Willie Hona

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

Willie Hona
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

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

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

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

Singles
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

Aotearoa Music Awards

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.
2012Willie Hona (as part of Herbs)New Zealand Music Hall of Fameinductee[8]

References
  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. "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. "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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