Neil Finn
Background information
Birth name	Neil Mullane Finn
Born	May 27, 1958
Origin	Te Awamutu, New Zealand
Genre(s)	Pop
Years active	1976-present
Associated acts	Split Enz Crowded House Finn Brothers

Neil Mullane Finn OBE (born May 27, 1958 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand) is a singer and songwriter and one of New Zealand's foremost musicians. He is the frontman for Crowded House, and previously the band Split Enz. Download high resolution version (893x1254, 92 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Te Awamutu (In Maori: The (Te) Rivers(Awa) End (mutu)) is a town in the Waikato on the North Island of New Zealand. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For popular forms of music in general, see Popular music. ... Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the late 1970s and the early 1980s featuring brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. ... Crowded House is a rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, and led by New Zealand musician and singer-songwriter Neil Finn. ... The Finn Brothers is the name of the musical project of New Zealand brothers Neil and Tim Finn. ... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Te Awamutu (In Maori: The (Te) Rivers(Awa) End (mutu)) is a town in the Waikato on the North Island of New Zealand. ... A singer is a musician who uses his or her voice to produce music. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Frontman (also front man) is a term referring to the lead singer or band leader of a music group. ... Crowded House is a rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, and led by New Zealand musician and singer-songwriter Neil Finn. ... Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the late 1970s and the early 1980s featuring brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. ...

Biography

Early Years / Split Enz

Neil attended school at Sacred Heart College and Te Awamutu College. He decided at the age of 12 to become a musician, and throughout his school years, performed in prisons, hospitals as well as at home gatherings. Sacred Heart College is a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand. ...

Neil finished school in 1975. One year later, he formed a group known as After Hours (with Mark Hough, Geoff Chunn and Alan Brown). Not long after the debut performance of After Hours, Neil was invited to London to join Split Enz, the band formed by his elder brother, Tim Finn. Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the late 1970s and the early 1980s featuring brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. ... Brian Timothy Tim Finn OBE (born June 25, 1952) is a singer and songwriter and one of New Zealands foremost musicians. ...

By 1980, Neil was sharing lead-singer's duties in Split Enz. He wrote their first international hit, "I Got You," and contributed significantly to all their later albums, even briefly assuming leadership of the band after Tim left in 1984, soon before its split. See also: Musical groups established in 1980 Record labels established in 1980 list of years in music 1980s in music. ... See also: 1980s in music. ...

Both Neil and his brother Tim were made OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to New Zealand music in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours List. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander...

The Mullanes / Crowded House

Split Enz broke up in 1984. Finn formed a new band called The Mullanes (Mullane being both his middle name and his mother's maiden name) with Split Enz drummer Paul Hester, guitarist Craig Hooper of The Reels and bassist Nick Seymour (younger brother of Hunters & Collectors leader Mark Seymour), whom Neil had met on the final Split Enz tour. See also: 1980s in music. ... The Mullanes was the first incarnation of Australasian rock group Crowded House; the name was taken from the maiden name of the mother of the groups leader, Neil Finn, Mullane is also Finns middle name. ... Paul Newell Hester (January 8, 1959 – March 26, 2005) was the drummer with Split Enz and Crowded House. ... Craig Hooper is an Australian musician who was a core member of influential band The Reels as well as playing and recording with other Australian artists such as The Mullanes (the initial incarnation of Crowded House), The Church, The Rockmelons, The Crystal Set, Ross Wilson and The Port-of-Call... The Reels was an Australian rock music group which performed and recorded between 1978 and 1991. ... Nick Seymour (born Nicholas More Seymour, 9 December 1958 in Benalla, Victoria, Australia) is a bass guitar player, painter, and record producer. ... Hunters & Collectors, often referred to as the Hunnas by their fans, were an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1980. ... Hunters & Collectors, often referred to as the Hunnas by their fans, were an Australian rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1980. ... Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the late 1970s and the early 1980s featuring brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. ...

Hooper left just before they recorded their first album, at which time the band was renamed Crowded House — inspired by the rental home they shared while recording in Los Angeles. Crowded House is a rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, and led by New Zealand musician and singer-songwriter Neil Finn. ...

Neil Finn during Crowded House's heyday - San Francisco, 1987

Crowded House went on to enormous success worldwide, in particular with two major hits: "Don't Dream It's Over" (U.S. #2, 1987) and "Weather With You" (U.K. #7, 1992). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Motto  2(French) God and my right Anthem God Save the Queen 3 United Kingdom() – on the European continent() – in the European Union() Capital London Largest conurbation (population) Greater London Urban Area Official languages English (de facto)4 Government  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Gordon Brown Formation  -  Acts of...

After releasing four albums, Crowded House, Temple of Low Men, Woodface, and Together Alone, the group broke up in 1996, and followed this action by releasing a greatest hits album Recurring Dream: The Very Best Of Crowded House. Following this, Neil went solo. Later the album Afterglow was released, which contained Crowded House tracks not previously found on any of the band's albums. See also: 1996 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1996 Record labels established in 1996 // January 8 - Madonnas stalker, Robert Hoskins is found guilty and convicted on five charges of assault, stalking, and threatening to kill the singer. ... A greatest hits album (sometimes referred to as a best of album) is a compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular music artist or band. ...

