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Formation of Herbs
In 1979, Herbs was officially formed in New Zealand. The founding members included Toni Fonoti (vocals), Spencer Fusimalohi (guitar), Fred Faleauto (drums), Dave Pou (Bass), and Dilworth Karaka (Guitar) . Their shared Polynesian heritage and a passion for reggae music inspired the band's initial formation. -
Name Change
The band initially started as "Back Yard" in the mid-1970s with the members Toni Fonoti, Spencer Fusimalohi, and Fred Faleauto. But in 1979, when Dilworth Karaka joined, the band "Herbs" formed. In 1980, however, They briefly entertained the idea of adopting the name "Pacific Herbs" before officially rebranding the band as simply "Herbs" in 1980. This marked the beginning of their journey as Herbs, a name that would become synonymous with reggae music in the Pacific. -
First Major Performances
In the first half of 1981, Herbs gained national exposure to an audience numbering in the tens of thousands when they performed at the Sweetwaters festival on Ngaruawahia farmland. -
Wonder Concert
Three months later, the band again opened with the same cover song at the Stevie Wonder concert. However, the large crowd was sent home due to heavy rainfall as the show was cancelled before the main act could take the stage. As Fonoti later recalled, "They couldn’t go home and say, ‘Hey, we saw Stevie Wonder,’ they had to go home and say, ‘Hey, man, we saw Herbs.’" -
Release of "What's Be Happen?"
In July 1981, Herbs unveiled their EP titled "What's Be Happen?" This EP gained significant attention for its politically charged lyrics, tackling issues such as the treatment of Maori land rights activists, which also coincided with the Auckland Māori/Pacific community's efforts during the Springbok Tour. The EP provided a musical backdrop for the events surrounding the tour, offering songs that could be sung at rallies or played to uplift and rejuvenate individuals after the protests. -
John Berkley Leaving
As the band geared up to record their first album, Berkley decided to step away from the group, leading to his replacement by Phil Toms. Berkley acknowledged that he found his musical abilities somewhat constrained while working on song arrangements. With a background in graphic design, Berkley's enduring legacy within the band was the creation of the iconic Herbs logo, a design that would far outlive his time with the group, standing the test of thirty years. -
Members coming and going
During Herbs' history, there had been 30 members due to people coming and going. In 1982, Saxophonist Morrie Watene and percussionist Alan Foulkes briefly joined, but tensions led to Phil Toms' departure, later replaced by Jack Allen. Curiously, Fonoti, the band's main singer, left soon after, as he delved into Rastafari beliefs. Presented with a new record deal and fast-food chain sponsorship, Fonoti pondered its authenticity. Ultimately, he blessed the band's journey, stepping away from Herbs. -
Pacific Island Tour
In 1982, Herbs embarked on a frequent journey by touring the Pacific Islands, extending their influence beyond New Zealand. This expedition allowed them to establish connections with a more extensive Pacific audience. -
"French letter"
1983 was the release of the album "Light Of The Pacific," which included the immensely popular single 'French Letter.' This song remained on the singles chart for 11 weeks despite receiving minimal radio airplay. Interestingly, the radio stations that did choose to include it in their playlists decided to adopt a slightly less provocative title, renaming it as 'Letter To France.' as the song criticised France's nuclear testing endeavours at Mururoa Atoll. -
"Long Ago"
There was palpable excitement as the band returned to Mascot with producer Billy Kristian to record their new album. "Long Ago" made its debut at the close of 1984, featuring tracks that would become live favourites, including the title track, the enchanting ballad "On My Mind," and "Nuclear Waste." These songs were primarily written by Hona and Lundon, with the latter collaborating with Rob Van De Lisdonk. -
Queen Street Riot
On December 7, 1984, Herbs opened a free concert in Aotea Square known as "Thank God It's Over," celebrating the end of the school year. Unfortunately, during DD Smash's headline set, a power outage occurred, leading to restlessness among some of the 10,000 attendees. Subsequently, the police decided to shut down the concert. This decision resulted in a crowd overflow into Queen Street, where property damage and looting ensued, eventually causing an estimated $6 million worth of damages. -
Tina Turner
In 1985, Herbs had the opportunity to tour with the legendary American-born Swiss singer Tina Turner during her "Private Dancer" tour in New Zealand. This was a significant milestone for Herbs, as it gave them valuable exposure and helped further establish their reputation. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, as Herbs brought their unique Pacific and Maori influences to the stage during the tour, contributing to the overall diversity of the performances. -
Charlie Tumahai
Charlie Tumahai left New Zealand in 1966, played with notable Australian bands, and later joined Be Bop Deluxe, recording five albums and touring the US eight times. He also formed the Dukes with ex-Paul McCartney and Wings guitarist Jimmy McCulloch. In 1985, Tumahai returned to New Zealand making his Herbs debut at the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Festival in April 1986 featuring performances by Neil Young and Split Enz. This concert aimed to raise funds for a new Rainbow Warrior ship. -
Dave Dobbyn
In 1986, Herbs' unique vocal style played a crucial role in Dave Dobbyn's trans-Tasman chart-topping hit, "Slice Of Heaven." Reflecting on the experience, Dobbyn expressed, “Recording with the Herbs was a whole lot of fun. To have their wonderful voices on this tune sounds so right and it was an honour for me,” and “Graceland was out that year so it had a small influence on the ‘Da da da’s’.” -
