Pixie Williams
Pixie Williams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pikiteora Maude Emily Gertrude Edith Williams |
| Born | 12 July 1928 Mohaka, New Zealand |
| Died | 2 August 2013 (aged 85) Upper Hutt, New Zealand |
| Relatives | Ian Taylor (nephew)[1] |
Pikiteora Maude Emily Gertrude Edith "Pixie" Williams (married name Costello; 12 July 1928 – 2 August 2013) was a New Zealand singer best known for the song "Blue Smoke", recorded in 1949. In 2019, she was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Early life and family
Williams was born in 1928 at
"Blue Smoke"
"Blue Smoke" was the first single to be locally recorded and manufactured in New Zealand, backed by the song "Señorita", and was also the first release on the local
A self-taught singer, Williams was recommended to Karaitiana by his fiancée Joan, who had sung with her whilst staying at YWCA hostel in Wellington. She was to go on to sing on several more recordings during 1949 and 1950: "Bellbird Serenade" (backed by Jimmy Carter's Hawaiians), "Maori Rhythm" (backed by Alan Shand's Orchestra), and "Saddle Hill", as part of Ruru Karaitiana's Quavertones. The Quavertones were credited with "Let's Talk it Over" and "Windy City".[5]
Later life
In 1951, Williams went to Dunedin, where she met and married Irish-born John Edward "Paddy" Costello. The couple went on to have four children.[4][6] Paddy Costello died in 2006, and Williams returned to live in Wellington.[4]
In 2011, the
Williams died at a rest home and hospital in
Awards
On 2 October 2019, Williams, along with Ruru Karaitiana and Jim Carter, was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, to mark the 70th anniversary of the release of "Blue Smoke".[10][11]
Aotearoa Music Awards
The
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Pixie Williams | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | inductee | [12] |
References
- ^ "Music feature: Pixie Williams, her life and musical legacy". Radio New Zealand, National, Afternoons. Radio New Zealand. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Blue smoke singer Pixie Williams dies". TVNZ. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ Electoral district of Southern Maori: main roll of persons entitled to vote for Members of Parliament of New Zealand. 1957. p. 14.
- ^ a b c "Pixie Williams: the voice of Blue Smoke". Wellington City Library. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ ISBN 1-86953-508-1.
- ^ a b Donoghue, Tim (6 August 2013). "Blue Smoke singer Pixie Williams dies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Singer of NZ classic dies". Radio NZ. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ Van Beynen, Jennifer (16 July 2011). "Hit song finds new voice after 62 years". Dominion Post. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ "Genealogy and grave location enquiries". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "NZ Music Hall Of Fame Inductees – Ruru Karaitiana, Pixie Williams, Jim Carter". UnderTheRadar. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
- ^ "Aldous Harding takes top gong at 2019 Silver Scroll Awards". Stuff.co.nz. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ "HOME INDUCTEES". www.musichall.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
External links
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