Hi all,

I haven't seen this posted yet, and I knew there'd be some interest. It's from today's Age newspaper. The link also takes you to a great picture of the boys from the ceremony.

We got you
By Jo Roberts
July 15, 2005

"Very strange but very normal. Strangely normal."

That was how Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner summed up the feeling at Melbourne's Regent Theatre yesterday after one of the finest pop bands ever seen in Australia played together for the first time in 12 years.

Split Enz is, of course, the New Zealand band founded in 1972 that moved to Melbourne three years later.

Australia has loved to call Split Enz its own ever since � so much so that last night the band, comprising four New Zealanders (Rayner, brothers Tim and Neil Finn and Noel Crombie) and two Englishmen (bassist Nigel Griggs and drummer Malcolm Green), was one of six acts inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Also inducted at the Australian Record Industry Association's inaugural "Icons" dinner and ceremony at the Regent were Smoky Dawson, the Easybeats, Renee Geyer and Normie Rowe.

Split Enz was one of two bands that re-formed at last night's event, with Melbourne's Hunters & Collectors also coming together after seven years.

After being inducted into the Hall of Fame by former Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett, the "Hunners" kicked the night off with two of their big hits, Say Goodbye and Throw Your Arms around Me.

The Enz took to the stage later, after being inducted by actor John Clarke.

There had been a whisper that, like the Hunters, Split Enz would also pull out the big hits � I Got You and I See Red � but instead surprised the audience with the Tim Finn-penned Poor Boy and Neil's History Never Repeats, the latter also a fair-sized hit.

The songs were two that had come up particularly well on a soon-to-be-released double live album recorded on the Enz's last tour in New Zealand in 1993. "The luxury of being in a band that doesn't exist any more is that you can put a lot of time into getting those things right," said Neil. "Some of the songs are definitive versions, I think."

The looming album raises the question: could a reunion tour be in the wings?

"If we were smart and we were gonna do it, we would have announced it," said Neil.

"But we never were smart, we always fumbled along. I think everyone in the band would consider it to be a lot of fun to play again."

Rayner added: "It would have to be something pretty special."

If last night's revival was anything to go by, it could be nothing but. Most former Enz members � including saxophonist Rob Gillies, guitarist Wally Wilkinson and founding member Phil Judd � witnessed it, a sad absence being former drummer Paul Hester, who took his life in March.

ARIA event producer Mark Pope said all former Enz members or their families would receive an ARIA statue.

Thank you Pharmgirl, that was quick! Interesting article too....

Thanks Pharmgirl, I hope they all had a night to remember

the sydney morning herald stuffs it up, referring to "bill" judd's songwriting role in the band ...

Six class acts walk into hall of fame
By Bernard Zuel

For one evening New Zealand's greatest band were Australian. And happy to be so claimed.

Split Enz, formed in Auckland in 1972, were inducted last night into the Australian Record Industry Association's Hall of Fame, and called Australian music icons.

"Well, New Zealand doesn't have a hall of fame," said a smiling Eddie Rayner, the band's longtime keyboardist.

Neil Finn, the most famous of the band's three songwriters - the others are his brother, Tim, and the founding member Bill Judd - said that although some New Zealanders had resented Australia's appropriation of Split Enz, "we felt welcome here and at home here".

Split Enz qualified for the hall of fame because the band lived and recorded in Australia for about seven years from 1975 and occupied the No. 1 position on the charts many times.

The band was inducted alongside the 92-year-old country singer Smoky Dawson, the soul queen Renee Geyer, the pop singer and stage star Normie Rowe, Melbourne's Hunters And Collectors and The Easybeats.

Each act either performed, or had their songs performed, at the Melbourne ceremony, with the Easybeats represented by the unlikely combination of You Am I, which was the backing band for Tex Perkins and Jimmy Barnes on the night.

The incongruity of Barnes singing I'll Make You Happy with the band that led the 90's reaction against pub rock's dominance was palpable at first, but then irrelevant as the chorus was belted out.

The hall of fame was conceived in 1988, the year in which the original inductees Dame Joan Sutherland and Johnny O'Keefe were another odd couple. This is the first time the presentation has been separate to the youth-oriented ARIA awards.

It may be a belated sign that the 50-year-old industry has grown up enough to embrace, rather than be embarrassed by, the past.

Not that performing is in the past for the new inductees. The Finn brothers play at the Opera House tonight (and are not ruling out a Split Enz reunion tour), Geyer is touring and has a new album, Rowe tours so much he says he is "rarely" at home, the Hunters' Mark Seymour is still recording, Harry Vanda of the Easybeats works regularly as a producer, and Smoky Dawson has a new album coming this year .

I love that photo, it is so nice to see them together again, and hopefully this is one step closer to a reunion concert (sigh)

Just caught the news article re the ARIAs on Channel 10 TV news, featured mainly Split Enz singing History Never Repeats, the guys all looked good, especially Tim in his new suit.

Hi all,
Link to the SMH photo:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/class-acts-walk-into-h...4/1120934358221.html

quote:

Neil Finn, the most famous of the band's three songwriters...

cough; splutter

Why do they have to make comments like this?

All the songwriters are equally well-known. I know it could be debated but does it have to be *TR stands up and waves the Tim flag madly*

Glad Bill Judd put in an appearance

i love the enz but they're not Australian.

They never played a Concert in Ireland - Tim mentioned that on 20th June at the Finn Brothers Concert. Come on Lads -pay us a visit!

another great link:-

http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/jul05/20050715_aria.html


enjoy!

quote:

Originally posted by pharmgirl:
[qb]
"Very strange but very normal. Strangely normal."
[/qb]

Ahhh, we love you Eddie!

Thanks for the link delta . I loved the picture gallery...especially the one with Neil Finn and, er, "Nigel Griggs".

The ABC news had a decent clip of Tim arriving, the Enz in their fabulous suits and a quick shot of the photo/film montage shown on the big screen of the Enz in action in various incarnations.

Were any Frenz fortunate enough to go, or hear from someone who did? The coming edition of 16min is sure going to be good!

Thanks, all, for posting the fab links and thoughtful insights. It looks as though it was a spectacular evening!

Beth
___________________
It doesn't pay to make predictions sleeping on an unmade bed...

quote:

Originally posted by pharmgirl:
[qb]
The looming album raises the question: could a reunion tour be in the wings?

"If we were smart and we were gonna do it, we would have announced it," said Neil.

"But we never were smart, we always fumbled along. I think everyone in the band would consider it to be a lot of fun to play again."

Rayner added: "It would have to be something pretty special."
[/qb]

Hey Neil, can you all please stop with the teasing?? I'm sure you're enjoying playing with us ( ), but it's doing my head in!

Sorry Texas Rose but saying that Neil is the most famous of the band's songwriters is stating fact, no matter how high and hard you the fly the Tim flag.