Home

Dave Dobbyn

Dave Dobbyn (born January 3, 1957) is a singer/songwriter, album producer and writer of a number of iconic New Zealand songs, such as Slice of Heaven, Bliss, and Whaling.


History

Dobbyn's first success came with a band, Th' Dudes, which he formed with friends from Sacred Heart in Auckland, with Peter Urlich on lead vocals. Their hit Be Mine Tonight won single of the year in 1979 in New Zealand, while singles Walking in Light and Bliss became popular anthems. After Th' Dudes folded, Dobbyn formed DD Smash, this change saw Dobbyn take over vocal responsibilities. DD Smash had a number of hit singles during the 1980s, including Devil you Know, Outlook for Thursday, Magic (What She Do) and Whaling.


Solo Career

When DD Smash folded, Dobbyn began a successful solo career, first writing the music for the Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale film in 1985, which contained two hit singles: Oughta Be in Love and Slice of Heaven. After the release of the film, Slice of Heaven became Dobbyn's best-known song, frequently used in tourism advertisements aired on Australian television which encouraged people to go to New Zealand as a holiday destination. As a result, many Australians jokingly referred to the song as the New Zealand National anthem.

Since 1988 Dobbyn has released 6 solo-albums and a compilation, including the hit song Loyal (1988) which became the tongue-in-cheek anthem for Team New Zealand's failed 2003 America's Cup defence. He has also produced albums for Grant McLennan and has contributed on albums by, amongst others, Jenny Morris and Bic Runga. He also went touring with Runga and Tim Finn, and a live album, Together in Concert: Live, was released in 2000.

Dobbyn's most recent album, Available Light, released in 2005, received popular and critical acclaim.


Awards and Accolades

At the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards Dobbyn won a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2005 and 2006 he won "Songwriter Of The Year" and "Best Male Solo Artist" respectively, both for his work on Available Light.

Ten songs written by Dave Dobbyn appeared in New Zealand's Top 100 songs (the Nature's Best Series) as voted by APRA members. These were:

  • 3: Dave Dobbyn - Loyal
  • 7: Dave Dobbyn with Herbs - Slice of Heaven
  • 12: DD Smash - Whaling
  • 27: Th' Dudes - Be Mine Tonight
  • 29: Dave Dobbyn - Beside You
  • 31: DD Smash - Outlook For Thursday
  • 35: Dave Dobbyn - Language
  • 50: Th' Dudes - Bliss
  • 70: Dave Dobbyn - You Oughta Be In Love
  • 100: Dave Dobbyn - Naked Flame


Controversy

In 2001, Dobbyn performed the lead single from Available Light, Welcome Home at the New Zealand Music Awards awards ceremony. During the performance, Ahmed Zaoui, an alleged terrorist (albeit not convicted of such in New Zealand), appeared on stage with Dobbyn.


Discography

Albums

Th' Dudes Era

DD Smash Era

Others

Live

DVD


Relevant Links

Official Website
Myspace

Mar 1957