Willie_Hona
Willie Hona
New Zealand musician (1953–2024)
Wiremu Hona (22 July 1953 – 5 May 2024) was a New Zealand musician.[1]
Willie Hona | |
|---|---|
Hona (right) in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wiremu Hona |
| Born | (1953-07-22)22 July 1953 Rawene, New Zealand |
| Died | 5 May 2024(2024-05-05) (aged 70) Paraparaumu, New Zealand |
| Formerly of | Herbs, the Face |
Wiremu Hona was born in Rawene on 22 July 1953.[2]
Hona's career began alongside Mark Williams, Mack Tane and Gregg Findlay in the band the Face.[3]
In 1983 he released She Needs You and it reached #41 on the New Zealand Charts.[4]
In 1983 he also joined Herbs as singer and guitarist.[5] He appeared on two albums, Long Ago (1984) and Sensitive to a Smile (1987) and on multiple singles such as songs Slice of Heaven, Sensitive to a Smile and Listen. He left the band in late 1988.[6]
In 1991 he released a solo album called Keep an Open Heart.[7]
Hona died from pancreatic cancer in Paraparaumu, on 5 May 2024, at the age of 70.[7]
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Keep an Open Heart |
|
Singles
Aotearoa Music Awards
The Aotearoa Music Awards are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Willie Hona (as part of Herbs) | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | inductee | [8] |
- O'Meagher, Steven (August 1991), "Willie Hona opens up his heart", More
- "Willie Hona". AudioCulture. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- Munro, Wayne (7 August 2014), "Old Herbs man stars in solo concert", The Daily Examiner
- "OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES", The Official NZ Music Charts, 28 August 1983
- Munro, Wayne (9 July 1983), "A Herbal remedy!", 8 O'Clock
- "Herbs loses a prime ingredient", Auckland Star, 22 December 1988
- "New Zealand music legend Willie Hona dead", Radio New Zealand, 6 May 2024
- "HOME INDUCTEES". www.musichall.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- Willie Hona discography at Discogs
- Willie Hona at IMDb