Neil Finn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neil Finn
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Finn performing with Fleetwood Mac at Werchter Boutique in 2019
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| Birth name | Neil Mullane Finn |
| Born | 27 May 1958 Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand |
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| Years active | 1976–present |
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Neil Mullane Finn OBE (born 27 May 1958) is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician from New Zealand. He is best known as a key member of the band Split Enz and the lead singer of Crowded House. From 2018 to 2022, he was also a member of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac.
Finn joined his brother's band, Split Enz, in 1977. He helped change their sound from art rock to a more popular new wave style. He wrote many of their biggest hits, including "I Got You" and "History Never Repeats".
After Split Enz broke up in 1984, Finn started Crowded House. The band became famous worldwide with the song "Don't Dream It's Over", which Finn wrote. After Crowded House split up in 1996, Finn started a successful solo career and worked on many other musical projects. Crowded House later got back together in 2006.
Ed O'Brien of the band Radiohead once called Finn popular music's "most prolific writer of great songs."
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Neil Mullane Finn was born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. He was the youngest of four children. His mother was from Ireland and his father was from New Zealand. His parents loved music, and the family often had sing-alongs around their piano. Besides music, Finn also enjoyed sports like swimming, rugby, and tennis.
As a child, Finn often performed with his older brother, Tim. He looked up to his brother and learned to play guitar and piano just like him. When Tim went away to a boarding school in Auckland, eight-year-old Neil began playing a guitar his brother had left behind. His family nicknamed him 'The Ant' because he was so determined and ambitious.
By the age of 12, Finn knew he wanted to be a musician. During his school years, he performed in prisons and hospitals, as well as at family parties.
Music Career
1977–1984: Joining Split Enz
In 1977, Neil's brother Tim invited him to join his band, Split Enz, in London. Neil replaced one of the original members. He soon began writing songs for the band and sharing lead vocal duties.
He wrote their first international hit, "I Got You," which made the band famous. Finn wrote many of the band's popular songs in the 1980s. When Tim Finn left the band in 1984, Neil briefly became the leader before the group decided to break up.
1985–1996: Forming Crowded House
After Split Enz ended, Finn started a new band in 1985 called The Mullanes. The members included drummer Paul Hester from Split Enz and bassist Nick Seymour. They moved to Los Angeles to record their first album. Because they lived in a very small, crowded house, they decided to rename the band Crowded House.
Crowded House became a huge success all over the world. Their song "Don't Dream It's Over" was a massive hit in 1987, reaching number one in Canada and New Zealand and number two in the United States. Another big hit was "Weather With You" in 1992.
In 1993, both Neil and his brother Tim were made Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for their services to music. Crowded House released four albums before breaking up in 1996.
1997–2006: Solo Projects
After Crowded House, Finn began working as a solo artist. He released several solo albums, including Try Whistling This (1998) and One Nil (2001). He also released two albums with his brother Tim, under the name the Finn Brothers.
In 2001, Finn organized a series of concerts called 7 Worlds Collide. He brought together many famous musicians to perform at the St. James Theatre in Auckland. The concerts were recorded for a live album and DVD. He also wrote music for movies, including the 2001 film Rain.
2006–Present: New Music and Fleetwood Mac
In 2007, Crowded House got back together. The band included Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and a new drummer, Matt Sherrod, because original drummer Paul Hester had sadly passed away in 2005. They released a new album called Time on Earth and went on a world tour.
Finn has also worked on projects with his family. In 2011, he and his wife Sharon started a band called Pajama Club. He has also released albums with his son, Liam Finn.
On April 15, 2018, the famous band Fleetwood Mac announced that Finn had joined them. He toured with the band from October 2018 to November 2019.
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Finn has also written music for movies and television. He recorded the song "Song of the Lonely Mountain" for the movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012. In 2023, he had a voice cameo in the popular Australian children's TV show Bluey.
Personal Life
Finn married Sharon Dawn Johnson in 1982. They have two sons, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn. Both of his sons are also talented musicians and have worked with their father on various projects.
Solo Albums
This list shows albums released by Neil Finn as a solo artist. For his work with bands, see the Split Enz discography and Crowded House discography.
- Try Whistling This (1998)
- One Nil (2001)
- 7 Worlds Collide (2002) - A live album with other artists.
- The Sun Came Out (2009) - A charity album with other artists.
- Goin' Your Way (2013) - A live album with Paul Kelly.
- Dizzy Heights (2014)
- Out of Silence (2017)
- Lightsleeper (2018) - An album with his son, Liam Finn.
Awards and Honors
Neil Finn has won many awards for his music throughout his career.
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (1993): He and his brother Tim received this honor for their contributions to New Zealand music.
- APRA Awards: He has won several awards for his songwriting, including for the songs "Weather With You" and "Don't Dream It's Over."
- New Zealand Music Awards: Finn has won many awards, including Best Songwriter, Top Male Vocalist, and International Achievement.
- Helpmann Awards: In 2013, he and Paul Kelly won for Best Australian Contemporary Concert.
See also
In Spanish: Neil Finn para niños
