When the Cat's Away (band)
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Female vocal group When the Cat's Away, are Annie Crummer
, Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby and Margaret Urlich
. Original member Diane Swann left the band in the 1990s.
This innovative band comprised five female singers, each well known in their own right. All had been with NZ bands or had performed as soloists. Notably, Margaret was with Peking Man (You Tube: "Room That Echoes") and Kim was with The Gurlz who won the 1981 Battle of The Bands. 'When The Cats Away' preceded The Spice Girls by five years and came together at The NZ Music Awards in 1986. Their impromptu performance impressed CBS who signed them to a record deal. They covered the Blue Mink 1970 UK hit "Melting Pot", a song which celebrated unity and racial harmony. With the aid of an innovative video (see You Tube) it became a number one hit. The band toured and held the record for the biggest grossing NZ act. Later, their album Live in Paradise went platinum. Their single Asian Paradise reached No 6 in the New Zealand charts. Annie Crummer went on to international success as the lead in "We Will Rock You, The Queen Musical", Margaret Urlich had a successful solo career in Australia with hits like "Escaping". Diane formed The Bads and Kim and Debbie released solo singles and performed with their own bands. 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of When The Cats Away.
Annie Crummer
Annie Crummer is a New Zealand Pop singer and songwriter who has seen success in both a solo career and as part of various musical groups.She grew up in West Auckland. Her father, a Cook Islander, was one of her strongest musical influences...
, Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby and Margaret Urlich
Margaret urlich
Margaret Urlich is an ARIA Award-winning musician based in New South Wales. Urlich came to Sydney, Australia, in 1988 to pursue her singing career. Her debut solo album, Safety in Numbers, was highly successful winning Breakthrough Artist - Album at that years ARIA Awards, as was the follow-up...
. Original member Diane Swann left the band in the 1990s.
This innovative band comprised five female singers, each well known in their own right. All had been with NZ bands or had performed as soloists. Notably, Margaret was with Peking Man (You Tube: "Room That Echoes") and Kim was with The Gurlz who won the 1981 Battle of The Bands. 'When The Cats Away' preceded The Spice Girls by five years and came together at The NZ Music Awards in 1986. Their impromptu performance impressed CBS who signed them to a record deal. They covered the Blue Mink 1970 UK hit "Melting Pot", a song which celebrated unity and racial harmony. With the aid of an innovative video (see You Tube) it became a number one hit. The band toured and held the record for the biggest grossing NZ act. Later, their album Live in Paradise went platinum. Their single Asian Paradise reached No 6 in the New Zealand charts. Annie Crummer went on to international success as the lead in "We Will Rock You, The Queen Musical", Margaret Urlich had a successful solo career in Australia with hits like "Escaping". Diane formed The Bads and Kim and Debbie released solo singles and performed with their own bands. 2011 will mark the 25th anniversary of When The Cats Away.