Space Waltz | |
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Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
Genres | |
Years active | 1974–1975; 2023 |
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Past members |
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Space Waltz are a New Zealand glam rock band formed in 1974 by frontman Alastair Riddell. In 1974, they had a number-one hit in New Zealand with "Out on the Street".
In 1974, Alastair Riddell (vocals/guitar), Greg Clark (guitar), Eddie Rayner (keyboards), Peter Cuddihy (bass), and Brent Eccles (drums) had been performing as a covers band named Stewart and the Belmonts. Seeking to record Riddell's original compositions, they entered the television talent quest New Faces under the name Space Waltz. In the qualifying round they performed "Out on the Street"; in the finals, "Beautiful Boy", creating a stir with Riddell's "androgynous" image (influenced by David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust). [1] Although Space Waltz did not win the final, they attracted attention from rock fans and were promptly signed up by EMI Records, who released "Out on the Street" as a single. [2] The song reached number 1 on the New Zealand charts. [3] [4]
In 1975 the band's debut album was released, entitled Space Waltz by Alastair Riddell, creating some confusion among the public as to whether Space Waltz was a group or a Riddell solo project. [1] The album, which featured backing vocals by The Yandall Sisters, made the New Zealand Top 20, with the second single, "Fraulein Love", reaching the Top 30. [lower-alpha 2] Space Waltz won Best New Artist at the 1975 Recording Arts Talent Awards. [7]
The group subsequently flew to Australia but were unable to finalise a record deal there, and disbanded shortly afterwards. Riddell pursued a solo career, Rayner joined Split Enz, and Clark and Eccles joined Citizen Band.
In 2023, the band reunited for the release of a second album, Victory, which featured a blend of new songs together with re-recordings of selected tracks from their first album. [8]
Title | Year |
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"Out on the Street" / "Angel" | 1974 |
"Fraulein Love" / "Scars Of Love" | 1975 |
Title | Year | Notes |
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Space Waltz by Alastair Riddell | 1975 | Reissued on CD in 2002 [9] and 2023. [10] |
Victory | 2023 |
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Alastair Riddell is a New Zealand singer-songwriter.
"Out on the Street" is a 1974 single by New Zealand band Space Waltz. The song peaked at number one in the New Zealand singles chart in October 1974, becoming the first glam rock song to achieve this distinction. The Bowie-influenced song was largely responsible for Space Waltz winning the "Best New Artist" award at the following year's New Zealand RATA Music Awards.