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Space Waltz

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Space Waltz
OriginAuckland, New Zealand
Genres
Years active1974–1975; 2023
Labels
Past members

Space Waltz are a New Zealand glam rock band formed in 1974 by frontman Alastair Riddell. In 1974, they had a number-one hit in New Zealand with "Out on the Street".

Career

In 1974, Alastair Riddell (vocals/guitar), Greg Clark (guitar), Eddie Rayner (keyboards), Peter Cuddihy (bass), and Brent Eccles (drums) had been performing as a covers band named Stewart and the Belmonts. Seeking to record Riddell's original compositions, they entered the television talent quest New Faces under the name Space Waltz. In the qualifying round they performed "Out on the Street"; in the finals, "Beautiful Boy", creating a stir with Riddell's "androgynous" image (influenced by David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust).[1] Although Space Waltz did not win the final, they attracted attention from rock fans and were promptly signed up by EMI Records, who released "Out on the Street" as a single.[2] The song reached number 1 on the New Zealand charts.[3][4]

Eddie Rayner (left) and Alastair Riddell in 2023.

In 1975 the band's debut album was released, entitled Space Waltz by Alastair Riddell, creating some confusion among the public as to whether Space Waltz was a group or a Riddell solo project.[1] The album, which featured backing vocals by The Yandall Sisters, made the New Zealand Top 20, with the second single, "Fraulein Love" reaching the Top 30.[b] Space Waltz won Best New Artist at the 1975 Recording Arts Talent Awards.[7]

The group subsequently flew to Australia but were unable to finalise a record deal there, and disbanded shortly afterwards. Riddell pursued a solo career, Rayner joined Split Enz, and Clark and Eccles joined Citizen Band.

In 2023, the band reunited for the release of a second album, Victory, which featured a blend of new songs together with re-recordings of selected tracks from their first album.[8]

Discography

Singles
Title Year
"Out on the Street" / "Angel" 1974
"Fraulein Love" / "Scars Of Love" 1975
Albums
Title Year Notes
Space Waltz by Alastair Riddell 1975 Reissued on CD in 2002[9] and 2023.[10]
Victory 2023

Notes

  1. ^ Split Enz bassist Mike Chunn temporarily stood in when Peter Cuddihy was unavailable for a national tour. Chunn also featured in the band's second appearance on television's New Faces.
  2. ^ Chapman states the album and "Fraulein Love" peaked at number 14 and 20, respectively,[1] while other sources give chart positions of 15 and 27.[5][6] New Zealand had established a new music chart system in April 1975, which may account for the differing figures.

References

  1. ^ a b c Chapman, Ian (2023). Alastair Riddell's Space Waltz. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781501389511.
  2. ^ "Out on the Street - Space Waltz". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. ^ Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop By Bob Stanley 30 It Came from the Suburbs: Marc Bolan and David Bowie
  4. ^ New Zealand Music Commission, Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa Alastair Riddell Releases New Single
  5. ^ "Space Waltz - Fraulein Love". Charts.NZ. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Alastair Riddell - Space Waltz". Charts.NZ. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Best New Artist 1975". Aotearoa Music Awards. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Space Waltz return after almost 50 years with album 'Victory'". RNZ. 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ Reid, Graham (31 May 2002). "Space Waltz". NZ Herald.
  10. ^ "Alastair Riddell - Space Waltz". Discogs.com. 1975. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
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