Coup D'Etat was a New Zealand band active between 1980 and 1982.[1] Members included Harry Lyon, previously (and subsequently) of Hello Sailor, Jan Preston and Neil Hannan of Red Mole, and drummer Paul Dunningham. Originally, Preston and Hannan were members of the band Wolfgang with drummer Steve Osborne. Harry Lyon joined the band, which was then re-named Coup D'Etat.[2][3]

Coup D'etat
OriginNew Zealand
Years active1980–1982
LabelsVertigo Records
Past membersHarry Lyon (Guitar / Vocals)
Jan Preston (Keyboards / Vocals)
Neil Hannan (Bass Guitar)
Steve Osborne (Drums)
Paul Dunningham (Drums)

History

edit

The band is best known for their New Zealand top ten hit "Doctor I Like Your Medicine"[4][5] (written and sung by Lyon), which won Single of the Year at the 1981 New Zealand Music Awards.[6]

Neither their first single "No Music On My Radio" (sung by Preston), nor later single "Permanent Hire" (sung by Lyon) equalled the success of "Doctor I Like Your Medicine". Their self-titled album, released in 1981, reached 14 in the national charts.[5]

Preston left the band in 1981. The band reformed with a new lineup in 1982,[1] but soon afterwards broke up permanently.[2]

Legacy

edit

Lyon joined fellow ex-Hello Sailor member Graham Brazier's band The Leigonnaires, which eventually led to a full Hello Sailor reunion.[7]

Paul Dunningham joined Mi-Sex.[8]

Preston went on to have a lengthy solo career as a boogie-woogie pianist and singer.[9]

Discography

edit

Albums

Singles

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Coup D'Etat - AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Coup d'Etat | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Old New Zealand - The Way We Were - Entertainment - Music - Harry Lyon - Coup D'Etat". www.oldnewzealand.info. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Doctor I Like Your Medicine | Music Video | NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 16 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ a b "Coup D'Etat - charts.nz".
  6. ^ "Coup D'Etat - NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 16 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. ^ Reekie, Trevor. "Moments Like These: Harry Lyon - NZ Musician". nzmusician.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Mi-Sex - AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  9. ^ Newman, Keith (24 November 2015). "Jan Preston - AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2017.