As The Chicks, New Zealand sisters Judy Donaldson (born 1950) and Suzanne “Sue” Donaldson (born 1952) became a teenage pop sensation and one of the country’s most popular acts of the 1960s.
Born in Wellington, the sisters moved with their family to West Auckland and grew up around a vibrant musical environment.
In 1965, when Sue was just 14 and Judy was 16, they were overheard singing at a neighbour’s party by famed Kiwi guitarist Peter Posa and his manager, Ron Dalton, who was so impressed that he took them into Viking Studios to record.
Their rich vocal harmonies, matching mod outfits, trendy haircuts and energetic dance moves ensured that for five years they were seldom off New Zealand TV screens or radio airwaves.
They became household names and regular fixtures on music television shows, especially the iconic music show C’mon (pictured).
Between 1965 and 1970, they scored multiple national hits, including The Hucklebuck (1965), Miss You Baby (1965), Tweedle Dee (1966), and Timothy (1969).
They capped off their successful run at New Zealand’s first major modern music festival, ‘Redwood 70’ before disbanding in 1970.
Judy stepped away from the music industry, but Sue launched a highly successful solo career as Suzanne Lynch.
She moved to London and became an elite session singer, touring and recording with global superstars including Cat Stevens, Neil Sedaka, and Olivia Newton-John.
Decades later, she returned to New Zealand screens as a vocal coach for reality shows like New Zealand Idol and New Zealand’s Got Talent.
In October 2020, The Chicks were officially inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
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In 1965, when Sue was just 14 and Judy was 16, they were overheard singing at a neighbour’s party by famed Kiwi guitarist Peter Posa and his manager, Ron Dalton, who was so impressed that he took them into Viking Studios to record.
They toured relentlessly with other New Zealand stars and international artists, including Sandie Shaw, PJ Proby and The Pretty Things.
