Tina Cross

Last updated

Tina Cross
Tina Cross ONZM (cropped).jpg
Cross in 2007
Background information
Birth nameTina Marie Cross
Born (1959-01-27) 27 January 1959 (age 65)
Auckland, New Zealand
Genres Pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, ukulele
Years active1976–present
Website www.tinacross.com

Tina Marie Cross ONZM (born 27 January 1959) is a New Zealand singer. She sang the winning entry in the 1979 Pacific Song Contest, and was the lead vocalist of synthpop band, Koo De Tah, whose single "Too Young for Promises" was a top ten hit in Australia in 1985. [1]

Contents

Biography

1959–1974: Early days and TV

Cross is one of six siblings and grew up in Ōtara from the age of four, except for a three-year stint in Kaitaia. [2] Of Māori descent, she affiliates to Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Porou. [3] Cross' mother is of Maori-Croatian descent. [2] While the family were in Northland, Tina and one of her siblings won a talent quest. [2]

In 1974, her friend, Kim Hart, encouraged Cross to audition for the school's musical productions with their band, Chalkdust, and the pair sharing singing duties. [2] In 1975, the group auditioned for television talent show Opportunity Knocks and while the band missed out, the producers saw enough in 16-year-old Cross to offer her a one-year contract where she learned her craft. Cross was soon presenting herself to a national audience via popular television shows such as Smile and Once More With Feeling.[ citation needed ]

In 1976, Tina Cross and Kim Hart was in the Penrose High School Band, Chalkdust [4] . Chalkdust became a finalist in the 1976 Battle of the Bands competition. Kim Hart would sign with EMI Australia in 1977 and would have a top 10 hit "Love At First Night" by 1980.

In 1977 Cross spent some time as a dancer on the television show, Top of the World and also appeared on several episodes of Ready to Roll, where she sang the current popular hits of the day. In 1978 Cross won the rising star award at the Entertainer of the Year awards. [2]

1979–1982: New Zealand music

In 1979, Cross released four singles, all of which made the top 50 of the New Zealand charts. [5] Her fourth single, "Nothing But Dreams", was the New Zealand entry into the 1979 Pacific Song Contest, which it won. [6] Cross released her debut studio album You Can Do It in 1979.

In 1980, Cross again represented New Zealand at the Pacific Song Contest, this time, a duet with Derek Metzger titled, "Once Again With You", taking out second place. [2] [6] Cross began working on a second studio album, a shift from disco to new wave ultimately failed and the album, Tina X, did not chart.[ citation needed ]

Cross maintained a high profile with numerous television appearances and in 1982 she relocated across the Tasman to Sydney, Australia and began singing on the cabaret circuit. [6]

1983–1990: Koo De Tah

In 1984 she teamed up with composer-pianist Leon Berger and formed Koo De Tah. They had a hit with "Too Young for Promises" in 1985 which made it to 6 on the Australian charts, [7] two further singles "Body Talk" and "Think of Me" were released and a self-titled album in 1986. The group disbanded in 1987.[ citation needed ]

Following Koo De Tah, Cross launched a corporate cabaret act and toured India and Asia before returning to Auckland in 1990. [2]

1990–2005: Theatre

In 1992, Cross sang the vocals on the original theme song for the television soap opera Shortland Street , composed by Graham Bollard. [2]

In 1995 she appeared in touring productions of The Rocky Horror Show and Cats . She was named Best Theatrical Performer in 1995. [2] Over the following decade, Cross played major roles including the stage musical drama adaption of Once Were Warriors , (Michael Jackson's) Sisterella , Chicago , Boogie Nights and Miss Saigon , and produced The World Goes Round. [2]

2005–2011: The Lady Killers and Dancing with the Stars

In 2005 Cross co-founded the harmony group The Lady Killers with fellow vocalists Suzanne Lynch and Jackie Clarke. [2]

In 2007, Cross's career and charity work was recognised when she was named as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to the music industry. [2] In 2008, Cross was a contestant in the 2008 New Zealand series of Dancing with the Stars , placing fifth overall. [2] The Lady Killers released an album, Black is Back, in 2009.

2012–present: return to music

In 2012, Cross worked with Australian DJ and music producer StereoLove. Together, they released three singles including a cover of "Too Young for Promises" by Koo De Tah. Cross recommenced writing and in June 2014, Cross released the single "Walk Away", which written to raise funds and awareness for Women's Refuge. [8] Cross released her third studio album Lay Down Your Heart in October 2014.[ citation needed ]

In October 2014, she was presented with the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc, the highest honour available for a New Zealand variety entertainer. [9]

In November 2017, Cross released "Another Little One", a song Cross wrote inspired by toddler Moko Tangitoheriri's brutal death. The single was released as the centrepiece of Shine's annual Christmas campaign in 2017, asking that no more children be lost to violence or suffer abuse. [10]

