# Wa Wa Nee

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**Wa Wa Nee** was an Australian [funk](/source/Funk), [new wave](/source/New_wave_music), and [synthpop](/source/Synthpop) band active from 1982 to 1989. Formed in Sydney by singer/songwriter [Paul Gray](/source/Paul_Gray_(songwriter)) and guitarist Steve Williams, the band achieved significant commercial success in Australia with their debut single "[Stimulation](/source/Stimulation_(song))" (1986), which peaked at number 2. Their self-titled debut album *[Wa Wa Nee](/source/Wa_Wa_Nee_(album))* (1986) was certified Platinum by [ARIA](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). The band also reached international audiences when "[Sugar Free](/source/Sugar_Free_(Wa_Wa_Nee_song))" peaked at number 35 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) in the United States. Their second album, *[Blush](/source/Blush_(Wa_Wa_Nee_album))*, was released in 1989, after which the group disbanded. The band received multiple nominations at the [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_1987) and the Countdown Australian Music Awards. Paul Gray, the band's lead singer, died on 24 April 2018.

## Career

Singer/songwriter [Paul Gray](/source/Paul_Gray_(songwriter)) and guitarist Steve Williams formed the band in 1982. They were joined by Geoff Lundren (bass), Elizabeth Lord (keyboards, backing vocals) and Chris Sweeney (drums) and signed with [CBS Records](/source/CBS_Records_International) in 1985. Mark Gray, Paul's brother,[1] and Phil Witchett joined the group soon after and their debut single "[Stimulation](/source/Stimulation_(song))" was released in April 1986. The song peaked at number 2 in Australia.[2] "[I Could Make You Love Me](/source/I_Could_Make_You_Love_Me)" was released in August 1986 and peaked at number 5.[2] In November 1986, Wa Wa Nee released their debut self-titled album which peaked at number 29 in Australia.[2] Two more singles were released from the album, "[Sugar Free](/source/Sugar_Free_(Wa_Wa_Nee_song))" in December 1986 gave the band a third Australian Top 10 hit, and "[One and One (Ain't I Good Enough)](/source/One_and_One_(Ain't_I_Good_Enough))" in April 1987 which peaked inside the Top 20. "Sugar Free" was released in the [United States](/source/United_States) in July 1987 and peaked at number 35 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100).[3] The song featured in the film, *[Cassandra](/source/Cassandra_(film))*. "Stimulation" was released as the follow-up single where it peaked at number 86. It was featured in the film *[Satisfaction](/source/Satisfaction_(1988_film))*. In 1987, a remix album, titled *[Ulta Mixes](/source/Ulta_Mixes)* was released.

During the recording of the second studio album in 1988, keyboardist Phil Witchett died. In November 1988, "[Can't Control Myself](/source/Can't_Control_Myself_(Wa_Wa_Nee_song))" was released as the lead single from the band's second studio album. The song peaked at number 31. Their second studio album, *[Blush](/source/Blush_(Wa_Wa_Nee_album))* was released in May 1989, and included two more hit singles, "[So Good](/source/So_Good_(Wa_Wa_Nee_song))" and "[I Want You](/source/I_Want_You_(Wa_Wa_Nee_song))". However, the album's commercial performance was disappointing, and the group disbanded later in 1989.

### Later works

After the dissolution of Wa Wa Nee, bassist Mark Gray went on to work with Tania Bowra Band, with [James Reyne](/source/James_Reyne) and [Indecent Obsession](/source/Indecent_Obsession).

