Crowded House is a much-loved Australian-New Zealand rock band formed in Melbourne in 1985 by talented singer/songwriter Neil Finn OBE (b. 1958), Paul Hester (1959–2005) and Nick Seymour (b. 1958). Their self-titled debut album was a critical and commercial success in Australia and around the world, and featured the hits 'Don’t Dream it's Over' and 'Something so Strong'. With their vocal harmonies and melodic invention these iconic songs and many others still resonate with audiences today. In 1992 Crowded House was named Best International Group at the UK music awards, the BRITS, beating Pearl Jam, Nirvana, REM and U2. The band enjoyed a string of hits before playing their final concert, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House before an estimated crowd of 150,000, in November 1996. Recurring Dream – The very best of Crowded House, issued in June that year, debuted at number one on both the Australian and UK charts, and had sold a million copies by the beginning of 1997. Following the death of Hester in 2005, Finn and Seymour reformed the band and released the critically acclaimed album Time on Earth. Crowded House was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2016. Alongside Finn and Seymour, the band now includes Finn's two sons, Liam (guitar, vocals) and Elroy (drums), and Mitchell Froom on keyboard. Crowded House released their first album in a decade Dreamers are waiting in 2021.
Singer/songwriter and guitarist Neil Finn OBE (b. 1958) was born in Te Awamutu, Aotearoa New Zealand, a small town on the north island. The youngest of four children, Finn took piano lessons and often performed as a child with his older brother Tim. In 1977 he joined his brother's band Split Enz, which enjoyed international success. Following the breakup of the band he co-founded Crowded House with Paul Hester and Nick Seymour. Their self-titled debut album was a critical and commercial success in Australia and around the world, and featured the hits 'Don't Dream it’s Over' and 'Something so Strong'. In 1992 Crowded House was named Best International Group at the UK music awards, the BRITS. The band enjoyed a string of hits before playing their final concert, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House before an estimated crowd of 150,000, in November 1996. Recurring Dream – The very best of Crowded House, issued in June that year, debuted at number one on both the Australian and UK charts, and had sold a million copies by the beginning of 1997. Following the death of Hester in 2005, Finn and Seymour reformed the band and released the critically acclaimed album Time on Earth. Crowded House was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2016. The band now also includes Finn's two sons, Liam (guitar, vocals) and Elroy (drums), and Mitchell Froom on keyboard. In 2018 Finn joined American rock band Fleetwood Mac and he continues to perform with Crowded House.
Gift of the artist 2021
© Alan Mitchell
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