Tina Cross

Tina Cross
Born Otara, New Zealand
Genres Pop music,
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, talent judge
Instruments Singing
Years active 1979–present
Associated acts Koo De Tah
Website www.tinacross.co.nz

Tina Marie Cross ONZM is a New Zealand-born singer and judge, best known for being the lead vocalist of the new wave band, Koo De Tah, whose single "Too Young For Promises" was a top ten hit in Australia during 1985.[1]

Career

Tina was a winner of a talent contest in the 1979 Pacific Song Contest, and then came very close to duplicating this success the following year. Four singles she released all made the top 50 in her native New Zealand, including 'Make Love To Me', 'Everybody Let's Dance', 'Lay Back In Your Lovers Arms' and 'Nothing But Dreams'.[2]

After relocating to Sydney, she formed the band Koo De Tah and had the biggest hit of her career to date when the song "Too Young For Promises" made it as high as #6 on the Kent Music Report chart.[3]

She was the voice of the iconic Shortland Street theme.

She has starred in The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago, Miss Saigon, the Once Were Warriors musical as Beth Heke and as twice as Grizabella in Cats.

In 2007 Tina was awarded the Queen's Order of New Zealand Merit (ONMZ) for services to the music industry.

She was a contestant in the 2008 New Zealand series of Dancing With The Stars.

She is an Ambassador of Manurewa’s Totara Hospice and a Patron of North Shore Music Theatre. In June 2014 she was named an Ambassador of Women's Refuge New Zealand. Her single "Walk Away" was written to raise funds and awareness for Women's Refuge.

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.[4]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Details Peak chart
positions
NZ[5]
1979 You Can Do It
  • Label: Philips
  • Catalogue: 6334017
  • Format: LP, cassette
1980 Tina X
  • Label: Polygram
  • Catalogue: 6456 010
  • Format: LP
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

With Koo De Tah

For a more comprehensive list, see Koo De Tah.

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
NZ[5]
1979 "Make Love to Me" 15 You Can Do It
"Everybody Let's Dance" 13
Lay Back in Your Lover's Arms" 38
"Nothing But Dreams" 47 Non-album single
2014 "Walk Away" Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References