Monday, September 03, 2012

Herbs join nz music hall of fame


There was an excellent article on the band Herbs in the Weekend Herald (not online yet, sadly updated: online here) by Alan Perrott, covering their chequered history, ahead of their induction to the NZ Music Hall of Fame by APRA. The Hall of Fame was established by APRA and RIANZ in 2007. 

The article made mention of the legal case where the current members of Herbs sued ex members back in 2010 over plans to play Herbs songs under the name Pacific Herbs at Raggamuffin (more here). The Herald reports that case cost Herbs $30,000, money they had planned to use  to record a new album.


From APRA: The New Zealand Music Hall Of Fame celebrates those artists and writers who have made a significant contribution to New Zealand through music. APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is honoured to announce Herbs are the first inductees to be added to the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame for 2012.

"Herbs broke down a great many doors when they came onto the scene in the early 1980s. They fused Pacific and Reggae sounds into something unique and relevant to this part of the world; they gave a voice to an emerging, politically-aware audience that had grown up with the Springbok Tour, Bastion Point and Mururoa, and they gave a generation of young Maori and Pasifika musicians and songwriters a new path to follow. 


Suddenly, the spotlight had moved, and original New Zealand music could be as culturally diverse as the people who make up this country. That spotlight hasn't shifted back; it's continued to expand to this day, and the vibrant, multi-cultural music scene that we now enjoy owes much of its existence to this one band." Don McGlashan, APRA New Zealand Writer Director.

Over 30 years, eight albums and 27 members, Herbs are arguably the founding fathers of Pacific reggae in New Zealand. Throughout the bands career, Herbs have kept their musical message clear in expressing gentle but effective protest.

"Herbs have made an enormous contribution to the cultural fabric of life in this country, while forging a unique and original sound," says APRA's Anthony Healey. "This is a real honour to pay tribute to genuine pioneers in New Zealand music".

Herbs members being inducted are: Dilworth Karaka, Toni Fonoti, Phil Toms, Spencer Fusimalohi, John Berkley, Fred Faleauto, Charles Tumahai (deceased), Maurice Watene, Tama Lundon, Jack Allen, Carl Perkins, Willie Hona, Thom Nepia, Tama Renata, Gordon Joll, Grant Pukeroa and Kristen Hapi.

Herbs will be honoured and inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, Auckland Town Hall onThursday 13th September 2012.

WATCH: 2003 interview about Herbs with Dilworth Karaka, with great footage of Bastion Point, 81 Tour, the band live etc.

ADDED Graham Reid writes on Herbs...  HERBS, NZ'S politicised reggae revolution into the Hall of Fame (2012): Hard tings an' times

ADDED Herbs have done a digital reissue of Long Ago, Light of the Pacific, Whats Be Happen and more, via Amplifier, big news!

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