The Chicks
Instantly recognisable with their matching outfits, trendy haircuts and up-tempo, harmony-rich pop singles, sisters Judy and Sue Donaldson rose to become some of New Zealand’s biggest stars as The Chicks.
The Chicks' first record, as arranged by Mike Perjanik
Judy Donaldson
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Judy Donaldson collection
Festival Records advertisement for C'mon performers The Chicks, Tommy Ferguson, and Shane.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy Donaldson on stage at Fisherman's Wharf, Auckland, backed by Roger Williams on Hammond organ, Bruce King on drums, and Kevin Haines on bass.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy Donaldson
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks were discovered by Viking's Ron Dalton while singing for Peter Posa. They would provide Viking with a string of hits.
The Chicks - Timothy (live, 1985)
The Chicks, C'mon '68 tour, Napier.
Photo credit:
John Pilcher
The Chicks and Shane appear at Lynnmall, New Lynn, Auckland. Western Leader, March 19, 1970.
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Judy Donaldson collection
C'mon '68 tour, Napier Soundshell.
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John Pilcher
The Chicks, Playdate magazine.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Story on Sue Donaldson's road "jinx" from NZ Truth, 23 April 1968.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks kicking up heels with Jim McNaught and Ken Cooper, Wellington, mid-1960s
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Ken Cooper collection
Judy and Suzanne Donaldson – The Chicks
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson - onstage.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Manager Ray Columbus signs The Chicks to Polydor in 1968. On the right is Polydor A&R manager Robin Robinson. Ray managed several artists very successfully in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of Phil Warren's Fullers organisation.
Prince Charles meets The Chicks, Super Pop '70, 25 March 1970.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks feature story, NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
C'mon finale, 1968.
Superpop '70, a concert held at Western Springs, Auckland, featured local performers including The Chicks, Bunny Walters, and Reg Ruka. Produced by Max Cryer, the event was broadcast live and attended by Prince Charles and Princess Anne, who were visiting New Zealand with their parents.
NZ Woman's Weekly retrospective story and update on the lives of The Chicks.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
Judy and Ross's wedding day - outside St Matthew's church.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Viking Records - early publicity photo of The Chicks
The Chicks onstage at Napier Soundshell, summer 1967-68, during one of several non-official tours that cashed in on the success of C'mon
Photo credit:
John Pilcher
"Pop music duo Sue (Suzanne) and Judy Donaldson ('The Chicks') autograph posters for their fans at the Ōtara Town Centre on 23 March 1970. The pair, who were about to break up their partnership to pursue individual careers, also visited Manurewa to promote both their last shared release, 'I Will See You There', and their final appearance together in 'Super Pop 70' at Western Springs." From the South Auckland Courier Central Edition, 25 March 1970
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Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 08367
The Chicks on the set on C'mon.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Ravens, fronted by singers Judy and Suzanne Donaldson, win a talent quest. The sisters went on to national fame as The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
C'mon - the final episode from season one, 1967, featuring The Chicks
The Chicks' award to acknowledge achievement and excellence in the Performing Arts at Waitakere Primary School.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' third album, produced by Ray Columbus, recorded at Mascot Studios and released in 1968 on the Polydor label. Cover design by Ron Fulstow.
While visiting Gisborne in September 1966, with Benny Levin's Impact Show, the Chicks spent time signing autographs in Christie's record store. The Gisborne Photo News caption reads: "Surrounded by some of their admiring fans are "The Chicks", Sue (left) and Judy. Those who got their autographs are, from left, Lois Mitchell, Linda Ring, Judith Hankey, Dawn Phelps, Lynnette Jackson and Susan Russell."
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Gisborne Photo News
The Chicks at the Top Hat, Napier
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Gordon Wong collection
NZ's favourite singing sisters, The Chicks, on the cover of NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
Viking Records talent card for The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
To the Gisborne Photo News in September 1965, the teenage Chicks (and Sandie Shaw) were the acceptable entertainment in a bill that included the notorious Pretty Things.
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Gisborne Photo News
C'mon '68 tour, Napier Soundshell.
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John Pilcher
The Chicks' Suzanne Donaldson with Ken Cooper. To the left is Jim McNaught.
The Chicks' debut album for Viking from 1965, recorded when Sue was just 14 and Judy 16.
The Chicks in NZ Listener, 1968.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy and Ross's wedding day - outside St Matthew's church.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Suzanne (left) and Judy Donaldson (right) with Ray Columbus (centre) and friends. Back row, L to R: Shane Hales, Kevin McNeil, Ray Woolf, Shade Smith.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Murray Grindlay and Suzanne Donaldson of The Chicks, on a C'mon tour.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Miss You Baby (C'mon, 1969)
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks
The Chicks' fourth and final album, with cover photography by a young Roger Donaldson.
The Chicks, endorsing tea for the New Zealand Tea Council, late 1960s.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
On the set of C'mon, with Shane, Suzanne Donaldson (The Chicks), Ray Columbus, Judy Donaldson (The Chicks), Tommy Ferguson, and Ray Woolf.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks feature story, NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
The famous dresses worn by The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson
The Chicks - The Hucklebuck (Swingin' Safari, 1965, filmed by Bruce King)
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Suzanne and Judy Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' 1966 album produced by Ron Dalton and engineered by Frank Douglas. Cover photograph by Hubert Sieben.
The Donaldson family, pictured at Judy's wedding.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks feature story, NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
The Chicks at The Top Hat, backed by Johnny and the Contacts, 23 October, 1965
On the set of C'mon '68: Shane, Suzanne Lynch (The Chicks), Ray Columbus, Judy Donaldson (The Chicks), Tommy Ferguson and Ray Woolf
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Links:
Larry Killip talks to Judy Hindman (nee Donaldson)
The Chicks on C'mon, at NZ On Screen
Suzanne talks to RNZ about the Dixie Chicks becoming the Chicks
The Chicks were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa in 2020. The Hall of Fame is an initiative of Recorded Music NZ and the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), whose support of AudioCulture enables the site to stream music content.
Members:
Judy Donaldson - vocals
Suzanne Donaldson - vocals
Discography