30 May 2017

Six top NZ music exports you may never have heard of

From Afternoons, 2:28 pm on 30 May 2017
Expat NZ Musicians

Photo: Supplied

There are a bunch of Kiwi musicians who made it big overseas but remain relatively obscure in New Zealand. Here are six of the most successful, as selected by Afternoons music producer Jimmy Stewart.

1. The Thompson Twins

Featuring New Zealand journalist Alannah Currie.

Thompson Twins - Into The Gap album cover

Thompson Twins - Into The Gap Photo: Supplied

2. Dianne Swan

The Kiwi singer recorded and played live with Radiohead.

Radiohead - The Bends album cover

Radiohead - The Bends Photo: Supplied

3. Suzanne Lynch, Shona Laing and Chris Thompson

Lynch, Laing and English-born Hamiltonian Thompson have all been in Manfred Mann's Earth Band.

Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Manfred Mann's Earth Band Photo: Supplied

4. Steve Walmsley

The Wellington-born bass player featured in this one hit wonder band from the 1960s.

Lemon Pipers - Green Tambourine album cover

Lemon Pipers - Green Tambourine Photo: Supplied

5. Gale Garnett

Garnett was the first Kiwi musician to have a top 10 hit on Billboard in the US. She was born in Auckland before moving with her family to Canada at age 11.

Gale Garnett - We'll Sing in The Sunshine album cover

Gale Garnett - We'll Sing in The Sunshine Photo: S

6. Charlie Tumahai

Before becoming an essential member of Herbs, Tumahai was a member of UK prog-rock band Be Bop Deluxe.

Bebop Deluxe - Sunburst Finish album cover

Bebop Deluxe - Sunburst Finish Photo: Supplied