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.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' award to acknowledge achievement and excellence in the Performing Arts at Waitakere Primary School.
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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 were discovered by Viking's Ron Dalton while singing for Peter Posa. They would provide Viking with a string of hits.
The Donaldson family, pictured at Judy's wedding.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' debut album for Viking from 1965, recorded when Sue was just 14 and Judy 16.
The Chicks - The Hucklebuck (Swingin' Safari, 1965, filmed by Bruce King)
Suzanne and Judy with their famous Chicks outfits in late 2016, Volume Exhibition, Auckland Museum 2016-2017.
Photo credit:
Judy Donaldson collection
Suzanne Donaldson
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks
The Chicks with the Topp Twins, Volume Exhibition, Auckland Museum, 2016. Left to Right: Judy Hindman, Jools Topp, Suzanne Lynch, Lynda Topp.
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Judy Donaldson collection
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
The Ravens, with vocalists Judy (front left) and Suzanne (front right) Donaldson. Ravens members included Tony de Jong (guitar), Alan Newlove (bass), Gary Berryman (guitar), Evan "Butch" Berryman (drums). Ron Riddell, brother of Space Waltz's Alastair Riddell, also played drums.
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Judy Donaldson collection
John Donaldson, flanked by Suzanne (left) and Judy (right).
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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
The famous dresses worn by The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson
The Chicks - Timothy (live, 1985)
Hegan Entertainments publicity photo of Suzanne.
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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.
C'mon - the final episode from season one, 1967, featuring The Chicks
The Chicks feature story, NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
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
Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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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 and Ross's wedding day - outside St Matthew's church.
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Judy Donaldson collection
C'mon finale, 1968.
The Ravens, with vocalists Suzanne (front left) and Judy (front right) Donaldson. Ravens members included Tony de Jong (guitar), Alan Newlove (bass), Gary Berryman (guitar), Evan "Butch" Berryman (drums). Ron Riddell, brother of Space Waltz's Alastair Riddell, also played drums.
Photo credit:
Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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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.
The Chicks, Playdate magazine.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks on the set on C'mon.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks at the Top Hat, Napier
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Gordon Wong collection
The Chicks feature story, NZ Woman's Weekly, November 25 1968.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Suzanne and Judy with their famous Chicks outfits in late 2016, Volume Exhibition, Auckland Museum 2016-2017.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' fourth and final album, with cover photography by a young Roger Donaldson.
Viking Records talent card for The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy and Suzanne with their father John Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne 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
Suzanne's wedding to Bruce Lynch.
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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
Judy and Suzanne Donaldson – The Chicks
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."
Photo credit:
Gisborne Photo News
The Chicks - Judy and Suzanne Donaldson - onstage.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks, C'mon '68 tour, Napier.
Photo credit:
John Pilcher
The Chicks at The Top Hat, backed by Johnny and the Contacts, 23 October, 1965
C'mon '68 tour, Napier Soundshell.
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John Pilcher
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 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
The Chicks.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Judy Donaldson
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Judy Donaldson collection
Suzanne Donaldson in Napier, C'mon '68 tour.
Photo credit:
John Pilcher
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
Viking Records - early publicity photo of The Chicks
The Chicks kicking up heels with Jim McNaught and Ken Cooper, Wellington, mid-1960s
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Ken Cooper collection
The Chicks' Suzanne Donaldson with Ken Cooper. To the left is Jim McNaught.
The Chicks, endorsing tea for the New Zealand Tea Council, late 1960s.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks and Shane appear at Lynnmall, New Lynn, Auckland. Western Leader, March 19, 1970.
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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.
The Chicks - Suzanne and Judy Donaldson.
Photo credit:
Judy Donaldson collection
NZ Woman's Weekly retrospective story and update on the lives of The Chicks.
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NZ Woman's Weekly
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.
Photo credit:
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
Prince Charles meets The Chicks, Super Pop '70, 25 March 1970.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Suzanne and Judy Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Former Chicks Suzanne Lynch and Judy Hindman enjoying family life with hubbies Bruce Lynch and Ross Hindman.
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Judy Donaldson collection
Fullers Entertainment publicity card for Suzanne Donaldson.
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Judy Donaldson collection
On the set of C'mon '68: Shane, Suzanne Lynch (The Chicks), Ray Columbus, Judy Donaldson (The Chicks), Tommy Ferguson and Ray Woolf
Judy Donaldson
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Judy Donaldson collection
Fullers Entertainment publicity card for Suzanne.
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Judy Donaldson collection
The Chicks' first record, as arranged by Mike Perjanik
The Chicks in NZ Listener, 1968.
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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 - Miss You Baby (C'mon, 1969)
C'mon '68 tour, Napier Soundshell.
Photo credit:
John Pilcher
The Donaldson family, with young Judy (left) and Suzanne (right).
Photo credit:
Judy Donaldson collection
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.
Discography
Members:
Judy Donaldson - vocals
Suzanne Donaldson - vocals