In January 2007, it was announced that Crowded House would reform with Neil, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and new drummer Matt Sherrod (following the death of Paul Hester in 2005). A new album titled Time on Earth is set for release in July, 2007; in the prerelease buildup, they headlined a show at Coachella in April 2007, then commenced a world tour. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly known as Coachella) is a three-day (formerly a one or two-day) annual music festival held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. ...

Neil and Crowded House performed at the Aussie Stadium in Sydney, Australia on July 7, 2007, as part of the Live Earth concert. Aussie Stadium (Formerly known as the Sydney Football Stadium, or SFS) ( ) was built in 1988 to be the premium rectangular field in Sydney, Australia. ... Projected temperature increase for a range of greenhouse gas stabilization scenarios (the coloured bands). ...

Solo years

Finn has recorded two solo albums to date: Try Whistling This (1998) and One Nil (2001). (One Nil was released in the US and Canada — remixed, reordered and renamed One All — in 2002.) In addition, he and brother Tim have collaborated on two Finn Brothers albums, Finn (1995) and Everyone Is Here (2004). Try Whistling This is a solo album released in 1998 by New Zealand singer/songwriter Neil Finn. ... One Nil is a solo album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. ... One All is a solo album released in 2002 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn as a modified release of One Nil for the USA and Canada. ... The Finn Brothers is the name of the musical project of New Zealand brothers Neil and Tim Finn. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Everyone Is Here is the second album by The Finn Brothers, a music project of New Zealand brothers Tim and Neil Finn. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2001, he released a live album/DVD (7 Worlds Collide) consisting of songs recorded at St James Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand with the likes of Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway (Radiohead), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Paul Jeffrey, Tim Finn, and Betchadupa. Also in 2001, Finn was heavily involved in creating the soundtrack for the motion picture Rain. 7 Worlds Collide is an album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. ... Lisa Germano, promotional shoot for Happiness (1994). ... Sebastian Steinberg (born February 20, 1959 in New York City) is an American upright bass player, best known for his work in the band Soul Coughing. ... Soul Coughing (1992–2000) was a New York-based alternative rock band comprised of Mike Doughty (vocals, lyrics, guitar), Mark De Gli Antoni (samples, keyboards), Sebastian Steinberg (string bass) and Yuval Gabay (drums). ... Edward Ed John OBrien (born April 15, 1968, in Oxford, England) is a member of Radiohead. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... Radiohead are an English rock band that formed in Oxfordshire in 1986. ... Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher on 31 October 1963 in Ardwick) is an English guitarist, keyboardist, harmonica player and singer. ... The Smiths were an English rock group active from 1982 to 1987. ... Eddie Vedder (born Edward Louis Severson III on December 23, 1964) is the lead singer and one of three guitar players for the rock band Pearl Jam. ... Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. ... Brian Timothy Tim Finn OBE (born June 25, 1952) is a singer and songwriter and one of New Zealands foremost musicians. ... Betchadupa is a New Zealand pop/rock group. ... For the 1932 film of the same name, see Rain (1932 film). ...

The Dixie Chicks release Taking The Long Way has a song co-written with Finn, entitled "Silent House." Neil Finn was also featured as a backing vocalist on the Sheryl Crow song, "Everyday is a Winding Road" from her self-titled second album, released in 1997. Finn has also produced and recorded with various New Zealand acts such as Bic Runga, The Mutton Birds and Dave Dobbyn. The Dixie Chicks are a thirteen-time Grammy Award-winning female country/rock music trio from the United States comprising Emily Robison, Martie Maguire and Natalie Maines. ... Briolette Kah Bic Runga (born 13 January 1976) MNZM is a New Zealand singer-songwriter whose first solo album, Drive, debuted at number one in the New Zealand charts, and has since become one of the highest-selling New Zealand artists of our time. ... The Mutton Birds are a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long. ... Dave Dobbyn (born January 3, 1957) is a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer from New Zealand. ...

