Hore Wiremu "Gugi" Waaka (1 August 1937 – 5 July 2014), also known as Gugi Walker, was a New Zealand musical entertainer. A guitarist and singer, he was a founding member of the Quin Tikis and the Maori Volcanics Showband.
Gugi Waaka | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Hore Wiremu Waaka |
| Born | 1 August 1937 Whakatāne, New Zealand |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Died | 5 July 2014 (aged 76) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Māori show band |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1960–2014 |
Biography
editOf Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Pūkeko descent, Waaka was born on 1 August 1937.[1][2] He grew up at Poroporo, near Whakatāne.[1]
After serving in the air force in the late 1950s, Waaka began his show business career[3] and was a founding member of the Quin Tikis.[4] Moving to Australia, he formed in the Polynesian Trio with his brother and sister-in-law, Nuki and Mahora Waaka, in 1961.[5][6] The trio then joined with Matti Kemp, John Clarke and Hector Epae,[7] forming the Maori Volcanics Showband in 1964.[6] Waaka left the band after a few months following a minor disagreement with Nuki.[4]
Waaka was a member of a number of other show bands, including the Maori Premiers and the New Zealand Impacts Showband, and formed the eponymous Gugi Walker Quartet.[citation needed]
Between 2002 and 2007 Waaka performed at the annual Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards, providing post-awards entertainment.[1]
Following his death from heart problems on 5 July 2014, Waaka's body lay in state at Papakura Marae.[2][3]
References
edit- ^ a b c "He aitua Maori Sports Awards loses a great friend and music legend". Māori Sports Awards. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Death search: registration number 2014/16183". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Showband veteran Gugi Waaka dies". Waatea News. 7 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ a b Peters, Mahora; George, James (2005). Showband!: Mahora and the Māori Volcanics. Wellington: Huia. p. 66. ISBN 1-86969-159-8.
- ^ Barton, Warren (6 June 1997). "Volcanics set for blast from past". The Dominion. p. 9.
- ^ a b Huata, Tama (December 2011). "Farewell to one of our icons". Waiata Magazine (2): 2. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ^ Peters, Mahora; George, James (2005). Showband!: Mahora and the Māori Volcanics. Wellington: Huia. p. 59. ISBN 1-86969-159-8.