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The Chicks (duo)
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
The Chicks were a New Zealand singing sibling duo, active in the 1960s. Sisters Judy and Sue Donaldson scored several hits in their native country, including "Miss You Baby", which sounded similar to a song released by Lynne Randell entitled "Ciao Baby". After they split up, Sue launched a successful solo career as Suzanne Lynch, or simply, Suzanne.[1] The Chicks were one of the local New Zealand acts who performed at Redwood 70, the first major modern music festival held in New Zealand in 1970.[2]
On 25 June 2020, the American band formerly known as "the Dixie Chicks" changed their name to The Chicks, dropping the word "Dixie".[3][4] The band received Judy and Sue's blessings to share the name.[3][5]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Sound of the 'Chicks' |
|
| 2nd Album |
|
| C'Mon Chicks |
|
| A Long Time Comin' |
|
Live albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Live On The Dinah Lee Show (with Dinah Lee, Tommy Adderley and Lonnie Lee) |
|
Compilation albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Chicks Greatest Hits |
|
| The Best of The Chicks |
|
| The Very Best of The Chicks |
|
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Chicks |
|
| Heat Wave |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Heart of Stone" | 1965 | The Sound of The 'Chicks' |
| "Hucklebuck" | The Chicks | |
| "Do You Want to Dance?" (with Peter Posa) |
||
| "Java Jones" | ||
| "Cumala Be-Stay" | 2nd Album | |
| "Tweedle Dee" | 1966 | |
| "You Won't Forget Me" | 1967 | |
| "Say a Prayer for Michael" | 1969 | |
| "Miss You Baby" | A Long Time Comin' | |
| "Stoney End" | ||
| "I Will See You There " | 1970 |
Awards
[edit]Aotearoa Music Awards
[edit]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.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Hucklebuck" | Single of the Year | Nominated | [6] |
| 1968 | "River Deep-Mountain High" | Single of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1969 | "Miss You Baby" | Single of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2020 | The Chicks | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | inductee | [7] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Chicks".
- ^ Schmidt, Andrew (12 December 2013). "Redwood 70 National Music Convention". AudioCulture. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ a b Willman, Chris (25 June 2020). "Dixie Chicks Officially Change Name to 'The Chicks'". Variety.
- ^ Amanda Petrusich (13 July 2020). "Why the Chicks Dropped Their "Dixie"". The New Yorker.
- ^ Burgham, Lydia (26 June 2020). "Kiwi band The Chicks on sharing name with The Dixie Chicks". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Aotearoa Music Awards". aotearoamusicawards.nz. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "HOME INDUCTEES". www.musichall.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
The Chicks (duo)
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The Chicks were a New Zealand pop duo active from 1965 to 1970, consisting of sisters Judy Donaldson (born 1950) and Sue Donaldson (born 1952, later known as Suzanne Lynch).[1][2] The sisters, discovered as teenagers by musician Peter Posa when Judy was 14 and Sue 16, specialized in up-tempo, harmony-rich covers and originals that propelled them to stardom in their home country.[3][4]
Formed in Auckland after the Donaldsons relocated from Wellington, the duo's debut single "The Hucklebuck" achieved instant success upon release in 1965, launching a prolific output that included five singles, three EPs, and two albums in their first year alone.[3] Key hits such as "Heart of Stone," "You Don't Talk About Love," "The Birds and the Bees," and Beatles covers like "Ticket to Ride" and "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" dominated New Zealand charts, earning them finalists status for Single of the Year in 1965.[3][5] They performed extensively on television programs including "C'mon," radio broadcasts, and national tours, embodying the era's youthful pop energy with daring fashion like mini-skirts.[3][6]
The duo's rapid rise made them among New Zealand's biggest stars of the 1960s before disbanding in 1970; Judy later performed with The Rumour, while Sue pursued a solo career, collaborating with Cat Stevens and continuing as part of The Ladykillers.[3][2] Their legacy was honored with induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2020, recognizing their influence on local pop music during a transformative period.[3]
Members
Judy Donaldson
Judy Donaldson, born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1950, formed one half of the sibling duo The Chicks alongside her younger sister Suzanne (Sue).[7][8] The sisters, originally from Tawa Flat north of Wellington, relocated to Auckland at an early age after a fire destroyed their family home, establishing roots in West Auckland where their musical career began.[9][10] As the elder sister, Donaldson served as a lead vocalist and performer, contributing to the duo's signature close harmonies and up-tempo style that defined their foundational years in the mid-1960s New Zealand music scene.[3][8] Discovered together by guitarist Peter Posa in Henderson, the Donaldsons quickly became integral to the duo's formation, leveraging their sibling synergy for live performances and recordings that marked their emergence as teen pop sensations.[10][4] Following the duo's disbandment around 1970 after approximately five years of activity, Donaldson's post-group pursuits remained limited and low-profile, including a period living and singing in Australia, with emphasis on her enduring role in the Chicks' original success rather than extended solo endeavors.[11][8]Sue Donaldson
