When the Cat's Away (band)

When the Cat's Away
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	Pop
Years active	1986-present
Labels	EMI
Associated acts	Sharon O'Neill Split Enz
Members
Annie Crummer Margaret Urlich Debbie Harwood Kim Willoughby

The New Zealand Female vocal group When the Cat's Away, are Annie Crummer, Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby and Margaret Urlich. Original member Diane Swann left the band in the 1990s.

This innovative band comprised five female singers, each well known in their own right. All had been with NZ bands or had performed as soloists. Notably, Margaret was with Peking Man (You Tube: "Room That Echoes") and Kim was with The Gurlz who won the 1981 Battle of The Bands. 'When The Cats Away' preceded The Spice Girls by five years and came together at The NZ Music Awards in 1986. Their impromptu performance impressed CBS who signed them to a record deal. They covered the Blue Mink 1970 UK hit "Melting Pot", a song which celebrated unity and racial harmony. With the aid of an innovative video (see You Tube) it became a number one hit. The band toured and held the record for the biggest grossing NZ act. Later, their album Live in Paradise went platinum. Their single Asian Paradise reached No 6 in the New Zealand charts. Annie Crummer went on to international success as the lead in "We Will Rock You, The Queen Musical", Margaret Urlich had a successful solo career in Australia with hits like "Escaping". Diane formed The Bads and Kim and Debbie released solo singles and performed with their own bands. 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of When The Cats Away.^[1]

Discography

Albums

1. Live In Paradise:2001 ^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} muzic.net.nz. "When The Cat's Away - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". Muzic.net.nz. http://www.muzic.net.nz/artists/263. Retrieved 2010-05-23.