Wa Wa Nee

Wa Wa Nee was a 1980s Australian funk band.

Wa Wa Nee
OriginAustralia
GenresFunk, new wave, synthpop, pop rock
Years active1982–1989
LabelsCBS
Past membersPaul Gray
Steve Williams
Geoff Lundren
Elizabeth Lord
Chris Sweeney
Mark Gray
Phil Witchett
Websitewawanee.com.au

Career

Singer/songwriter Paul Gray and guitarist Steve Williams formed the band in 1982. They were joined by Geoff Lundren (bass), Elizabeth Lord (keyboards, backing vocals) and Chris Sweeney (drums) and signed with CBS Records in 1985. Mark Gray, Paul's brother,[1] and Phil Witchett joined the group soon after and their debut single "Stimulation" was released in April 1986. The song peaked at number 2 in Australia.[2] "I Could Make You Love Me" was released in August 1986 and peaked at number 5.[2] In November 1986, Wa Wa Nee released their debut self-titled album which peaked at number 29 in Australia.[2] Two more singles were released from the album, "Sugar Free" in December 1986 gave the band a third Australian Top 10 hit, and "One and One (Ain't I Good Enough)" in April 1987 which peaked inside the Top 20. "Sugar Free" was released in the United States in July 1987 and peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song featured in the film, Cassandra. "Stimulation" was released as the follow-up single where it peaked at number 86. It was featured in the film Satisfaction. In 1987, a remix album, titled Ulta Mixes was released.

During the recording of the second studio album in 1988, keyboardist Phil Witchett died. In November 1988, "Can't Control Myself" was released as the lead single from the band's second studio album. The song peaked at number 31. Their second studio album, Blush was released in May 1989, and spawned two more Top 100 hits in Australia, "So Good" and "I Want You". The group disbanded later in 1989.

Later works

After the dissolution of Wa Wa Nee, Bassist Mark Gray went on to work with Tania Bowra Band, with James Reyne and Indecent Obsession.

After Wa Wa Nee, Steve Williams was asked by Paul Christie to join The Party Boys performing on the single ‘Do Wah Diddy’. Williams continued to tour in James Freud’s band and Richard Clapton. Steve moved to Europe and soon found a new passion, teaching music. After returning to Australia, Steve was sought after performing with the likes of Swanee, Ray Parker Jr, Real Life, Lee Kernaghan, and Brian Cadd. Steve soon became a long time member of Australian Led Zeppelin band Zep Boys and became a mainstay in Choirboys with Mark Gable. In 2006, Steve worked with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and in 2008 accompanied the ASO and Deep Purple’s Jon Lord for an Australian tour. Steve has also been invited to perform for Australian touring musical productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Man from Snowy River, Singin In The Rain and Elvis The Musical.[4] Steve currently tours with Matt Finish and is a member of Absolutely 80s featuring Brian Mannix (Uncanny Xmen), Ally Fowler (Chantoozies) and many others. In 2022, Steve was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.[5]

Paul Gray worked with Deni Hines, CDB, Kate Ceberano, Tina Arena and Bardot as a keyboard player, musical director, songwriter and producer.[6] Paul Gray appeared in the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert series in Australia between late August and early September 2007 as a performer and musical director. He sang two songs: "Stimulation" and "Sugar Free". He has also appeared with 80s Enuff and Idols of the 80s. Gray performed Wa Wa Nee hits on 28 March 2010, at a fundraiser for the children of Jenin, a devastated area of the West Bank, Palestine. All funds went directly to the building of a pre-school in the area. Gray performed at local music venues in Melbourne in 2010, with fellow 1980s hitmakers, Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen) and Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men). Paul Gray supported Belinda Carlisle on some of her dates of her 2011 Australian Tour. Wa Wa Nee also supported Rick Astley during his 2012 and 2014 tour of Australia.

Singer Paul Gray died of multiple myeloma on 24 April 2018, aged 54.[7] The news was announced by his brother and fellow band member, Mark.[1]

In 2023, guitarist Steve Williams launched a new band celebrating the songs of Wa Wa Nee, Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee.[8] [9]

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[2]		 US
[10]
Wa Wa Nee
  • Released: 3 November 1986[11]
  • Label: CBS
  • Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray, Chris Cameron
 29 123
Blush
  • Released: 8 May 1989[13]
  • Label: CBS
  • Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray, Robyn Smith
 32 —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

Remix and compilation albums
List of remix and compilation albums, with selected details
Title Details
Ulta Mixes
  • Released: 1987
  • Label: CBS
  • Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray
  • Remix album
The Essential Wa Wa Nee

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[2]		 NZ
[14]		 US
[3]
"Stimulation" 1986 2 11 86 Wa Wa Nee
"I Could Make You Love Me" 5 — —
"Sugar Free" 10 — 35
"One and One (Ain't I Good Enough)" 1987 19 — —
"Can't Control Myself" 1988 31 — — Blush
"So Good" 1989 36 — —
"I Want You" 52 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
ARIA Music Awards of 1987 "Stimulation" ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single Nominated
themselves ARIA Award for Best New Talent Nominated
Paul Gray – Wa Wa Nee
("Stimulation", "I Could Make You Love Me")		 ARIA Award for Best Songwriter Nominated
Jim Tait for Wa Wa Nee by Wa Wa Nee ARIA Award for Engineer of the Year Nominated

Countdown Australian Music Awards

Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster ABC-TV from 1974 to 1987, it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine TV Week. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[15]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1986 Wa Wa Nee Best Debut Album Nominated
"Stimulation" Best Debut Single Nominated
themselves Best Debut Act Nominated
Most Popular Australian Group Nominated

See also

References
  1. "Australian singer Paul Gray of Wa Wa Nee dies aged 54". abc.net.au. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  2. Australian chart peaks:
  3. "Billboard > Wa Wa Nee Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. "Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee". tickets.oztix.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  5. "About". Wa Wa Nee Official Website. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  6. "Wa Wa Nee". Retro Universe. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  7. "Lead Wa Wa Nee singer Paul Gray dies". nine.com.au. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  8. "Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  9. "Tour Dates". Wa Wa Nee Official Website. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  10. "Billboard > Wa Wa Nee Chart History > Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  11. "Kent Music Report No 642 – 3 November 1986 > LP & Tape: New Releases". Retrieved 26 April 2018 – via Imgur.com (original document published by Kent Music Report).
  12. "Absolute 80s" (PDF). www.popshop.com.au. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  13. "Platterlog: LP & Tape – New Releases > 8 May 1989". Retrieved 26 April 2018 – via Imgur.com (original document published by Platterlog).
  14. "charts.nz > Wa Wa Nee in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
  15. "Countdown to the Awards" (Portable document format (PDF)). Countdown Magazine. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). March 1987. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
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