• 1985-

  Neil FinnVocals, guitar, keyboards1985-

  Paul HesterDrums, vocals1985-2005

  Nick SeymourBass1985-

  Tim FinnVocals, guitar1990-1991

  Mark HartGuitar1992-2016

  Mitchell FroomKeyboards2020-

  Liam FinnGuitar2020-

  Elroy FinnDrums2020-
• Neil Finn and Paul Hester started the band after their previous group, Split Enz, broke up in 1985. Split Enz, known for their zany visuals and catchy pop songs like "I Got You" and
  "History Never Repeats," formed in New Zealand but Hester, who joined later, is from Australia. The third original member of Crowded House, Nick Seymour, is also Australian.
• Bass player Nick Seymour does the cover art for all their albums.
• Originally calling themselves the Mullanes (from Neil's middle name, Mullane), the name Crowded House was coined while they were recording their first album in Los Angeles, where they shared a living in a tiny (crowded) bungalow.
• Their strongholds are Australia and New Zealand, but Crowded House has fans all over the world. They're more popular in Europe and Canada than in America, where their only big hits are "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong." Their American admirers include many music journalists and some high-profile musicians, including Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, and Sebastian Bach.
• Hester left the band a month before the end of their "Together Alone" tour in 1994. Two years later, after releasing their greatest hits compilation Recurring Dream, Neil Finn announced the breakup of the band. On November 24, 1996, their "Farewell To The World" concert at the Sydney Opera House drew about 100,000 fans. They reunited in 2006 and have been active sporadically since. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Jordan - North Bend, WA
• Nick Seymour's brother Mark was lead singer of the popular Australian band Hunters and Collectors for most of the '80s. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Jennie - Newcastle, Australia
• Four different Finns have played in Crowded House over the years. Neil's older brother, Tim, who started Split Enz, was in the lineup for their 1991 album Woodface and has guested with them on occasion. Neil's sons Liam and Elroy started playing with the band around 2008 and Liam often did double duty as an opening act when they resumed touring in 2021 after 11 years of only sporadic performances. Both Liam and Elroy are on their 2021 album Dreamers Are Waiting.
• Neil Finn's full name is Cornelius Mullane Finn, but he started calling himself Neil at an early age.
• Sheryl Crow's 1996 hit "Everyday Is A Winding Road" was inspired by Paul Hester and features Neil Finn on backing vocals. She was an opening act for Crowded House in 1994 when Hester abruptly split, telling Finn, "Every day is a winding road, mate."
• On March 26, 2005, Paul Hester's body was found in a local park, and it was reported that he had hanged himself. It is believed that he had been suffering from depression for a number of years. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Scott - Melbourne, Australia
• Neil Finn writes most of their songs, but during the brief time when his brother Tim was in the band, they shared songwriting duties. Tim was the main songwriter in Split Enz.
• When it comes to songwriting, Neil Finn is fundamentally focused on melody. He explained to Mojo magazine that he starts by writing "a few lines to capture a feeling, a character, or a sense of time and place. I follow that thread, but I'm primarily searching for words that naturally fit into the melody, even before their meaning becomes clear."

Comments: 5

• Marlow from Perthare currently reforming to do a tour around australia
  
• Dave from Canberra, AustraliaBoth Neil Finn and his brother Tim Finn tour togehter. They teamed up in Split Enz before this.
• Jo from Newcastle, AustraliaPaul Hester battled depression for years, and took his own life March 26 '05. It is an enormous loss.
• David from Uk, EnglandSad to hear about the death of Paul Hester.(Drummer)
  
  A great musician and was a very comical and fun loving guy .
  
  The music world have lost a gem
  
  dave
• Marlow from Perth, Australiatim finn was kicked out years and years ago
  

More Songfacts:

The Candy ManSammy Davis, Jr.

"The Candy Man" is the opening song in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, but the version released as a single was by Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. It was a #1 hit and became his signature song even though his audience was very adult.

Gives You HellThe All-American Rejects

The first US Top 10 hit with the word "hell" in the title was "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects in 2008.

Live Like You Were DyingTim McGraw

Tim McGraw recorded "Live Like You Were Dying" just two weeks after his own father passed away.

AdornMiguel

Miguel wrote "Adorn" about his girlfriend, the model and artist Nazanin Mandi, when he was returning home from a long trip and was anxious to see her.

The JokerSteve Miller Band

The "pompatus of love" from the Steve Miller song "The Joker" comes from a line in a '50s doo-wop song Miller misheard: "puppetutes of love."

Suddenly I SeeKT Tunstall

KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" was inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe's photograph of Patti Smith on the cover of her album Horses.

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."