After Wa Wa Nee, Steve Williams was asked by [Paul Christie](/source/Paul_Christie_(musician)) to join [The Party Boys](/source/The_Party_Boys) performing on the single '[Do Wah Diddy](/source/Do_Wah_Diddy_Diddy)'. Williams toured in [James Freud](/source/James_Freud)'s band and with [Richard Clapton](/source/Richard_Clapton). Williams moved to Europe and soon found a new passion, teaching music. After returning to Australia, he was sought after, performing with the likes of [Swanee](/source/Swanee_(singer)), [Ray Parker Jr](/source/Ray_Parker_Jr.), [Real Life](/source/Real_Life_(band)), [Lee Kernaghan](/source/Lee_Kernaghan), and [Brian Cadd](/source/Brian_Cadd). Williams soon became a long time member of Australian [Led Zeppelin](/source/Led_Zeppelin) band Zep Boys and a mainstay in [Choirboys](/source/The_Choirboys_(band)) with [Mark Gable](/source/Mark_Gable). In 2006, he worked with the [Adelaide Symphony Orchestra](/source/Adelaide_Symphony_Orchestra) (ASO) and in 2008 accompanied the ASO and [Deep Purple](/source/Deep_Purple)'s [Jon Lord](/source/Jon_Lord) for an Australian tour. He has also been invited to perform for Australian touring musical productions of [The Rocky Horror Picture Show](/source/The_Rocky_Horror_Picture_Show), [The Man from Snowy River](/source/The_Man_from_Snowy_River:_Arena_Spectacular_(film)), [Singin In The Rain](/source/Singin'_in_the_Rain_(musical)) and [Elvis The Musical](/source/Elvis._The_Musical).[4] He currently tours with Matt Finish and is a member of Absolutely 80s featuring [Brian Mannix](/source/Brian_Mannix) (Uncanny X-Men), [Ally Fowler](/source/Ally_Fowler) (Chantoozies) and many others. In 2022, Williams was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.[5]

[Paul Gray](/source/Paul_Gray_(songwriter)) worked with [Deni Hines](/source/Deni_Hines), [CDB](/source/CDB_(band)), [Kate Ceberano](/source/Kate_Ceberano), [Tina Arena](/source/Tina_Arena) and [Bardot](/source/Bardot_(Australian_band)) as a [keyboard](/source/Keyboard_instrument) player, [musical director](/source/Musical_director), songwriter and producer.[6] He appeared in the [Countdown Spectacular](/source/Countdown_Spectacular) 2 concert series in Australia between late August and early September 2007 as a performer and musical director. He sang two songs: "Stimulation" and "Sugar Free". He also appeared with 80s Enuff and Idols of the 80s. He performed Wa Wa Nee hits on 28 March 2010, at a fundraiser for the children of Jenin, a devastated area of the [West Bank](/source/West_Bank), [Palestine](/source/Palestinian_territories). All funds went directly to the building of a pre-school in the area. He performed at local music venues in Melbourne in 2010, with fellow 1980s hitmakers, Scott Carne ([Kids in the Kitchen](/source/Kids_in_the_Kitchen)) and Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men). Paul Gray supported [Belinda Carlisle](/source/Belinda_Carlisle) on some dates of her 2011 Australian Tour. Wa Wa Nee also supported [Rick Astley](/source/Rick_Astley) during his 2012 and 2014 tour of Australia.

Paul Gray died of [multiple myeloma](/source/Multiple_myeloma) on 24 April 2018, aged 54.[7] The news was announced by his brother and fellow band member, Mark.[1]

In 2023, Steve Williams launched a new band celebrating the songs of Wa Wa Nee, *Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee*.[8][9]

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications AUS [2] US [10] Wa Wa Nee Released: 3 November 1986[11] Label: CBS Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray, Chris Cameron 29 123 ARIA: Platinum[12] Blush Released: 8 May 1989[13] Label: CBS Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray, Robyn Smith 32 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that country.

### Remix and compilation albums

List of remix and compilation albums, with selected details Title Details Ulta Mixes Released: 1987 Label: CBS Producer: Jim Taig, Paul Gray Remix album The Essential Wa Wa Nee Released: 15 October 2010 Label: Sony Music Australia Greatest hits album

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Peak chart positions Album AUS [2] NZ [14] US [3] "Stimulation" 1986 2 11 86 Wa Wa Nee "I Could Make You Love Me" 5 — — "Sugar Free" 10 — 35 "One and One (Ain't I Good Enough)" 1987 19 — — "Can't Control Myself" 1988 31 — — Blush "So Good" 1989 36 — — "I Want You" 52 — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

## Awards and nominations

### ARIA Music Awards

The [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards) is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [Australian music](/source/Australian_music). They commenced in 1987.

|- | rowspan="4" | [1987](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_1987) | "Stimulation" | [Highest Selling Single](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Highest_Selling_Single) | |- | themselves | [Best New Talent](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_New_Talent) | |- | Paul Gray – Wa Wa Nee ("Stimulation", "I Could Make You Love Me") | Best Songwriter | |- | Jim Tait for *Wa Wa Nee* by Wa Wa Nee | [Engineer of the Year](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Engineer_of_the_Year) |

