Charlie Tumahai

Charlie Tumahai
Background information
Born	January 14, 1949(1949-01-14)
Origin	Orakei, Auckland New Zealand
Died	December 21, 1995(1995-12-21) (aged 46)
Genres	Progressive Rock, Reggae
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter, Humanitarian
Years active	1964–1995
Labels	EMI
Associated acts	Be-Bop Deluxe, Chain, Friends, Mississippi/Little River Band, Herbs
Notable instruments
Fender Telecaster Bass Fender Precision Bass

Charles Turu Tumahai (Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand 14 January 1949 - 21 December 1995)^[1] was a New Zealand singer, bass player and songwriter who was a member of several noted rock groups in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. He is best known internationally as the bassist and vocalist in Bill Nelson's Be-Bop Deluxe.

He began his music career in New Zealand before moving to Australia in the late 1960s. He was a member of several notable Australian bands including Chain, and Friends and Mississippi (which later evolved into Little River Band). Tumahai travelled to the UK with Mississippi in 1974 and remained there when Mississippi broke up. Later that year he joined Be-Bop Deluxe, with whom he played and recorded until 1978.

He returned to New Zealand in 1985 and joined the popular New Zealand reggae band Herbs. As well as music he became involved in Maori affairs, working as a voluntary member of a scheme set up to assist young Maori offenders in Auckland. He was also developing plans for an arts programme for Maori prisoners and for exploring new ways he could help young Maori people connect with their culture. He died suddenly on 21 December 1995, aged 46, after suffering a heart attack while working at the Auckland District Court.

Equipment

• During his days with Be-Bop Deluxe, he used Fender Telecaster and Precision basses.^[2]

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]

External links

Persondata
Name	Tumahai, Charlie
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	14 January 1949
Place of birth
Date of death	21 December 1995
Place of death