Will Crummer

Will Crummer is a Cook Islands singer and entertainer who was well known in the 1960s in both Auckland, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. He released EPs and albums during the 1960s, and along with Pepe and the Rarotongans, was a pioneering Cook Islands artist. His is also the father of singer Annie Crummer.

Background In his teens, Crummer climbed coconut trees in his village to sing songs he had heard on the radio, including songs by Pat Boone and Nat King Cole. He moved to New Zealand in the early 1960s to work as a concreter, a job his brother had arranged for him.

Crummer became well known in Auckland during the 1960s when the Polynesian music scene was popular. The band he became known for fronting was Will Crummer and the Royal Rarotongans, performing at venues such as The Orange Ballroom and The Reefcomber.

He made some recordings in Auckland, his EP Rarotonga in 1962 and Cook Islands Magic the following year. He also released Romantic Rarotonga and Love Songs of Polynesia.

In 1968, Viking Records issued the compilation Action Rarotonga!, which featured his group, Will Crummer and The Royal Rarotongans, as well as Pepe and The Rarotongans.

Crummer performed in Tahiti, and Hawaii where he was offered a residency by a Hawaiian promoter. After performing there for a time, he broke his contract for personal reasons and headed back to New Zealand where he found work in warehousing. According to his daughter Annie, he gave up music to raise his family.

Later years In 2011, Ode Records released his album Shoebox Lovesongs. Produced by Nick Bollinger and Arthur Baysting, it features his old friend Dinky Ngatipa and a string arrangement by Don McGlashan. Daughter Annie and The Yandall Sisters also feature on the album.

On Saturday, 25 January 2015, Crummer and his band, Will Crummer and the Rarotongans performed aboard HMNZS Otago to an audience of around 10,000. His daughter Annie was also at the event.

Discography

+ Single Act Title Release info Year Notes A) Loma avec l'orchestre Hotel TahitiB) Will Crummer and the Seastars "Pua'a Choux""Omai Na To Rima" Tahiti Records 190

+ EP Act Title Release info Year Notes Will Crummer and the Sea Stars Romantic Rarotonga Viking VE 114 Will Crummer and the Seastars Rarotonga Viking VE 118 1962 + LP Act Title Release info Year Notes Will Crummer and the Seastars Cook Islands Magic Viking VP 94 LP Will Crummer and the Royal Rarotongans Love songs of Polynesia Viking VP 110 1963 LP Eddie Lund and His Tahitians and Will Crummer and the "Seastars"* Tahiti Meets Manihiki Tahiti Records EL 1015 LP Will Crummer and the Royal RarotongansPepe and the Rarotongans Action Rarotonga Viking VP 251 LP Will Crummer Shoebox Love Songs Ode CDMANU5113 2011 CD

+ Various artist compilations Title Release info Year Notes Music of the South Seas! A Visit to Tahiti, New Zealand, Rarotonga World Records ST889 Will Crummer and The Royal Rarotongans songs: "Sinsano","Tu Takariki", "Rarotonga"