Herbs (band)

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Herbs


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Origin = New Zealand
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Genre = Reggae
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Years_active = 1979-1995
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Past_members = Dilworth Karaka
Carl Perkins
Toni Fonoti
Spencer Fusimalohi
Charlie TumahaiThe "Herbs" were a New Zealand reggae vocal group from 1979 until 1995.

History

The Herbs produced a stream of reggae hits with some of the country's top talent. In the 1980s, and the first half of the 90s, the Herbs had ten Top 20 singles hits. The Herbs also worked alongside UB40, Taj Mahal, Tina Turner, Neil Young and Stevie Wonder.

Though upbeat, the Herbs' music is clear in its messages. Their 1982 New Zealand hit " French Letter", which spent 11 weeks on the charts, came to express New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance. Fourteen years later, it was re-recorded to garner support for the prevention of nuclear testing at Mururoa. Similarly, "No Nukes (The Second Letter)", "Nuclear Waste" and "Light Of The Pacific" expressed much the same sentiment.

The Herbs' third album "Long Ago", which featured the 1984 single of the same name, was produced by well-known New Zealand bass player Billy Kristian. In 1985, Charlie Tumahai joined the group, having been a session musician for various international acts. [http://www.milesago.com/obits/tumahai-obit.htm] ]

Between 1986 and 1987, "Slice of Heaven" with Dave Dobbyn reached number one on both the New Zealand and Australian charts. In 1989, Tim Finn joined them for "Parihaka" and in 1992, Annie Crummer fronted the hit single "See What Love Can Do".

Sometime in the late 1980s, the band was assisted by Eagles member Joe Walsh, who did some production work and also played slide guitar on the band's cover of "Walk Away Renee", originally recorded by The Left Banke.

The Herbs are considered pioneers of the Pacific reggae soundFact|date=February 2007, having paved the way for contemporary New Zealand reggae groups such as Fat Freddy's Drop, Katchafire and Trinity Roots.

The group disbanded upon the death of Charlie Tumahai in 1995.

Band Members

*Dilworth Karaka
*Carl Perkins
*Toni Fonoti
*Spencer Fusimalohi
*Charlie Tumahai
*Willie Hona

Discography

Albums

ingles