Topp Twins

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Topp Twins
Jools and Lynda Topp at a screening of Untouchable Girls in September 2009
Background information
Origin	New Zealand
Genres	Comedy, country, folk, yodeling
Years active	1981–present
Members
Jools Topp Lynda Topp

The Topp Twins (b. 1958, Huntly, New Zealand^[1]) are the folk singing sister comedy duo of New Zealand entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp.

They are known for their country music influenced style, live shows and television performances. They are openly lesbian^[2]. They often perform as characters, the most notable being the cross-dressing "Ken and Ken", and "Camp Mother and Camp Leader".

The Topp Twins have performed as a country music-singing comedy duo for more than 25 years. In the late 1990s, they created their own TV series, which ran for three seasons and showcased their iconic cast of Kiwi characters, including Camp Mother, the Bowling Ladies and cross-dressing Ken and Ken. The series won the twins several awards at the NZ Film and TV Awards and screened on the ABC and Foxtel in Australia.

Their feature film Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley, was released in April 2009. It broke all previous records for opening day, and opening weekend, for a NZ documentary. After just four weeks at the box office, it made over $1 million. The movie was produced by Arani Cuthbert.

Contents 1 Breast cancer 2 Hall of Fame 3 Discography 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Breast cancer

Jools Topp was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006 at the age of 48. Originally examined by a physician in January 2006, nothing was done as it was not detected by a mammogram. Topp was diagnosed seven months later when the breast cancer showed up with an ultrasound exam. She recovered well after receiving a mastectomy in October 2006 and several months of chemotherapy.

She and her sister Lynda were already breast cancer activists and will continue to use their celebrity to educate the public about the disease.

[edit] Hall of Fame

The Topp Twins were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Auckland in September 2008. This award was given as a lifetime achievement award for songwriting, and the fact that their songs and music have had an impact on New Zealand culture during their careers which span more than 25 years.

[edit] Discography

• Topp Twins Go Vinyl (1982) Vinyl record
• Two tracks on Out of the corners (Web Women's Collective,1982)
• Twinset and Pearls (1984) Vinyl Record
• " No War in my Heart" (1986) cassette
• " Wear Something Sexy" (1990) cassette EP
• " Hightime" (1992) cassette
• Two Timing (1994) CD
• Grass Highway (2000) CD
• Flowergirls & Cowgirls (2005) CD
• Honky Tonk Angel (2009) CD

[edit] External links

• Official Homepage
• Topp Twins TV show on NZ On Screen.
• A Biography of Jools Topp and Lynda Topp as well as an episode of Ken's Hunting and Fishing Show can also be found on NZ On Screen. (Adobe Flash required).

[edit] References