s.  

 

 

Margaret Urlich

(RIP - 2022)

 

The uniquely beautiful, Margaret had a lot of success on her own and with different bands: Peking Man and When the Cats away. I'm surprised she didn't go on to greater success in her solo career than what she did. In 2022, she died of cancer at the young age of 57.

 

 

The Mockers

 

I hated their sound at first as they sounded like a bunch of retards, but they grew on me, especially with classics like "Forever Tuesday  Morning" and "One Black Friday".

 

 

The Narcs

 

Came up with possibly one of the greatest songs ever from a New Zealand band IMHO: "Heart & Soul"

 

Peking Man

 

Brought us Margaret and Peter Urlich. Peter was one of the founding members of Th' Dudes. From what I can find out, Peter went on to a radio hosting career.

 

Satellite Spies

 

As far as I'm concerned one of New Zealand's greatest bands even though they broke up too soon. Saw them in concert when they opened for Dire Straits in 1986. Awesome!

 

 

 

 

Sharon O'Neill

 

 

 

 

 

Shona Laing

                                                  Split Enz

 

As far as I'm concerned, New Zealand's greatest band. Way superior to Crowded House. Neil Finn's first band. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim Finn

 

One of our finest singer/song writers. Founder of Split Enz.

 

 

When the Cats away

 

Women from various different bands, that had average success, joined together to make a name for themselves. Actually even then it was just more average success really. 

 

 

Others worth mentioning

 

Annie Crummer

Coup D'Etat 

The Crocodiles

Dave & the Dynamos

Jenny Morris

The Knobz

Monte Video & the Cassettes

The Netherworld Dancing Toys

Patea Maori Club

Prince Tui Teka

Ricky Morris 

Screaming Meemees