Eddie Low


When Eddie Low signed as a solo act to Joe Brown’s label in 1970, the canny impresario billed him as the “voice in a million”. For another 50 years, Low’s voice was a gorgeous instrument, resonant and honeyed. He toured with legends including Charley Pride, Johnny Cash, Freddy Fender, and could deftly mimic Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Locally, he was billed alongside peers such as Toni Williams, Howard Morrison, Suzanne Prentice, and Gray Bartlett.

Edward “Eddie” McRoy was born blind in Rotorua on 14 May 1943. His 18-year-old Māori mother Rangitukia McRoy (née Ratana) contracted German measles and TB during her pregnancy and died just weeks after Eddie was born. His Scottish-born father Robert McRoy was unable to care for Eddie and his two-year old brother David, so both boys were adopted by widow Maria Low. She already had four children of her own and lived in Rotorua, across the road from Hinemihi marae.

Kevin Greaves (left) and Eddie Low at at the 2019 Variety Artist Club Benny Awards.
Photo credit: Variety Artists Club
Daphne Walker and Eddie Low at the 2019 VAC Benny Awards.
Photo credit: Michael Colonna
The Māori Volcanics in 1976, with Billy T. James, supported by The Yandall Sisters, Eddie Low and Family Affair
Eddie Low, 1970
Photo credit: Redmer Yska Collection
John Hore, left, and Eddie Low during the recording of their album We Should Be Together at Stebbing's, Auckland, 1972. The album was produced by Peter Posa
Four Benny award winners and other friends celebrate Eddie Low's 70th birthday, Cambridge, 2015. From left: Gray Bartlett, Brendan Dugan, Dennis Marsh, Eddie Low, Kim Willoughby, and Tom Sharplin; at right are three of Rusty Greaves's 14 children: Michelle, Kevin and Lex.
Photo credit: Gray Bartlett collection
The Eddie Low show with Kevin Greaves, Tamworth 2018.
The Sundowners in Sydney. In the wicker chair is Triggy Delano; behind him, from left: Ian Franklin, John Rowles, Nephi Shortland, Billy Nuku, Eddie Low.
New Zealand artists at the Tamworth Country Music festival (L-R): Aly Cook, Kevin Greaves, Eddie Low, Brendan Dugan.
Photo credit: Aly Cook Collection
Eddie Low in the Quin Tikis, from Don't Let It Get You (1966)
Jenny Blackadder with Eddie Low (left) and John Grenell, January 2020. 
Photo credit: Jenny Blackadder collection
Eddie Low and John Hore Live EP (Joe Brown, 1971)
Eddie Low - Eddie Low On A Mini Record (Joe Brown, 1970)
I Can't Stop Loving You and I Am Me (Live)
Eddie Low - I Want To Be Free (Joe Brown, 1970)
Eddie Low sings Avenues and Alleyways - Miss New Zealand 1973
Eddie Low on stage with Graffiti in the mid-1970s. Ritchie Pickett extreme right.
Eddie Low, 1972
Eddie Low (rear left) with The Quin Tikis on an album released for Joe Brown's label in 1968
Eddie Low
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
The Sundowners with John Rowles. At back, L-R: Billy Nuku, Triggy Delano, Ian Franklin. In front, L-R: Eddie Low, Nephi Shortland, John Rowles. 
Eddie Low and John Hore, We Should Be Together (Joe Brown, 1972)
Eddie Low is Presented with the Benny 2009 by Max Cryer
Eddie Low on The Beat Goes On
Eddie Low - You Better Sit Down Kids (Joe Brown, 1970)
Eddie Low's debut album on Joe Brown Records, 1970
Eddie Low, 1970, on the set of an NZBC show
Photo credit: Robert Joiner, Redmer Yska Collection
Early 60s. From left: Trix Willoughby, David Low, Lynette, Eddie Low, and Teddy.
Photo credit: Michael Colonna Collection
Trivia:

Among the many awards and accolades Eddie Low received were: New Zealand Entertainer and Songwriter of the Year (1980), 1983 Country Hands of Fame in Tamworth, Australia (1983), Variety Artists Club Scroll of Honour (1984), Hands of Fame in Gore, New Zealand (1993), Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to music (2006), New Zealand Country Legend Award in Hamilton (2009), Variety Artists Club Benny Award (2009), Rockonz International Star Award (2010), and Arts Access Aotearoa Attitude Artistic Achievement Award (2011).

In Canada, Eddie Low was given the name Arugra Hug Ataga (“Indian from down under”) through his fundraising for an Inuit children’s hospital.

Low toured New Zealand in 2003 with his Roy Orbison tribute show.

In 2004 Rajon Music – then one of the largest independent record labels in Australia – released a three-CD set of songs that were important to him through his upbringing and career.

Labels:

Joe Brown


RCA

Funded by

Partners with