Biography.guide
Home β€Ί People β€Ί Percussionist β€Ί Noel Crombie
Portrait of Noel Crombie

Noel Crombie

b. 1953

New Zealand percussionist

Don't just read it β€” keep itBiographies to ownE-book Β· Audio Β· Video From $7 β†’

About Noel Crombie

Born 1953. Noel Crombie is a New Zealand percussionist.

Geoffrey Noel Crombie (born 17 April 1953) is a New Zealand percussionist and member of the band Split Enz. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, singer, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior to Split Enz, Crombie worked as a postal assistant and was also an artist. He attended Mana College and then moved to Auckland to study art at Elam School of Fine Arts.

For the album Time and Tide, Crombie took over the role of drummer, though a year later returned to percussion, with Paul Hester becoming Split Enz's drummer. He is particularly remembered for playing spoon solos during Split Enz live shows.

After Split Enz disbanded, Noel formed the band Schnell Fenster with Phil Judd, Eddie Rayner and Nigel Griggs (all Split Enz alumni), and Michael den Elzen. Rayner left before the first album was released.

In 1988 the members of Schnell Fenster collaborated with Wendy Matthews, Michael Harris, Louis McManus, Vika Bull and Lisa Edwards under the name 'Noel's Cowards' for the movie Rikky and Pete.

Crombie has released one solo single, "My Voice Keeps Changing on Me", in 1983 while Split Enz took a break. Tim Finn was the only other band member to have a solo release during this break. According to Crombie he had to either release the single or pay for the studio time.

In 1996, Crombie assisted Crowded House by designing the stage set design for their final concert, Farewell to the World at the Sydney Opera House.

Crombie lives with his wife Sally whom he works with as a freelance designer. They designed the set for ABC-TV's musical quiz program Spicks and Specks.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it β€”
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop β€” from $7

Instant download Β· yours to keep Β· every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Mana College
Also known as
Geoffrey Noel Crombie

People in Noel Crombie's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Noel Crombie's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Noel Crombie?

New Zealand percussionist

When was Noel Crombie born?

Noel Crombie was born on 17 April 1953 in Wellington.

What is Noel Crombie's occupation?

Noel Crombie is a percussionist.

What nationality is Noel Crombie?

Noel Crombie is New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

Β· Wikipedia: Noel Crombie

Β· Wikidata: Q7046906

Β· DBpedia: Noel Crombie

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Noel Crombie. https://biography.guide/noel-crombie/

MLA: "Noel Crombie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/noel-crombie/.

Chicago: "Noel Crombie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/noel-crombie/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons Β· author & licence

Page generated 2026-09-27 04:59 UTC