### Countdown Australian Music Awards

*[Countdown](/source/Countdown_(Australian_TV_series))* was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcaster [ABC-TV](/source/ABC_Television_(Australian_TV_network)) from 1974 to 1987, it presented music awards from 1979 to 1987, initially in conjunction with magazine *[TV Week](/source/TV_Week)*. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[15]

|- | rowspan="4" |1986 | *Wa Wa Nee* | Best Debut Album | |- | "Stimulation" | Best Debut Single | |- | rowspan="2" | themselves | Best Debut Act | |- | Most Popular Australian Group |

## See also

- [Wa Wa Nee Official Website](https://wawanee.com.au)
- [List of 1980s one-hit wonders in the United States](/source/List_of_1980s_one-hit_wonders_in_the_United_States)

## References

1. ["Australian singer Paul Gray of Wa Wa Nee dies aged 54"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-25/australian-singer-paul-gray-dead-at-54/9696066). *abc.net.au*. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2022.

1. Australian chart peaks: *Top 100 ([Kent Music Report](/source/Kent_Music_Report)) peaks to 12 June 1988: Kent, David (1993). *Australian Chart Book 1970–1992*. Illustrated ed. Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 331. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988. *Top 50 ([ARIA](/source/ARIA_Charts)) peaks from 13 June 1988: ["australian-charts.com > Wa Wa Nee discography"](https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Wa+Wa+Nee). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-04-17. *"I Want You" (ARIA) peak: Scott, Gavin. ["This Week in 1989: May 28, 1989"](https://www.chartbeats.com.au/post/28may1989). Chart Beats: A Journey Through Pop. Retrieved 17 November 2020.

1. ["Billboard > Wa Wa Nee Chart History > Hot 100"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/wa-wa-nee/chart-history/hsi/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 29 November 2019.

1. ["Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee"](https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/e7701604-5c21-4995-ac76-2c37152af4ab). *tickets.oztix.com.au*. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

1. ["About"](https://52.64.219.77/about/). *Wa Wa Nee Official Website*. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

1. ["Wa Wa Nee"](http://rqsretrouniverse.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Wa%20Wa%20Nee). Retro Universe. Retrieved 2017-03-05.

1. ["Lead Wa Wa Nee singer Paul Gray dies"](https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/04/25/11/09/paul-gray-wa-wa-nee-signer-dies-cancer). nine.com.au. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-25.

1. ["Steve Williams Plays Wa Wa Nee"](https://www.facebook.com/SteveWilliamsWaWaNee). *www.facebook.com*. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

1. ["Tour Dates"](https://52.64.219.77/tour-dates/). *Wa Wa Nee Official Website*. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

1. ["Billboard > Wa Wa Nee Chart History > Hot 100"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/wa-wa-nee/chart-history/tlp/). *Billboard*. Retrieved 29 November 2019.

1. ["Kent Music Report No 642 – 3 November 1986 > LP & Tape: New Releases"](https://i.imgur.com/69HjNp9.png). Retrieved 2018-04-26. – via Imgur.com (original document published by [Kent Music Report](/source/Kent_Music_Report))

1. ["Absolute 80s"](https://www.popshop.com.au/_docs/Absolutely80s.pdf). *www.popshop.com.au*. Retrieved 24 July 2021.

1. ["Platterlog: LP & Tape – New Releases > 8 May 1989"](https://i.imgur.com/JgMEBZp.png). Retrieved 2018-04-26. – via Imgur.com (original document published by Platterlog)

1. ["charts.nz > Wa Wa Nee in New Zealand Charts"](https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Wa+Wa+Nee). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2019-04-17.

1. ["Countdown to the Awards"](http://www.countdownmemories.com/magazines/pdfs/1987_03.pdf) ([Portable document format](/source/Portable_document_format) (PDF)). *Countdown Magazine*. [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) (ABC). March 1987. Retrieved 16 December 2010.

## External links

- [ Wa Wa Nee] at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wa Wa Nee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wa_Wa_Nee) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wa_Wa_Nee?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.