Wiremu Hona (22 July 1953 – 5 May 2024) was a New Zealand musician.[1]

Willie Hona
Hona (right) in 2019
Hona (right) in 2019
Background information
Birth nameWiremu Hona
Born(1953-07-22)22 July 1953
Rawene, New Zealand
Died5 May 2024(2024-05-05) (aged 70)
Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Formerly ofHerbs, the Face

Early life and career

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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]

Death

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Hona died from pancreatic cancer in Paraparaumu, on 5 May 2024, at the age of 70.[7]

Discography

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List of demo albums
Title Album details
Keep an Open Heart
  • Released: 1991
  • Label: Festival Records (D30704)
  • Format: CD, Cassette

Singles

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List of singles with selected New Zealand positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[4]
1983 "She Needs You" 43
1991 "Keep An Open Heart" Keep An Open Heart

Awards

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Aotearoa Music Awards

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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]

References

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  1. ^ O'Meagher, Steven (August 1991), "Willie Hona opens up his heart", More
  2. ^ "Willie Hona". AudioCulture. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  3. ^ Munro, Wayne (7 August 2014), "Old Herbs man stars in solo concert", The Daily Examiner
  4. ^ a b "OFFICIAL TOP 40 SINGLES", The Official NZ Music Charts, 28 August 1983
  5. ^ Munro, Wayne (9 July 1983), "A Herbal remedy!", 8 O'Clock
  6. ^ "Herbs loses a prime ingredient", Auckland Star, 22 December 1988
  7. ^ a b "New Zealand music legend Willie Hona dead", Radio New Zealand, 6 May 2024
  8. ^ "HOME INDUCTEES". www.musichall.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
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