Th' Dudes are a New Zealand rock band that was formed in the late 1970s in Auckland, New Zealand. Hits include "Walking in Light", "Right First Time", "Be Mine Tonight" and "Bliss".
History 1975–1980 The band was formed by Morris, Urlich, Coleman and Dobbyn, students at Sacred Heart College in Auckland. The band name derived from the "Lone Groover" comic strip in the English music paper, NME.
1990s–present In October 2006, Th' Dudes embarked on a tour of New Zealand as part of Radio Hauraki's 40th anniversary celebrations. The band compiled a six-track album of demo and alternate versions of their biggest hits, culled from the band's own collections. This CD was available only at shows on the tour and was called Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas.
In 2008, the band sued Stebbing Studios for non-payment of royalties. The band sought to show that they were not paid royalties for sales of their music due to their songs being recorded in downtime at Stebbing, but studio owner Eldred Stebbing claimed production costs had not been met. The dispute was resolved to both parties' mutual satisfaction in November 2008.
In 2019, the band announced a new tour of New Zealand, with dates from 9–25 April 2020, but it was postponed until November due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ian Morris's brother, Rikki Morris joined the group for the tour.
Ian Morris died suddenly in Napier on 7 October 2010.
Members Dave Dobbyn – vocals, guitars Ian Morris (deceased) – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals Peter Urlich – drums (changing to vocals later) Peter Coleman (1976-1978) – bass Lez White - bass Bruce Hambling – drums Rikki Morris - guitar, vocals
Timeline
Discography Studio albums + List of studio albums, with New Zealand chart positions Title Year Album Peak chart positionsNZ1979 Right First Time Label: Key (L 36685) Format: LP, Cassette 171980 Where Are the Boys? Label: Key (L 37018) Format: LP, Cassette –
Live albums + List of live albums, with New Zealand chart positions Year Title Album Peak chart positionsNZ 2006 Th' 2006 Reunion Tour Live Label: Red Trolley Records (RTCD002) Format: CD 39
Compilation albums + List of compilation albums, with New Zealand chart positions Year Title Album Peak chart positionsNZ 1982 So You Wanna Be a Rock'n'Roll Star Label: Key (L 20041) Format: LP, Cassette 27 2001 Where Are the Girls?: Th' Definitive Collection Label: Festival Mushroom Records (DUDES2001) Format: CD 31 2020 Bliss On Wax Label: Stebbing Recording Centre Ltd. (910523) Format: CD, LP, streaming, DD 7
Demo albums + List of demo albums Year Title Album details 2006 Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas Label: self-released Format: CD
Singles + List of singles with selected New Zealand positions Title Year Peak chart positions AlbumNZ1979"Be Mine Tonight" / "That Look in Your Eyes" 36 Right First Time"Right First Time" / "Tonight Again" 34"Walking in Light" / "Bad Boy Billy" 50 Where Are the Boys1980"Bliss" / "On the Rox" 252010"Bliss 2010" (vs. Jolyon Petch & Sam Hill) –
Awards and nominations Aotearoa Music Awards The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously known as New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)) are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.
! |- | 2019 || Th' Dudes || New Zealand Music Hall of Fame || ||
References
External links
AudioCulture Th' Dudes Biography Th' Dudes at muzic.net.nz Th' Dudes at last.fm NZ Music survey