Mahia Blackmore (2 January 1949 – 31 May 2021) was a New Zealand singer and bandleader who got her start as a singer in the 1960s. She was referred to as New Zealand's own queen of rhythm and blues. She was also part of the Billy TK band Powerhouse. She was profiled on Whenua, a radio show presented by Hēnare te Ua on numerous occasions.

Background The eldest of five children, she was born Mahia Carole Blackmore in Palmerston North, on 2 January 1949. She grew up with music, surrounded by it at home, at school and in the community at the marae. Her father was involved in music. In the 1940s, he was a member of Kapiti vocal group, the Te Whare Quintet.Audio Culture, 23 September 2014 Mahia Blackmore Profile, by John Dix.

In addition to being referred to as New Zealand's blues queen, or queen of rhythm and blues,Staysouth.com, 16 September 2013 Queenstown Jazz and Blues Festival 2013buzz in town, 3 February 2010 Waiheke Wine and Food Festival, AucklandThe Culture Trip Celebrating Aotearoa: New Zealand's Top Events and Festivals in Spring 2013 she has been referred to as the New Zealand equivalent of Ma Rainey.Artist Trove Mahia Blackmore, Paradise Band

Career

1970s In the early 1970s, she had a single released on the Tony McCarthy Recordings label,National Library of New Zealand The long road (sound recording) / Lambert & Porter; (performed by) Mahia Blackmore. I need you / T. McCarthy; (performed by) Mahia Blackmore a label that captured the early recordings of Deane Waretini, and the only recordings of Abe Phillips of the Shadracks.Hawkes Bay Today, Saturday 17 December 2011 The magic of Abe By Dave Turnbull and Roger MoroneyThe New Zealand Archive of Film, Television, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 51886 45rpm – NTK Abe Phillips Her single with the catalogue no TM1 was the first release for the label. The A side "The Long Road" was written by Lambert & Porter. The B side "Need You" was written By Tony McCarthy. Both sides were produced by him as well.45cat Record Details, Catalogue: TM 1National Library of New Zealand The long road (sound recording) / Lambert & Porter; (performed by) Mahia Blackmore. I need you / T. McCarthy; (performed by) Mahia Blackmore Also during the early 1970 period, she was a member of powerhouse, a band that was put together by guitarist Billy TK.Ready to Fly by David Eggleton Page 47Ready to Fly by David Eggleton Page 141

1980s–1990s In the 1980s while fronting her band Meg and the Fones, she had a hit with "Little Tui" which she composed. It won the APRA Song of the Year award.Amplifier Hip-Hop > Cushy Numbers

She provided backing vocals on the Maori Songs album by Kiri Te Kanawa. The album, released in 1999, released on the EMI Classics label was sung entirely in Maori and included songs such as "Hoki Hoki Tonu Mai", Hine E Hine", and "Pokarekare Ana".ArkivMusic – The Source for Classical Music! Maori Songs / Kiri Te Kanawa

2000s In February 2010, she was to appear at the Waiheke Wine and Food Festival, Auckland as part of Billy TK's Powerhouse.buzz in town, 3 February 2010 Waiheke Wine and Food Festival, Auckland In May 2011, she was set to go to Fiji to perform and then later that year in November, Samoa.Blues Festival E Guide, 13 May 2011 NEW ZEALAND'S QUEEN OF BLUES OFF TO FIJIAN FESTIVAL In early 2012, she was fronting the Paradise band which was due to appear at the Flaxmere Family Festival.Scoop Independent News, Monday, 23 January 2012 Hunt begins for new talent for Flaxmere Festival In 2013, she was booked for the Queenstown Jazz and Blues Festival, an event that takes place over a period of four days, during the labor weekend, 24–27 October in Queenstown.Scoop, Thursday, 3 October 2013 Renee Geyer to Headline Queenstown Jazz and Blues Festival

Solo

Singles "The Long Road" / "I Need You" – Tony McCarthy Recordings TM1The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision 45rpm – Catalogue → 51909, NTK Mahia Blackmore "Little Tui" / "Lifeboat" – Ode ODE 744New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 19953, Mahia Blackmore

EP / mini-album Meg And The Fones – Meg Was Here – Ode SODEP 252 – (1986)Discogs Meg And The Fones – Meg Was Here

Appearances Various artists – Pacific Messages Ode Recordings SODE239 – 1986The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 51699 – NTK Pacific MessagesWorldCat Pacific messages Shona Laing – South – TVT Records TVT 2470 (CD) – 1988Discogs Shona Laing – South Kiri Te Kanawa – Maori Songs – EMI Classics: 7243 5 56828 2 6 – 1999Stanford University Libraries Maori songs (electronic resource)

Radio Profiling New Zealand Music, Introduced by Alan Beck – 29 October 1990 – Song: "Pacific Messages"The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 22886, Profiling New Zealand Music Sunday Series 1. Programme 26 – 1995 – Blackmore is interviewed about her first acting role as the Blues Singer Ma Rainey.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → F25457, Sunday Series 1. Programme 26 Whenua, 25/05/97 (Part 2 of 2) – Presented by Hēnare te Ua and Libby Hakaraia from the Radio New Zealand Studios, Auckland, on National Radio. – Mahia Blackmore interviewed.The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 52421 Whenua. 25/05/97 (Part 2 of 2) Whenua, Sunday 18/07/99 – Music: Mahia Blackmore & The Rhythm Mamas – "My Imagination"The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 52848, Whenua. 18/07/99 Sunday 5 to 6pm Whenua – Thursday 14/10/99 – Presented by Hēnare te Ua on National Radio – from the RNZ Studios, Auckland – Song: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 52926 Whenua. 14/10/99 Thursday

External links Mahia Blackmore Profile, Audioculture

References