In 1986, Australian band Wa Wa Nee were in the unusual position of having a recording contract (with CBS records) but never having played a live gig.
Nevertheless, their debut single Stimulation (June 1986) reached #2 on the Australian chart and was the first debut single to reach gold status in Australia since Eagle Rock was a 1971 hit for Daddy Cool.
The band’s self-titled debut album went platinum and in 1987, English pop mogul Simon Napier-Bell became Wa Wa Nee’s manager.
Napier-Bell used to manage Wham! to whom Wa Wa Nee were unfavourably compared in their early days.
Wa Wa Nee broke up in 1988. Lead vocalist Paul Gray died on 24 April 2018 at the age of 54 after battling cancer. The musician had multiple myeloma.
Paul Gray
Vocals, keyboards
Mark Gray
Bass
Tony Buck
Drums
Paul Greenwood
Bass
Elizabeth Lord
Keyboards, Vocals
Geoff Lundren
Bass
Barton Price
Drums
Chris Sweeney
Drums
Phil Witchett
Keyboards
Steve Williams
Guitar, Vocals
Paul Najar
Keyboards