"Sensitive To A Smile"
In 1987, Herbs released "Sensitive To A Smile," launched at the Mangahanea Marae in Ruatoria. This event was significant as it aimed to alleviate tensions between the local Rastafarian community and the broader community experiencing a series of arson attacks. At the New Zealand Music Awards, the album was recognised as the Best Album, and Dilworth Karaka and Charlie Tumahai received the Songwriters of the Year award for their work on "Sensitive To A Smile." -
The last "Back Yard" member
In 1988, Herbs appeared poised for significant developments. Mushroom Records released "Sensitive To A Smile" in Australia, featuring a drum-heavy remix of the title track. However, it was during this time that the band faced challenges. A pivotal moment occurred during a soundcheck when Fred Faleauto suddenly began screaming extensive passages from the Bible. Fred Faleauto, the last remaining connection to the band's earliest Back Yard days, ultimately departed from the group in June 1988. -
"Parihaka"
In June 1989, Herbs once again found themselves climbing the New Zealand music charts with their contribution to Tim Finn's single "Parihaka." This song had previously featured on Tim Finn's third self-titled album, recorded in Hollywood. However, Tim Finn was persuaded to re-record the track with a New Zealand band that shared a deep connection with the song's subject matter. This fresh rendition of "Parihaka" peaked at number six on the charts. -
Joe Walsh
In 1989, an unexpected opportunity arose. None other than Joe Walsh, former guitarist of the renowned 'Eagles', stepped in as the producer for this project. He even expressed a desire to relocate to the country and become a permanent member. During the recording sessions, Herbs performed live in town halls and theatres, with Joe Walsh accompanying them. However, by the time Herbs released their album "Homegrown" in 1990, Joe Walsh had permanently returned to the United States. -
Release of "Homegrown"
In 1990, Herbs released the "Homegrown" album featuring songs by Joe Walsh. The album explored different musical directions, leaving fans confused as it began with an acapella rendition of "Amazing Grace," seemingly striving to replicate the style of "E Papa" from their previous album. This was then succeeded by the first of two vocal tracks featuring Joe Walsh. Intriguingly, the three songs contributed by Walsh on the LP would later resurface on his solo recordings within the following years. -
Challenges in Fiji
In 1991, Herbs faced significant challenges when their equipment was impounded in Fiji due to a dispute with a local promoter. This incident led to financial difficulties and disrupted tour plans in the Pacific region. -
Reconciliation and Reformation
After a period of relative inactivity and internal disputes, Herbs underwent a reconciliation process in 1992. Some original members returned to the band, and the group reformed, allowing them to resume their music career. -
"Till We Kissed"
In 1993 Herbs released a single, "Till We Kissed", featuring the '60s icon Ray Columbus; however, they did not release a new album during this period. Despite the spirited vocals of Tumahai and the intense guitar work of the newly added member Tama Renata, "Till We Kissed" failed to succeed significantly. Nevertheless, the song found its place on the 1993 compilation album "13 Years Of Herbs: The Best Of," which spent ten noteworthy weeks on the charts and peaked at number 14. -
"Good for Life"
Herbs maintained a presence in the local music scene and continued to engage with social and political issues through their music. The band fully embraced the Motown style for their next single, "Good For Life," which was composed for the New Zealand Year of the Family campaign in 1994. Credited to Herbs and Friends, the track included additional vocal support from renowned New Zealand artists, such as Suzanne Lynch from the Chicks and Beaver and Hammond Gamble. -
"French Letter" re-recorded
In 1995, the French Government's resumption of nuclear testing in the Pacific caused Herbs to respond by re-recording their renowned protest song, "French Letter," which climbed to the ninth position on the charts. This reimagined song version also marked Nepia's return to the band.
During their tour of France in November, members of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team distributed copies of the cassingle to the Paris crowd following their final test match. -
Death of Charlie Tumahai
The Herbs faced a devastating loss on December 21, 1995, when Charlie Tumahai tragically died from a massive heart attack. He was involved in a volunteer organisation, assisting young Maori individuals at the Auckland District Court when this unexpected event occurred. Charlie Tumahai was only 46 years old at the time. Dilworth decided the band needed to take a break: "I told the guys we're taking a sabbatical. I need to walk with him for a while, do my grieving, and then send him on his way." -
Tumahai Tribute Concert
Following the death of Tumahai, the band regrouped in the new year (1996), with replacement bass player Max Hohepa
and without saxophonist Watene, it was for an Easter Sunday tribute concert to their fallen comrade, the proceeds going to Tumahai’s family. Other artists announced to
take part included Dave Dobbyn, Annie Crummer and Hello Sailor. -
Period: to
Silent Years
Following Charlie Tumahai's death, the band's progression came to a standstill. They would, however, come together for occasional performances, such as the first New Zealand Womad at Western Springs in 1997 -
Sweetwaters '99
Sweetwaters '99 was a significant musical event where Herbs made a memorable appearance. Their performance at the festival allowed them to connect with a diverse audience and showcase their musical talents. It was a momentous occasion that reminded fans of the band's enduring presence in New Zealand's music scene.