NEIL FINN'S LEGACY 🎶

Neil Finn was born in Te Awamutu in 1958 six years after the birth of his brother Tim. His family home appeared in the video for Don't Dream It's Over. Following in his brother's footsteps, Neil was musical, and took piano lessons and taught himself guitar, all while attending St Patrick's School, Sacred Heart College, and Te Awamutu College, the logo of which would become a song title on a Split Enz album. Neil became involved with a local folk group, but when he left school, he worked in a record shop. In 1976 he went to London. He was asked to join Tim's band called Split Enz - but soon changed their name to Crowded House. Don't Dream It's Over made the band famous. 

1. Sketch an outline map of New Zealand. Mark and label the birthplace of Neil.

Neil was born in Te Awamutu in 1958. Te Awamutu is a town in Waikato of New Zealand's North Island. It has a population of about 10,000 people. 















2. Explain the link between Neil and Oxfam.
When Crowded House finally split up, they decided to hold a charity concert in Sydney, Australia. Oxfam was the charity they fundraised for. 

3. Present evidence, not counting Oxfam, that Neil tries to help people.
Neil has been part of many ventures to help people - including when Neil built a studio in Auckland to help out local musicians. Neil certainly shows excellence, innovation, integrity and cares for the environment. 

4. Explain the continuing impact of Neil on his home-town. 
The local museum in Te Awamutu includes a True Colours exhibition, featuring material involving the Finn music and family. This draws tourists to Te Awamutu, increasing popularity. 

5. Discuss the influence of artists like Neil on school bands. For example, think of the Smokefree Rock Quest.
As Neil was still in school when he joined local bands, it serves as an inspiration for younger school bands because it proves that they too can make it big like Neil. The Smokefree Rock Quest is a chance for school bands to share their music and take a big opportunity to do better in their own music. 

6. Web search: Find out about the reformed Crowded House, the new album Time On Earth, and how Neil Finn is continuing to make a difference.
When Neil asked Nick Seymour to play bass on his third-solo album, and Nick agreed, they decided that the album would be released under the Crowded House name. In January 2007 they announced they would be reuniting. They held auditions for 20 days before drummer Matt Sherrod joined the band. Don't Stop Now was a prominent single on their new album Time on Earth, and was performed before the album release in June and July. The album hit Number 1, number 2 in Australia, and 3 in the UK. Neil Finn has recently joined Fleetwood Mac as guitarist after the firing of Lindsey Buckingham earlier this year.