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Dobbyn joins Peter Urlich and Ian Morris to form Th' Dudes.
Dobbyn joined school friends Peter Urlich and Ian Morris to form Th' Dudes. Soon added bassist Peter Coleman and drummer Bruce Hambling. (Th’ Dudes, n.d.), (Bollinger, 2013) -
Th' Dudes debut at Croft's nightclub
The band played for free, but the show led to a stint at the Windsor Castle in Parnell. (Th’ Dudes - New Zealand Musicians & Bands, n.d.), (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes win Auckland Battle of the Bands
The band entered late into the competition but came out on top playing a set of cover songs. (Th’ Dudes - New Zealand Musicians & Bands, n.d.), (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes gig around Auckland
Th' Dudes gigging becomes more regular during 1976 and they become heavily influenced by Hello Sailor, another upcoming gig band. (Th’ Dudes - New Zealand Musicians & Bands, n.d.), (Bourke, 2013) -
Charley Gray becomes Th' Dudes manager
After becoming a popular regular at the venue, Island of Real, its owner Charley Gray became the band's manager. He insisted that the band be treated well and act like stars and was known for being demanding to venue managers. (Th’ Dudes - New Zealand Musicians & Bands, n.d.), (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes debut single "Be Mine Tonight"
Dobbyn writes and sings on "Be Mine Tonight" which reaches no. 36 on the New Zealand charts. (Bourke, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
Th' Dudes debut album 'Right First Time'
In June of 79' Th' Dudes release their first album and take to the road touring with it. The album peaked at no. 17 on the New Zealand charts. (Bourke, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
Wellington ANZAC Day Concert and Group Issues
The group seemed to peak their stardom entitlement (originally encouraged by Charley Grey) when they pulled out of the ANZAC day concert at the Wellington Opera House because the sound system wasn't up to their standard. They had been traveling luxuriously during this tour and tensions had also been rising between the group with a scuffle even breaking out between Dobbyn and Lez White. (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes Australia Tour
After feeling like stars in New Zealand, Dobbyn and the band joined a month-long tour in Australia with a support group in November of 79'. This lowered their pride as they lacked support in Australia and played at the bottom of bills with sometimes uninterested fans. (Bourke, 2013) -
79' Auckland Music Awards
The band made a quick trip back to NZ during their Australia tour for the Auckland Music Awards. They won Best Single for "Be Mine Tonight" and Best Group. However, their appearance at the awards wasn't taken well with Dobbyn mocking the industry during an acceptance speech and the band coming across as prima donnas. (Bourke, 2013) -
Sweetwater Festival
Th' Dudes gave one of their best performances after landing a prime slot just before Elvis Costello. They had some outlash from a small group of fans throwing eggs during their performance, but it only fired up the band more to deliver a great show. (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes breakup
After three months of exhausting and touring and an overdone lifestyle, Morris and Urlich announced they were leaving the band. Th' Dudes played their last show at Mainstreet a week after. (Bourke, 2013) -
Th' Dudes second and final album 'Where Are the Boys?'
Even though they had officially broken up, Th' Dudes left a gift with their departing. They recorded their second and final album "Where Are the Boys?" and released it in July of 1980. (Bourke, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
Th' Dudes "Bliss"
What has become perhaps the band's most famous song and pub anthem, "Bliss" was written by Dobbyn for their final album and peaked at no. 25 on the New Zealand charts. (Bourke, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
Dobbyn forms DD Smash
Following the breakup of Th' Dudes, Dobbyn forms a new band originally called Dave Dobbyn's Divers. Fellow new bandmate Peter Warren comes up with the name DD Smash instead and it sticks. (Bollinger, 2013), (Johnstone, 2015) -
DD Smash releases 'Cool Bananas'
The first album released by Dobbyn led DD Smash. The album peaked at no. 1 on the New Zealand charts and won Best Album the same year at the 1982 New Zealand Music Awards. Featured the hit song "Devil You Know." (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
DD Smash releases "Outlook for Thursday"
A hit single released by Dobbyn and the band peaking at no. 3 on the New Zealand charts. Made use of the band's new horn section and went over well with New Zealanders. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
DD Smash releases 'Live: Deep In The Heart Of Taxes'