Sue Donaldson, born in Wellington in 1952, is the younger sister of Judy Donaldson and served as a vocalist in the New Zealand duo The Chicks during the 1960s.[7][2] As the blonde counterpart to her sibling, she contributed harmony vocals and energetic stage presence to the duo's performances, helping establish their reputation for up-tempo pop delivery.[2][3] Following the duo's dissolution around 1970, Donaldson transitioned to a solo career, initially recording under the name Suzanne before adopting Suzanne Lynch after marrying musician and arranger Bruce Lynch, with whom she relocated to London for professional opportunities.[12][13] This shift marked the beginning of her independent success as a performer, including international tours and collaborations, though she maintained a focus on vocal-centric pop and folk styles.[12][14]History
Formation and early years
Sisters Judy Donaldson, born in 1950, and Sue Donaldson, born in 1952, formed the duo in Wellington, New Zealand, where they were raised in the suburb of Tawa Flat.[7][9] A fire that destroyed their family home prompted an early relocation to Auckland, where the teenage sisters began performing together.[9] At ages 14 and 16 respectively, Judy and Sue were discovered by guitarist Peter Posa, who recognized their vocal harmonies and stage presence.[4] This discovery led to their signing with Viking Records in 1965, launching their professional career amid New Zealand's pop music scene, which was heavily influenced by the British Invasion and emerging rock'n'roll trends.[15][8] Their debut single, a cover of "Hucklebuck" originally popularized in rhythm and blues circles, was released that year on Viking, introducing their up-tempo, harmony-driven style to local audiences.[16][17] Early live appearances and television spots positioned The Chicks as a fresh teenage sister act, capitalizing on their youthful energy and sibling synergy to gain traction in Auckland's music circuit before wider national exposure.[8][4]Rise to prominence
Following initial recordings, the duo secured a string of pop hits that propelled them to national stardom in New Zealand during the late 1960s. Under Viking Records, they released multiple singles that charted frequently, building on modest early traction to dominate airplay and sales. By 1968, they had transitioned to Polydor, yielding further successes such as the soul-inflected "Miss You Baby" in 1969, which exemplified their harmony-driven style and contributed to their status as leading pop acts.[2][18] The Chicks maintained consistent visibility on the New Zealand charts from 1966 onward, rarely absent during their peak years, alongside prolific output including EPs and albums recorded at facilities like Mascot Studios. This commercial momentum was amplified by relentless live touring across the country, with performances at venues like the Napier Soundshell during the 1967–1968 summer season and support slots for international visitors, including Sandie Shaw and The Pretty Things in Gisborne on September 1966.[2][15] Their rising profile extended to television, where they became staples on national music programs such as C'mon, featuring in the 1967 season finale and subsequent editions like C'mon '68 alongside peers including Ray Columbus. These appearances, combined with widespread media coverage in outlets like NZ Woman's Weekly, underscored their whirlwind ascent, cementing the Donaldsons as two of New Zealand's premier pop talents by the decade's end.[2][4]Later career and breakup
In the late 1960s, The Chicks transitioned to Polydor Records, releasing the albums C’mon Chicks in 1968 and Long Time Comin’ in 1969, while maintaining residencies at venues such as Mojos in February 1969 and the Beefeater Arms in June and October 1969.[19] Their joint activities continued into 1970, including a performance at the Redwood 70 festival over Auckland Anniversary Weekend from January 31 to February 1, marking one of New Zealand's earliest major music festivals.[8] In March 1970, they promoted their final single, "I Will See You There," with appearances in Ōtara and Manurewa, culminating in their last shared performance at Super Pop ’70 on March 25 at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, attended by Prince Charles and Princess Anne.[8][19] The duo disbanded later in 1970 after approximately six years of collaboration, ending all joint recordings and live performances.[3] Key factors included diverging personal interests, with Judy Donaldson seeking other pursuits and expressing discomfort with the duo format, while Sue Donaldson—later known as Suzanne Lynch—developed a strong inclination toward a solo career.[19] This split allowed each sister to explore independent paths, halting The Chicks' activities by the early 1970s.[8]Musical style
Influences and genre
