Lesbian Topp Twins inducted into Hall of Fame
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The hilarious and talented Topp Twin’s, who play Camp Mother and Camp Leader in their show, were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at last night’s APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Auckland. Jools and Lynda Topp, who’s induction makes the third in the Hall of Fame history, follow Jordan Luck and Johnny Devlin, who were inducted last year. The award was introduced by APRA director Ant Healey, who outlined their career, which has included busking, and a comedic and protesting history, also saying that New Zealanders, whatever their politics, fell in love with them. Whilst Healey described the twins as perhaps the most unlikely stars in New Zealand music history - “two yodelling lesbians from Huntly”, Prime Minister Helen Clark described the twins as “truly authentic Kiwi girls”. Prime Minister Clark also paid tribute to the late Maori lesbian singer/songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker, honoured at the show’s opening, saying “Mahinarangi Tocker, so tragically taken from us - and so talented. I acknowledge and esteem her.” An emotional tribute to Tocker was featured and her song “Forever”, featuring a string quartet, a school choir and the singers Shona Laing and Hinewehi Mohi was performed. Two screens were operating, showing images of Tocker with her fist raised in the air as she was performing at WOMAD guarded the stage. The piece ended to a standing ovation from the audience, some wiping away tears. Out and proud lesbian musician Anika Moa was a finalist in the Silver Scroll Awards for her lovestruck tune “Dreams in My Head”, second only to Opshop for “One Day”. More info
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