The band's second album; includes the songs "Guilty" which starts to show Dobbyn's ballad writing abilities, and "Outlook for Thursday" which had been released earlier that year becoming a hit. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (DD Smash - Live: Deep In The Heart Of Taxes | Releases | Discogs, n.d.) -
DD Smash releases "The Optimist
DD Smash released their third album in 1984. By this time the band had been reduced to just Dobbyn and Warren and they had become based in Sydney. The album peaked at no. 6 on the NZ charts with "Whaling" and "Magic (What She Do)" becoming hits. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (“The Optimist (DD Smash Album),” 2024) -
DD Smash disbands
Following the Queen Street Riot, the group quickly deteriorated and Dobbyn went silent for two years. (Bollinger, 2013) -
Aotea Square Concert / Queen Street Riot
DD Smash returned from Australia to headline a free end-of-the-year concert in Auckland. The concert eventually deteriorated into the historical Queen Street Riot with a confrontation between the fans and police. Dobbyn ended up being charged with inciting the riot for some foul comments he made on stage during the ordeal, although he was ultimately acquitted. It left a bad stain on the group and Dobbyn. (Mitchell, 2012), (Bollinger, 2013) -
Provincial Pub Tour
Although now a mainstream star, Dobbyn decided to do a tour through pubs in New Zealand with the group The Stone People. They played primarily rock and roll. (Bollinger, 2013) -
"Slice Of Heaven"
What has become perhaps Dave Dobbyn's most famous song, "Slice Of Heaven" came from a collaboration with the Pacific reggae group Herbs for the 'Footrot Flats' soundtrack. It peaked at no. 1 on both the NZ and Australian charts. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024) -
'Footrot Flats' soundtrack
Reemerging in 1986, Dobbyn composed and performed the soundtrack to New Zealand's first feature-length animated cartoon 'Footrot Flats'. This began his solo career and placed Dobbyn in mainstream New Zealand culture with the hit songs "You Oughta Be In Love" and "Slice of Heaven". (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (Dave Dobbyn - Footrot Flats - The Dog’s T̶a̶i̶l̶ Tale, 1986) -
'Loyal' album
Dobbyn released his first full solo album 'Loyal' in 1988. Despite having great success in New Zealand topping the NZ charts at no. 9, it failed to excite the Australian markets like "Slice Of Heaven" was able to. The album featured another one of Dobbyn's most famous songs, "Loyal". (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (“Loyal (Dave Dobbyn Song),” 2024) -
"Loyal" song
Off the album 'Loyal' was another Dobbyn anthem, "Loyal". Even though it didn't have the immediate success that "Slice Of Heaven" had, "Loyal" has become a New Zealand staple for ceremonies and sporting events. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (“Loyal (Dave Dobbyn Song),” 2024) -
1989 Sydney Interview
Dobbyn was living in Sydney during the 'Loyal' album release and tour which failed to excite Australian fans. When asked in an interview in 1989 about it, Dobbyn replied that he was “disappointed “Loyal” didn’t really do much in Australia” followed with, “it's great, I’m free.” This freedom was in regard to the contract he had with CBS in Australia at the time and it provides foreshadowing for Dobbyn's eventual return to Auckland where he felt most comfortable. (Dobbyn 1989 / Lastly 2022) -
Shipped off to LA
After Dobbyn's longest quiet spell from releasing music, he was shipped off the LA by Warner Music to work with Mitchell Froom. (Bollinger, 2013) -
'Lament For The Numb' album
Unfortunately, Dobbyn was not inspired in the way Warner had hoped in LA and his second album 'Lament For The Numb' was dark and very different from his previous work. However, the album did have some musical highlights like "Belle Of The Ball" which won Dobbyn an APRA Silver Scroll Award. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (“Lament for the Numb,” 2024) -
Return to Auckland
Following a not-so-successful tour of Australia, Dobbyn returned to Auckland in 1994 with a much brighter outlook. (Bollinger, 2013) -
'Twist' album
While staying at Bethells Beach near Auckland, Dobbyn composed and released his third album, 'Twist'. Including lots of New Zealand imagery, this album was much lighter than his previous one, highlighting his better mindset in his home country. (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (Dave Dobbyn - Twist — Neil Finn Website, n.d.) -
'The Islander' album
Dobbyn had finally settled back into his home of New Zealand and made peace with his roots in his 4th album, 'The Islander'. The album peaked at no. 1 on the New Zealand charts and featured some of his biggest hits since "Slice Of Heaven," including "Waiting" and "Beside You." (Bollinger, 2013), (“Dave Dobbyn,” 2024), (“The Islander (Album),” 2024)