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 (born on 27 May 1958) is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician from New Zealand. He is well-known for being a main member of the band Split Enz and the lead singer and guitarist for Crowded House. He was also part of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac from 2018 to 2022. Many people, including Ed O'Brien from Radiohead, think Neil Finn is one of the best songwriters in popular music.
Neil Finn joined Split Enz in 1977. He helped the band change their style from art rock to a more pop sound. He wrote many of their hit songs in the 1980s, like "I Got You" and "History Never Repeats". After Split Enz broke up in 1984, Neil started a new band called Crowded House. They became very successful around the world in 1987 with their hit song "Don't Dream It's Over", which Neil wrote.
After Crowded House took a break in 1996, Neil and his brother Tim released two albums together as the Finn Brothers. Crowded House then got back together in 2006. In 2018, Neil Finn joined Fleetwood Mac for their tour and stayed with them until 2022. Neil has also released several successful solo albums and worked on music projects with many different musicians. He has also contributed to music for movies and TV shows.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Neil Mullane Finn was born on 27 May 1958, in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. He was the youngest of four children. His parents loved music, and the family often sang together around the piano. This helped Neil develop a strong love for music from a young age. Besides music, Neil also enjoyed sports like swimming, rugby, tennis, and biking.
As a child, Neil often performed with his older brother Tim at family gatherings. He looked up to Tim and wanted to be like him, learning to play guitar and piano just as Tim did. When Tim went away to boarding school, eight-year-old Neil started playing the guitar Tim left behind. Neil was a natural performer and was even nicknamed 'The Ant' by his family because he was so determined and ambitious.
Neil went to Sacred Heart boarding school in Auckland and Te Awamutu College. He decided to become a musician when he was 12 years old. During his school years, he performed in many places, including prisons and hospitals, as well as at home parties.
Music Career Highlights
Split Enz Years (1977–1984)
In 1976, Neil Finn started a band called After Hours. Soon after, his brother Tim invited him to join Split Enz in London. Neil replaced the original singer-songwriter Phil Judd. By 1980, Neil was sharing lead singing duties and wrote their first international hit song, "I Got You". Neil played a big part in the band's later albums and even took over as leader for a short time when Tim Finn left in 1984.
Crowded House Success (1985–1996)
After Split Enz broke up in 1984, Neil Finn formed a new band called The Mullanes. The name came from his middle name and his mother's maiden name. The band included Split Enz drummer Paul Hester and bassist Nick Seymour. Before they recorded their first album, the band changed their name to Crowded House. This name was inspired by the small house they shared while recording in Los Angeles.
Crowded House became very famous worldwide. Their biggest hits included "Don't Dream It's Over" (1987) and "Weather With You" (1992). Both Neil and his brother Tim were honored with the title of Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 for their contributions to music. After releasing four successful albums, Crowded House broke up in 1996. They then released a greatest hits album called Recurring Dream.
Solo Work and Collaborations (1997–2006)
After Crowded House disbanded, Neil Finn started his solo career. He released an album called Afterglow in 1999, which had some songs Crowded House had recorded but not released. Neil also wrote a theme song for the All Blacks for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, called "Can You Hear Us?". This song went to the top of the New Zealand music charts.
Neil has released four solo albums: Try Whistling This (1998), One Nil (2001), Dizzy Heights (2014), and Out of Silence (2017). He also worked with his brother Tim again on two Finn Brothers albums, Finn (1995) and Everyone Is Here (2004).
In 2001, Neil released a live album and DVD called 7 Worlds Collide. This project brought together many different artists to perform songs at a theater in Auckland. Neil also helped create the music for the 2001 movie Rain.
Crowded House Returns and New Projects (2006–Present)
In January 2007, Crowded House reformed with Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and a new drummer, Matt Sherrod. Their new album, Time on Earth, was released in June 2007, and the band went on a world tour.
In 2011, Neil and his wife Sharon started a side project called Pajama Club. They began making music together in their home studio in Auckland. Sharon played the bass guitar and Neil played the drums, even though they hadn't played those instruments much before.
In 2013, Neil Finn and Paul Kelly went on a joint tour of Australia called Goin' Your Way. One of their performances at the Sydney Opera House was recorded and released as a live album and DVD.
Neil's solo album, Dizzy Heights, was released in 2014. His sons and wife also played on the album.
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On 15 April 2018, it was announced that Neil Finn had joined the famous band Fleetwood Mac. He toured with them from October 2018 to November 2019. In August 2018, Neil also released an album called Lightsleeper with his son Liam.
Charity Work
Neil Finn has been involved in several charity projects. In 1986, he performed with The Rock Party, a group of musicians who released a song to raise money for charity.
In December 2008, many of the musicians from the 7 Worlds Collide project came together again in New Zealand to record The Sun Came Out. This album was made to raise money for Oxfam, an organization that helps people in need.
In March 2009, Neil Finn and his son Liam joined Tim Finn on stage at the Sound Relief concert in Melbourne. This concert raised money to help people affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
Film and Television Appearances
Neil Finn has created music for various movies and TV shows, including Rain, Boston Legal, and Antz. In 2012, Neil recorded the song "Song of the Lonely Mountain", which was played during the end credits of Peter Jackson's movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Neil also had a small acting role in the BBC Radio series Flight of the Conchords. In 2023, he provided a voice for the Australian children's TV series Bluey.
Personal Life
Neil Finn married Sharon Dawn Johnson in February 1982. They have two sons, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn, who are both musicians themselves.
Awards and Recognition
Neil Finn has received many awards throughout his career for his songwriting and musical achievements. He has won multiple APRA Awards for his songs, including "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Weather With You". He has also won New Zealand Music Awards for Best Songwriter and Top Male Vocalist. In 2013, he won a Helpmann Award for Best Australian Contemporary Concert with Paul Kelly.
Images for kids
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Finn performing with Crowded House in San Francisco, 1987
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Finn in 1996
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Finn playing at Calvin Theatre, August 2007
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Finn and Stevie Nicks performing in Fleetwood Mac, 2018
See also
In Spanish: Neil Finn para niños
