Pixie Williams
About Pixie Williams from Wellington
THE PIXIE WILLIAMS COLLECTION 1949-1951:
Released on the 12 July 2011, the digitally remastered collection of 13 Pixie Williams' songs, including the much loved 'Blue Smoke'. The sound quality of these recordings is outstanding. Each instrument is now clearly audible to support Williams' outstanding voice perfectly. Recorded 60+ years ago, these songs have never sounded so good.
THE EARLY YEARS:
Pikiteora Maude Emily Gertrude Edith Williams was born 12 July 1928, in Mohaka near Gisborne in the Hawkes Bay. Her happy childhood years were spent with her beloved grandparents and her love of music was born singing around the piano most evenings and on the Marae from age three.
By age 15 Williams moved to Napier where she got a job cleaning at the hospital, followed by a six month stint housekeeping at the Masonic Hotel. “I met Gladys Moncrieff there – a famous Australian soprano singer who was touring New Zealand. Her voice was incredible. She inspired me. I loved to sing – and wanted to do it right, so I got some lessons from the Sisters of Mercy."
THE MOVE TO WELLINGTON:
At age 17 Williams moved into the YWCA Hostel on Oriental Parade. Here her extraordinary voice, which was known to the girls she shared lodgings with, came to the attention of songwriter and musician Ruru Karaitiana. Fellow resident and room-mate Joan Chittleburgh suggested Williams be perfect to sing Karaitiana's songs which included 'Blue Smoke'.
Williams twice turned down Karaitiana when he asked her to record 'Blue Smoke.' After two months of asking and one final plea, she agreed - on the proviso that the recording didn't interfere with her Saturday hockey games.
Originally released in early 1949, Blue Smoke was arguably New Zealand’s first pop song. It was a huge hit topping the New Zealand chart for six weeks and selling 50,000 copies. In 1951 New York music trade magazines described Blue Smoke as one of the major hits of the year. It was covered by a host of international artists, including American crooner Dean Martin.
MORE MAGIC MAKING:
After the surprise success of Williams’ first effort, she recorded a second hit for Karaitiana ‘Let’s Talk it Over’ in 1949 which went on to sell 20,000 records. Two more Karaitiana songs were recorded in that year: 'Ain’t it a Shame' and 'Windy City.'
In 1950 Williams was introduced to Colin O’Connell who wrote two songs for her, 'Bell Bird Serenade' and 'Sweetheart in Calico.'
In 1951 two more gems were released. The first, 'Maori Rhythm' recorded with Allan Shand and his orchestra. The second, 'Sailing Along on a Moonbeam' by composer 'Rayling.'
PIXIE TODAY:
At the age of 82 , she lives in Wellington and still loves to sing, whistle and hum her way through each day.
“Music – it’s what keeps you going through good times and bad. It kept me sane in the hard times. Forget the pills. When you’ve got music in your life – you’ll be OK.” Pixie Williams
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