The Chicks' musical style emerged from the 1960s pop milieu, heavily shaped by the British Invasion through direct exposure via tours with groups like The Pretty Things and artists such as Sandie Shaw.[8] Local New Zealand influences further informed their sound, including associations with domestic performers Ray Columbus and Ray Woolf, fostering a blend of vocal harmonies and upbeat rhythms adapted from international trends to resonate with Kiwi audiences.[8] This synthesis echoed the effervescent girl-group aesthetics of producers like Phil Spector while grounding it in the era's rock 'n' roll vitality.[11] Classified principally as a pop duo, their genre incorporated harmony-driven arrangements with intermittent R&B and garage elements, drawn from collaborations with backing bands like Johnny and the Contacts and high-energy performances.[8] Unlike country or bluegrass, which rely on narrative-driven acoustics and folk traditions, The Chicks prioritized pop's rhythmic drive and melodic immediacy, cultivating broad teen appeal through catchy, dance-oriented singles rooted in contemporary global pop currents rather than rural Americana.[15][8]Discography
Studio albums
The Chicks released four studio albums during their active years from 1965 to 1970, primarily featuring pop covers and original material adapted for their close-harmony style. Their debut, The Sound of the 'Chicks', came out in 1965 on Viking Records when Judy Donaldson was 16 and Sue was 14; recorded in single takes on two-track, it included tracks like "Heart of Stone" (The Rolling Stones cover) and "Hucklebuck" (Chubby Checker cover), capturing an early faux-American pop sound.[20][8][21] The follow-up, 2nd Album, appeared in 1966, also via Viking (VP186), continuing their emphasis on upbeat pop interpretations with production by Ron Dalton.[22][8] Shifting labels, C'Mon Chicks was issued in 1968 on Polydor, produced by Ray Columbus at Mascot Studios in Auckland and featuring a cover designed by Ron Fulstow.[8][18] Their final effort, A Long Time Comin', arrived in 1970 on Polydor, with photography by Roger Donaldson, marking the end of the duo's joint recordings before Sue pursued solo work.[23][8]Compilation albums
The Chicks Greatest Hits is the duo's sole compilation album, released in 1968 by Festival Records as a stereo vinyl LP in New Zealand.[24] This retrospective collection aggregates twelve tracks primarily drawn from their early singles between 1965 and 1967, highlighting covers of pop and rock standards that fueled their rise in the New Zealand charts.[24][25] Notable selections include high-energy renditions of "River Deep – Mountain High" (originally by Ike and Tina Turner) and "The Hucklebuck", which marked one of their initial breakthroughs upon debut in 1965.[24] The album's tracklist comprises:- A1: River Deep, Mountain High
- A2: Hucklebuck
- A3: Gotta See My Baby
- A4: Tweedle Dee
- A5: Cumala Be Stay
- A6: Love Is Strange
- B1: What Am I Doing Here With You
- B2: Looking For The Right Guy
- B3: The Rebel Kind
- B4: Goodnight Baby
- B5: The Birds And The Bees
- B6: You Won’t Forget Me[24]
Singles
The Chicks released a series of pop singles between 1965 and 1970, achieving domestic success in New Zealand through upbeat, harmony-driven tracks issued primarily on local labels Viking, Impact, Festival, and Polydor.[7] Their debut single, "Hucklebuck" b/w "Looking for the Right Guy," appeared in 1965 on Viking Records and marked an instant hit, earning them a nomination as finalists for Single of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards.[3] Other early releases that year included "Heart of Stone" b/w "I Want You to Be My Boy" and "Java Jones" b/w "He's My Guy," contributing to their rapid rise with five singles, three EPs, and two albums in short order.[7][3] Subsequent singles maintained their momentum, such as "Cumala Be Stay" b/w "Be Bop a Lula" (1966, Viking) and "You Won't Forget Me" b/w "Gotta See My Baby Every Day" (1967, Festival).[7] By 1968, "What Am I Doing Here with You" b/w "River Deep – Mountain High" (Festival) showcased their interpretive style on covers.[7] The duo's later output included three Polydor singles in 1969: "Say a Prayer for Michael" b/w "Society's Child," "Miss You Baby" b/w "Are You Sure," and "Stoney End" b/w "Get Ready-Uptight," with "Miss You Baby" peaking at number 5 on the New Zealand charts.[7][26] Their final shared single, "I Will See You There" b/w "Long Time Comin'," emerged in 1970 amid their breakup.[7]| Title | Year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hucklebuck | 1965 | Viking | Instant hit; awards finalist |
| Heart of Stone | 1965 | Viking | Early domestic success |
| Miss You Baby | 1969 | Polydor | Peaked at #5 in New Zealand |
Awards and honors
Aotearoa Music Awards
The Chicks garnered early recognition in New Zealand's music industry through nominations at the inaugural Lever Hit Parade Awards in 1965, which evolved into the Loxene Golden Disc awards and eventually the Aotearoa Music Awards, focusing on top-selling singles as precursors to formal Single of the Year categories.[27] These early accolades highlighted their breakthrough hits amid a competitive field dominated by local and international acts.[28] Their nominations spanned key years of their active recording period, reflecting commercial success with harmony-driven pop covers, though they did not secure wins against stronger chart performers.[27]| Year | Song | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Hucklebuck" | Single of the Year | Nominated (winner: Ray Columbus and the Invaders – "Till We Kissed")[27] |
| 1968 | "River Deep-Mountain High" | Single of the Year | Nominated[27] |
| 1969 | "Miss You Baby" | Single of the Year | Nominated (winner: Shane – "Saint Paul")[27][29] |