Bunny Walters
| Bunny Walters | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Katikati, New Zealand |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1969–1978 |
| Labels | Impact Records |
Bunny Walters is a New Zealand singer from Katikati who had a number of New Zealand hits during the 1970s. He is best known for the hits "Brandy", "Take the Money and Run", and "Nearest Thing to Heaven".
Background
Bunny Walters was born and raised in Katikati, a town on the North Island of New Zealand.[1]
In 1969, Walters competed against Tui Fox at Joe Brown’s at the Rotorua Soundshell during the Search for Stars event held there. Fox was singing similar material to Walters. Fox won the final with Walters coming in second.[2]
Walters's first single, titled "Just Out of Reach", was released in 1969. He then released "It's Been Too Long" and "Can't Keep You Out of My Heart".[3]
Walters made his first television appearance on Happen-Inn, a New Zealand television show.[4] After performing at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan, he received contracts to return to Japan. He gained considerable exposure. The New Zealand Herald reported that he may have also appeared on the Rolf Harris show in London.[5] In 1971, he replaced Vaughan Lawrence as the resident singer on Happen-Inn. [6]
From 1972 to 1974, he produced the hits "Brandy" (which reached #4 on the pop charts), "Take the Money and Run" (which reached #2), "Home Isn't Home Anymore" (which reached #18), and "The Nearest Thing to Heaven" (which reached #10 in 1974).[3]
In 1978, Walters recorded a promotional record for the New Zealand Labour Party. The single was titled "To Be Free with Labour" and was the B side of a song titled "To Be Free", written by Robinson-Bretnall.[7]
Walters appeared in the 1978 film Skin Deep[8] and an episode of Shortland Street.[9]
In 2013, Walters was the profile in episode 9 of The Untold Stories of New Zealand Music History.[10]
Releases
Singles
- Brandy / It's Mine, Impact IR 1073, 1972[11]
- Helena / We'll Sing in the Sunshine, Impact IR 1082, 1973[12]
- Take the Money and Run / Kiss Her Three Times, Impact IR 1079, 1973[13]
- Nearest Thing to Heaven / Songs We Sang Together, Impact IR 1084, 1974[14]
- Never to Young to Rock / Boogie Woogie Woman, Impact IR 1087, 1976[15]
- To Be Free / To Be Free with Labour, PR 868, 1978[16]
- Crazy / Help Me Out, Impact IR 2000, 1978[17]
Albums
- Bunny Walters Sings for Lovers and Rockers, Impact IMPS 108[18]
Compilations
- Various Artists Kiwi Classics, Vol. 2 - 1996[19]
References
- ↑ "KDV Mill". Katikati: Bay of Plenty Mural Town. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
- ↑ Audio Culture, 30 Jun 2014 Bunny Walters - still singing his heart out - Steven Shaw
- 1 2 Bunny Walters
- ↑ Auckland Star Auckland star, 8 April 1970
- ↑ New Zealand Herald New Zealand herald, 3 September 1970
- ↑ Auckland Star Auckland star, 10 September 1971
- ↑ Elsewhere Bunny Walters: To be Free with Labour (year unknown)
- ↑ imdb Bunny Walters
- ↑ newzealandcds.com Walters, Bunny: Very Best of Bunny Walters
- ↑ Scoop Independent News The Untold Stories Of New Zealand Music History
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters - Brandy
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters - Helena
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters – Take The Money And Run
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters – Nearest Thing To Heaven
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters – Never Too Young To Rock
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters – To Be Free
- ↑ Discogs Bunny Walters – Crazy
- ↑ Dreams Fantasies And Nightmares Bunny Walters Archived March 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ All Music Various Artists Kiwi Classics, Vol. 2