Biography
Who is Neil Finn?
Early life in New Zealand
Neil Finn Mullane Finn was born on May 27, 1958, in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. He was the youngest of four children born to Dick and Mary Finn. His father worked as an accountant, having served in the army during World War II, while his mother was a homemaker with strong religious influences. The family environment often centered around music, with regular sing-alongs performed around the family piano. These early experiences helped spark his lifelong interest in musical performance.
During his childhood, Neil often performed alongside his older brother, Tim. He spent much of his youth learning guitar and piano by observing his brother. He attended Sacred Heart College in Auckland and Te Awamutu College in Waikato. By the age of 12, he had decided to pursue a career as a musician. During his school years, he performed at various local venues, including hospitals and prisons, while also honing his skills at family gatherings.
Career with Split Enz and Crowded House
Neil joined the group Split Enz in 1977 after his brother Tim invited him to replace original member Phil Judd. He eventually became a primary creative force in the band, sharing lead singer duties and writing major hits such as I Got You. Following the breakup of Split Enz in 1984, he formed a new band called The Mullanes with drummer Paul Hester and bassist Nick Seymour. This group was later renamed Crowded House, named after the rental home they shared while recording in Los Angeles.
Crowded House achieved international recognition in 1987 with the release of the hit single Don't Dream It's Over, which he wrote. The band released several successful albums, including their self-titled debut, Temple of Low Men, and Woodface. Despite their success, the group disbanded in 1996 after a final concert at the Sydney Opera House. Neil re-formed the band in 2006 with Nick Seymour, Mark Hart, and drummer Matt Sherrod, following the death of Paul Hester in 2005.
Solo projects and other collaborations
Following the initial breakup of Crowded House, Neil started on a solo career, releasing albums such as Try Whistling This, One Nil, and Dizzy Heights. He also collaborated with his brother Tim on two albums released under the name The Finn Brothers. In 2001, he released a live project titled 7 Worlds Collide, featuring various musicians recorded at the St James Theatre in Auckland. Also, he composed music for the 2001 film Rain.
Neil has participated in several high-profile musical collaborations throughout his career. In 2011, he and his wife Sharon formed a musical project called Pajama Club. In 2018, he joined the band Fleetwood Mac for their world tour and remained a member until they disbanded in 2022. Throughout his time in the industry, he has received various honors, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music.
Birthday and age
Neil Finn was born on May 27, 1958, which makes Neil 68 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Neil shares the date with 33 other famous people.
Explore more
