Country: Europe
Herbs are a seminal New Zealand reggae group, founded in 1979 and led by singer-guitarist Dilworth Karaka, the only constant member throughout the band’s history. Herbs is notable for its multi-ethnic lineup, including Samoans, Tongans, Cook Islanders, New Zealand Europeans, and Māori, reflecting the diversity of Aotearoa. They were the 11th inductees into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, and their debut EP, What’s Be Happen?, is considered a benchmark for Pacific reggae. Musical Style and Influence Herbs’ music is upbeat, soulful, and politically conscious, often addressing race relations, social justice, and nuclear disarmament. They are credited as pioneers of the Pacific reggae sound, influencing modern New Zealand reggae acts like Fat Freddy's Drop, Katchafire, The Black Seeds, and Trinity Roots. Political Activism Herbs have a longstanding record of activism: Supported the Polynesian Panthers EP What’s Be Happen? featured an aerial photo of police action at Bastion Point (1978) Anti-nuclear songs include "French Letter", No Nukes (The Second Letter), Nuclear Waste, and Light of the Pacific In 1996, French Letter was re-recorded to protest nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll Career Highlights 1980s–1990s: Produced a string of hits and collaborated with major international artists including UB40, Taj Mahal, Tina Turner, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Preston 1982: French Letter became a New Zealand hit, spending 11 weeks on the charts 1984: Released first full album Long Ago, produced by Billy Kristian 1986: Former Be-Bop Deluxe member Charlie Tumahai joined the band 1986: Collaborated with Dave Dobbyn on Slice of Heaven, reaching #1 in New Zealand and Australia 1989: Played on Tim Finn’s Parihaka; worked with Annie Crummer on See What Love Can Do (1992) Late 1980s: Provided instrumentation for John Parker and recorded a reggae-funk version of the Māori folk song E Papa 1989: Joe Walsh (Eagles) collaborated on…
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