From Small-Town Kids to Global Icons: The Untold Story of the Finn Brothers

In celebration of the Music Month of May, this article covers the early lives of the iconic Finn brothers, the family musical duo who would separately go on to form the internationally known bands, Split Enz and later Crowded House.  

It all began in the rural Waikato town of Te Awamutu, where parents Richard and Mary Finn, raised the brothers with sisters Carolyn and Judy. The boys recall an idyllic small-town childhood, with calf club days, Sunday Catholic Church services, Mt Maunganui beach trips, and playing in the family’s orchard. The Finn household centred around music, with mother Mary playing the piano and father Richard maintaining a well-rounded LP jazz collection. The brothers recall that both this musical talent and the record collection were regularly brought out and showcased on weekends. During these times, well-known numbers of the era would be played throughout the home. These occasions often grew into lively gatherings, with family, friends, and even local church priests joining in. Another pivotal aspect of the Finn brother’s childhood that would line their path towards their future musical success, was the Irish tradition the family regularly partook in. The Finn’s siblings would be regularly encouraged, or by how Tim describes, as, “forced” by their parents to sing songs in front of friends and relatives. “We’d all get dragged out” recalls Neil “and though we would squirm with embarrassment we’d really enjoy it”. Tim would later fondly recall the memory “as a gift from his parents” saying, “we might have had the talent, but they ignited it.”

From an early age the boys both received piano lessons, with Tim also picking up lessons from jazz musician Chuck Fowler at the suggestion of his father. While Neil also had guitar lessons and was involved in the local folksy scene. Growing up, both boys participated in many music talent quests through school and community events, winning prizes and recognition from their talent, with both Finn brothers consecutively, winning the annual Walter Kirby Music prize, a prestigious annual solo and group music contest. Then in 1972, after Tim had decided to drop out of university and he along with Phill Judd, formed the band Split Enz. The name was believed to be given in relation to a condition Phill had acquired that led him to compulsively pull his hair out. Tim would soon after approached Mike Chunn and Miles Golding to join the band. Tim’s sights were now set on playing at a much-anticipated rock festival, which were to be held in Ngaaruawaahia, the following year. They secured their first gig at a venue called the Wynyard tavern, located on Auckland’s Symonds Street. The band played a three-song repertoire to a handful of punters, where Chunn later recalled that after, “The crowd all sat and stared at us, but we felt like a million dollars.” At that time, a young Neil would drive to Auckland with his parents to watch his older brother and band mates play, spellbound that Tim was playing in a proper band, subsequently becoming one of their biggest supporters.

Next, with the Great Ngaaruawaahia rock festival fast approaching, Split Enz managed to secure a slot where they would be playing next to big acts such as Black Sabbath and Fairport convention. However, the experience would not go on to be one of the bands most memorable experiences. Not long after the band started playing, the crowd would start shouting obscenities at them to get off the stage, eager to see the more well-known acts of the time. The band had to cut their performance short to escape the sea of hurtling beer cans. Yet, in spite of this, Split Enz went on to have national and internal success in the music world. They toured New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the US and became known for their catchy melodic but mercurial songs. Their heavy mannequin makeup, thick hair gels and quirky, theatrical style had succeeded in setting them apart from other bands.
Neil would join the band in 1976, at the age of 18 years. He would then go on to co found the famed Crowded House, with Tim joining later on. The Finn brothers would both evolve and expand throughout their musical career, reaching new musical heights, but always coming back together to collaborate musically.

After a 20-year break, Split Enz reunited in May for their 2026 New Zealand tour, featuring Tim and Neil Finn, Eddie Rayner, Noel Crombie, Matt Eccles, and James Milne.

References
Apter, J. (2010). The Story of the Finn Brothers: Together Alone. Random House, Australia. 
Bourke, C. (1997). Crowded House: Something So Strong. Macmillan, Australia. 
Doole, K. & Twomey, C. (1996). Crowded House: Private Universe. Omnibus Press. 
Eley, T.  (2026, May 3). Split Enz Forever Enz Tour: Nostalgic Hamilton Show proves band still have it . New Zealand Herald. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/waikato-news/lifestyle/split-enz-forever-enz-tour-nostalgic-hamilton-show-proves-band-still-have-it/777EZDX66JGOPLNSRVPU5VWIZM/