In 2006, Neil and Tim Finn were both honoured by a slew of women re-recording and re-interpreting a selection of their songs with the album She Will Have Her Way which featured artists performing Neil Finn's songs such as Kasey Chambers, Clare Bowditch, Boh Runga with her band Stellar*, Renee Geyer, Brooke Fraser, Holly Throsby, Sarah Blasko, Amiel and Natalie Imbruglia. She Will Have Her Way is a compilation album which features various musicians performing songs written Neil Finn and Tim Finn, members of Split Enz and Crowded House. ... Kasey Chambers (born: June 4, 1976) is a popular Australian country music performer with three successive albums reaching number one on the Australian album charts in 2002, 2004 and 2006. ... Clare Bowditch on stage at the Melbourne launch of her second album, What Was Left. ... Boh Runga is the lead singer and guitarist in New Zealand rock band Stellar*. She comes from a very musical family - both her sisters are, or have been, in bands. ... Stellar* are a New Zealand based rock band. ... Renee Geyer (born September 11, 1953 in Melbourne, Australia) is a singer most often identified with jazz and blues music, who also achieved several hit singles as a mainsteam pop singer. ... Brooke Gabrielle Fraser (born December 15, 1983 in Wellington, New Zealand) is an award-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter. ... Holly Throsby is an Australian musician from Sydney, New South Wales. ... Sarah Blasko (born September 23, 1976) is an Australian musician. ... Amiel Daemion or just Amiel (born c. ... Natalie Jane Imbruglia (pronounced im-bru-lee-yah) (born February 4, 1975) is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. ...

In February 2007, Neil Finn performed with his son Elroy and Jimmy Barnes at a charity benefit concert for cerebral palsy. The event was held at the Roxburgh Hall, Stowe School, Stowe in Buckinghamshire, UK. The benefit was in aid of he UK charity Scope (formerly "The Spastics Society"), England's largest charity working for people living with cerebral palsy and their families. Two Fires (1990) Jimmy Barnes (born April 28, 1956 as James Dixon Swan) is a popular Australian rock singer. ... Stowe School is a well known British public school in Stowe, Buckinghamshire. ... SCOPE is a UK based charity for disabled people in England and Wales. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Neil has contributed solo music various film and TV soundtracks including Rain, Boston Legal, The Waiting Game and Antz. For the 1932 film of the same name, see Rain (1932 film). ... Boston Legal is an American dramedy television series that began airing on ABC on October 3rd, 2004. ... The Waiting Game was the third single released from Squeezes seventh album, Babylon and On. ... Antz is a computer-animated film produced by DreamWorks. ...

Neil had a small cameo role on the BBC Radio Show Flight of the Conchords.

Family

Neil married Sharon Dawn Johnson, on February 13, 1982. The song "I Love You Dawn," available on Afterglow (an album of unreleased Crowded House tracks and B-sides) was penned in her honour.

They have two sons, Liam Mullane (born 1983 - Split Enz's "Our Day" was written about his birth) and Elroy Timothy (born 1989). Both sons play various instruments, and often perform alongside their father on tour and in the recording studio. Liam now has his own band, Betchadupa, based out of London, UK and will be opening for Crowded House on some of their US tour dates in 2007. Lead singer/guitarist of New Zealand band Betchadupa and son of famous New Zealand musician Neil Finn. ... Betchadupa is a New Zealand pop/rock group. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Sharon Finn creates chandeliers in her workshop, Sharondelier, in Auckland. Numerous chandeliers designed by Sharon featured on stage in the 2004-5 tours promoting the Everyone Is Here album. A chandelier in the U.S. vice presidents ceremonial office in the Old Executive Office Building on the White House grounds. ...

Sharon has appeared on backing vocals on various albums such as Crowded House and Alex Lloyd's Watching Angels Mend. Crowded House is Crowded Houses debut studio album, released in 1986. ... Alex Lloyd (born Alex Wasiliev in Sydney, November 1974) is an Australian singer-songwriter. ...

Neil Finn Solo Discography

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 1998 in music (UK) other events of 1998 Musical groups established in 1998 Record labels established in 1998 list of years in music 1990s in music // February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal... Try Whistling This is a solo album released in 1998 by New Zealand singer/songwriter Neil Finn. ... The EMI Group (LSE: EMI) is a British music company comprising of the major record company EMI Music which operates several labels, based in Brook Green in London, England, and EMI Music Publishing, based on Charing Cross Road, London. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2001 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2001 Record labels established in 2001 2000s in music. ... One Nil is a solo album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... One All is a solo album released in 2002 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn as a modified release of One Nil for the USA and Canada. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2000 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2000 Record labels established in 2000 2000s in music. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2001 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2001 Record labels established in 2001 2000s in music. ... 7 Worlds Collide is an album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2000 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2000 Record labels established in 2000 2000s in music. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... See also: 2001 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2001 Record labels established in 2001 2000s in music. ... 7 Worlds Collide is an album released in 2001 by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. ... She Will Have Her Way is a solo single by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn released in 1998. ... Sinner is the debut solo single by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn released in 1998. ... I Can See Clearly Now is a song written and recorded by Johnny Nash. ...

References

• Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz, GP Publications, 1992. ISBN 1-86956-050-7
• Bourke, Chris, Something So Strong, Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-7329-0886-8
• Twomey, Chris & Doole, Kerry, Crowded House: Private Universe, Omnibus Pr, 1998, ISBN 0-7119-4816-X
• Dix, John, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0-14-301953-8

Other links

• The Finn Brothers site
• Neil Finn complete discography
• Neil Finn News from Frenz.com
• Neil Finn on Myspace.com
• Neil Finn on imdb.com