Discography

Albums

YearTitleDetails
1979You Can Do It
  • Label: Philips
  • Catalogue: 6334017
  • Format: LP, cassette
1980Tina X
  • Label: Polygram
  • Catalogue: 6456 010
  • Format: LP
2014Lay Down Your Heart
  • Released: 17 October 2014 [11]
  • Label: Tina Cross
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ [12]
1979"Make Love to Me"15You Can Do It
"Everybody Let's Dance"13
"Lay Back in Your Lover's Arms"38
"Nothing But Dreams"47Non-album single
1980"This Time"Tina X
1982"Losing Your Touch"non-album single
1983"Ring Around My Finger"non-album single
1984"New Blood"non-album single
2012"Too Young for Promises" (Stereolove featuring Tina Cross) [13] non-album single
"I Wish That" (Stereolove featuring Tina Cross) [14] non-album single
2013"Burn It Up" (Stereolove featuring Tina Cross) [15] non-album single
2014"Walk Away" [16] Lay Down Your Heart
2017"Another Little One" [17] non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Tina Cross won one awards in that time. [18]

YearNominee / workAwardResult (wins only)
1983Tina CrossJohnny O'Keefe Encouragement AwardWon

See also

Related Research Articles

Sharon Lea O'Neill is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and pianist, who had an Australasian hit single in 1983 with "Maxine" which reached No. 16 on both the Australian Kent Music Report and Recording Industry Association of New Zealand charts.

<i>In Deep</i> (Tina Arena album) 1997 studio album by Tina Arena

In Deep is the fourth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Tina Arena released by Columbia Records in Australia on 18 August 1997. The album entered the Australian ARIA Albums Chart at Number 1, on 25 August 1997, knocking Middle of Nowhere by Hanson off the top spot, making it Arena's second Number 1 album, to Don't Ask.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooke Fraser</span> New Zealand musician (born 1983)

Brooke Gabrielle Ligertwood, professionally known as Brooke Fraser, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. After signing with Sony BMG in 2002, she gained recognition for her debut album, What to Do with Daylight (2003) and followed with Albertine (2006) and Flags (2010). All three debuted at number one on the RMNZ chart and gained her the number one single "Something in the Water". She later released Brutal Romantic (2014), various compilation albums, the live album Seven (2022) and Eight (2023). The latter two were released by Capitol CMG under her married name, Brooke Ligertwood.

Aaradhna Jayantilal Patel, better known by the mononym Aaradhna, is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, and musical recording artist. She made her musical debut in 2004 featuring on the single "Getting Stronger" with the group Adeaze which peaked at number one on the official New Zealand Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maroon 5 discography</span>

American pop rock band Maroon 5 has released seven studio albums, three live albums, two compilation albums, one remix album, six extended plays (EPs), 36 singles, eight promotional singles, and 43 music videos. The group originally formed in 1994 as Kara's Flowers while they were still attending high school. With a line-up of Adam Levine, Jesse Carmichael, Mickey Madden and Ryan Dusick, they released their independent album, We Like Digging? in 1995. In 1997, they signed to Reprise Records and released an album, The Fourth World. After a tepid response to the album, the band parted with their record label and attended college. In 2001, the band regrouped and added James Valentine to the lineup, and pursued a new direction under the name Maroon 5.

Koo De Tah was a New Zealand/Australian pop music band of the 1980s. The core band members were New Zealander Tina Cross and Russian-Australian Leon Berger; the group was based in Sydney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gin Wigmore</span> New Zealand singer

Virginia Claire Wigmore is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. Featured on the Smashproof single "Brother" in 2009, Wigmore went on to release four albums – Holy Smoke (2009), Gravel & Wine (2011), Blood to Bone (2015) and Ivory (2018) – with the first three having been chart-toppers on the New Zealand Albums Chart. She is known for her high pitched and raspy voice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Mauboy discography</span>

Australian singer and songwriter Jessica Mauboy has released five studio albums, one live album, three soundtrack albums, one extended play, and forty-three singles. Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol in 2006, and subsequently signed a contract with Sony Music Australia. She released her debut live album The Journey in February 2007, which features songs she performed as part of the top twelve on Australian Idol. The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 35,000 copies. Mauboy briefly became a member of the Australian pop girl group Young Divas later that year, before resuming her solo career early in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding discography</span>

English singer Ellie Goulding has released five studio albums, two remix albums, eight extended plays, 47 singles, 13 promotional singles and 49 music videos. As of February 2023, Goulding had sold 27 million albums and 216 million singles, and amassed 43 billion streams worldwide. Additionally, she had sold over 1.5 million albums and over 4.3 million singles in the United Kingdom alone as of February 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie McDell</span> Musical artist

Jamie McDell is a New Zealand musician and singer-songwriter. She was discovered at the age of 16 by EMI Music New Zealand after sending them a demo tape of her acoustic original music. Prior to being signed by a major record label, McDell used various social media outlets to gain exposure, posting YouTube videos – including original songs and cover songs, Twitter and Facebook to get her music out to the masses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MØ</span> Danish singer (born 1988)

Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen, known professionally as , is a Danish singer and songwriter. She began her career in the mid-2000s as a member of the punk duo MOR and releasing a handful of side projects. After MOR disbanded in 2012, MØ signed a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment, releasing her debut extended play, Bikini Daze (2013), and her debut studio album, No Mythologies to Follow (2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ria Hall</span> New Zealand musician

Ria Hall is a Māori recording artist, singer-songwriter, television presenter, and political candidate. She has released two solo albums, Rules of Engagement (2017), which topped the Official New Zelaand Music Chart shortly after its release, and Manawa Wera (2020). Her work reflects Māori society and history, and Hall regularly sings in Māori as well as English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX discography</span>

English singer Charli XCX has released six studio albums, four mixtapes, three extended plays, one live album, one soundtrack album, two DJ mixes, 48 singles, and 13 promotional singles. In 2007, XCX began recording her debut album on a loan granted by her parents. Titled 14, after her age at the time, it received only a restricted public release. Two singles, "!Franchesckaar!" and double A-side "Emelline" / "Art Bitch", were released in late 2008 under Orgy Music. In June 2012, Charli XCX released her first mixtape, titled Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, a one-track file consisting of eight songs. A second mixtape, titled Super Ultra, was released in November of the same year. Charli XCX's major-label debut studio album, True Romance, was released in April 2013, and peaked at number 85 on the UK Albums Chart. While failing to appear on any main album charts internationally, the album reached number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States and number 11 on the ARIA Hitseekers chart in Australia. The album spawned five singles—"Stay Away", "Nuclear Seasons", "You're the One", "You " and "What I Like". In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on Icona Pop's song "I Love It", which peaked at number one in the UK and reached the top 10 in various countries including the US, Canada, Ireland and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broods</span> New Zealand musical duo

Broods are a musical duo from Nelson, New Zealand, composed of Georgia Josiena Nott on lead vocals, with older brother and multi-instrumentalist Caleb Allan Joseph Nott on production and backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MØ discography</span>

Danish singer and songwriter MØ has released three studio albums, three extended plays and thirteen singles, plus six as a featured artist.

Snakehips are a British electronic music duo. The line-up consists of Oliver Lee and James Carter. Snakehips made their name with Hype Machine doing remixes for Banks, The Weeknd, Bondax and Wild Belle. They are best known for their 2015 single, "All My Friends".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Mai</span> British R&B singer (born 1994)

Ella Mai Howell is an English R&B singer-songwriter. Her musical career began at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of The X Factor. In 2015, she released her debut four-track solo extended play (EP), Troubled in October of that year. The EP and her performances on social media were discovered by American record producer DJ Mustard, who signed Mai to his record label 10 Summers Records, an imprint of Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Young for Promises</span> 1985 single by Koo De Tah

"Too Young for Promises" is a song written by Leon Berger and recorded by the Australian/New Zealand band Koo De Tah. It was released as the band's debut single in June 1985 and peaked at number 6 on the Australian Kent Music Report. The single was also released via the Mercury Record Label in South Africa and was immensely popular on radio and in clubs, but relegated to the HiNRG genre, hence failed to make a dent on the Springbok Singles Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woke Up Late</span> 2017 song by Drax Project

"Woke Up Late" is a song by New Zealand band Drax Project, originally released in November 2017. It reached number 15 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was included on their 2018 EP Noon.

Kim Hart is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, who had an Australasian hit single in 1980 with "Love at First Night" which reached No.6 on the Australian Kent Music Report.

References

  1. "Tina Cross ONZM – Singer, Performer & Entertainer. Official Website". Tinacross.co.nz. n.d. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Tina Cross". Audio Culture. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  3. "Tina Cross". Sounz: Centre for New Zealand Music. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  4. Gavin Scott and Robbie Molinari (June 2022). "EPISODE 11: Koo De Tah with Tina Cross and John Bettison". chartbeats.com.au (Podcast). Chart Beats: A Journey Through Aussie Pop. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  5. Steffen Hung (n.d.). "Tina Cross – Everybody Let's Dance". charts.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Tina Cross". sergent. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  7. "Tina Cross – New Zealand Musicians & Bands". Muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  8. "Right on song for abuse message". The New Zealand Herald. 17 December 2015. ISSN   1170-0777 . Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  9. "Variety Artists Club of New Zealand". Vacnz.com. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  10. "Tina Cross single Another Little One". 2shine. November 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  11. "Lay Down Your Heart". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  12. "TINA CROSS IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  13. "Too Young for Promises – feat. Tina Cross". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  14. "I Wish That – feat. Tina Cross". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  15. "Burn it Up – feat. Tina Cross". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  16. "Walk Away –single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  17. "Another Little One–single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  18. "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.