Deane Waretini

Deane Waretini (born c. 1946) is a musician from New Zealand. He had a #1 chart hit in 1981 with the song "The Bridge", a Māori language song set to Nini Rosso's tune "Il Silenzio". He is also the son of a historically significant Maori baritone singer and recording artist. In later years, Waretini was featured in a New Zealand television production that was built around him.

Background He was born Adrian Waretini in Rotorua in 1946, the youngest son of famed Maori singer Deane Waretini Snr. Waretini really only found out about his father's singing when he was aged about 12. It wasn't until years later that he knew about his father having recorded on to record. To him, his father just worked as a laborer and would sing lullabies. Music wasn't really a big thing in their home in Horohoro. By the time he was in his late teens he had moved from Rotorua to Christchurch and was working as a labourer. It was in 1967 that his father died. Young Waretini was 21 at this time. It wasn't until about two years after his father's death that he would actually get to hold one of his records in his hands. The debut single was released on the Tony McCarthy Recordings label, a small label that previously had released a recording by Mahia Blackmore.

In June 1973, he entered a contest to pick the song for the 1974 Commonwealth Games. The song "Baby I'm Leaving" was a Mark Anthony composition. Other artists in the competition were The Rumour with "Quiet Song", an Anderson & Wise composition, and "Join Together", by Steve Allen. Allen's song was the winner. In an earlier heat, another singer with the same surname, Andy Waretini had entered with the song "Last Year's Summer".

"The Bridge" The Bridge was originally self-released before CBS picked it up. After that it became the first no 1 song to be sung in Maori language. It stayed at the top of the charts for two weeks.

For his efforts he received $27,000 from CBS and surrendered the rights to the song.

Post "The Bridge" In 1981, along with Ken Kincaid, the Lightwood family, and Rhonda, he appeared on the Mauri Hikitia album, which was in support of the Mt. Smart Stadium project. In 1984, he released the single "Te ariki, Oh Lord". An article about the single called "Deane needs a hit to bridge over his debts" appeared in the 22 February edition of the Auckland Star.

In 2012, Waretini was the subject of a seven-part television series called Now is the Hour, shown on Maori television. Also in 2012, his album Now is the Hour spent 2 weeks in the New Zealand charts and peaked at no 25.

Song For Anna At some stage he recorded a song called "Song For Anna", which was a tribute to victims of domestic violence who have died as a result of the act.

Discography + Singles Title Release info Year Notes "Trouble In My Life" / "The Long Road" Tony McCarthy Recordings tm 4 1972 "Melody Butterfly" / "Trouble In My Life" Tony McCarthy Recordings tm 6 1973 "The Bridge / "Luckenback Texas" Innovation INN 009 1980 Produced by Allan Witana "The Bridge" / "Luckenback Texas" CBS BA 222767 1980 "Growing Old" / "All Those Nights" CBS BA 222721 1980 "Ethos" / "Po Ata Rau" CBS BA 222800 1981 "Hope" / "Rock And Roll Days" CBS BA 222 942 1982 Produced by Kevin FureyMusical direction by Stanley Jackson "Te Ariki" (Oh Lord) / "Rock 'N' Roll Days" RCA Victor 104267 1984 Arranged by James Tawhi "Tarawera eruption 86" / "Born Free" Parker's Music World PMW 1016 1986 Side 1 with Putiputi Tonihi "Te Tangi Ote Maori" / "Thoughts" Mauri DW 1 Credited to Treasures with Deane Waretini

+ Albums Title Release info Year F Notes Waretini CBS SBP 237634 1981 LP The Yandall Sisters background vocals Waretini and Friends 200? CD Self-released Now is the Hour Ode Records CD MANU 5145 2012 CD Distributed by DRM

+ Various artist compilation appearances Title Release info Year Track(s) F Notes The Mauri Hikitia Epic ELPS 4192 (CBS) 1981 "Now Is The Hour" (trad), "All Those Nights","Growing Old" LP 25 Years Of Kiwi Pop EMI 435040 2 1990 "The Bridge" CD Rucks, Tries & Choruses EMI 50999 6790752 6 2011 "Rugby World Cup" CD Ten Guitars Universal Music 2009 "The Bridge" CD Waiata : Maori Showbands, Balladeers & Pop Stars His Master's Voice – 50999 6802952EMI – 50999 6802952 4 2011 "The Bridge"(Unreleased Alternative Version) CD Pohutukawas & Pavlova (60 Years of Kiwi Christmas Songs) Frenzy Music 2012 "A Merry Christmas" CD Nature's Best: 40 NZ Number Ones, 1970–2013 Sony 02239 2013 "The Bridge" CD Aotearoa: The Very Best Of Our Music Sony 2014 "The Bridge" CD Appears on DISC RUA 1975–1993 Waiata 2 Maori Showbands, Balladeers & Pop Stars EMI 2013 "The Wonder Of You" CD Appears on Disc 1

Television + List Title Role Director / Producer Year Notes # New Faces Himself c 1972 Now is the Hour, Episode 1 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 2 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 3 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 4 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 5 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 6 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012 Now is the Hour, Episode 7 Himself Megan Douglas (prod.) 2012