David Curtis

1969 to Today

The Story

Five decades. Five chapters. From a teenager who walked out of a music lesson with a record deal, to a father performing alongside his son — David Curtis's story unfolds as a journey through New Zealand music history. Each step on the timeline below marks a chapter in a career that has crossed continents, weathered changing eras, and found its way back to the stage time and again.

1969–1970

Chapter one

Beginnings — how it all started.

David Curtis's musical journey began in 1969 when he performed in the New Zealand National Opera Company's production of Carmen, featuring Kiri Te Kanawa. He caught the bug, and a lifelong passion for the world of music was ignited. Shortly thereafter he recorded a four-song acetate demo on the Wellington Sonic label as a family keepsake.

David Curtis's first Sonic Recordings 45 acetate, Wellington
David Curtis as a young boy with his guitar

Unbeknownst to David, his guitar teacher submitted the recording to HMV — leading to an audition with producer Alan Galbraith and legendary pianist & arranger Garth Young. Straight after the audition, Alan took David into his office and played him Kay Starr's 1950s hit Wheel of Fortune. "Do you want to record this?"

A few weeks later David cut Wheel of Fortune with members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. It hit New Zealand radio in 1970 — and was an immediate phenomenon.

1970–1971

Chapter two

From the school playground to national TV, radio & a gold disc.

David recorded two albums on the HMV label, and at only 13 years old he achieved notable success — Wheel of Fortune spent 11 weeks in the NZ top 20, peaking at #5 on the national charts and attaining gold-disc status. The track was then selected as a finalist for the 1970 Loxene Golden Disc Awards, where it took 3rd place in the final public vote.

David Curtis — first HMV album cover
Wheel of Fortune framed gold disc — Million Seller Equivalent, October 1970

The following year his song Take Your Leave co-won the Studio One Song Contest and was selected to represent New Zealand at the Yamaha World Popular Song Contest. Across a two-year period he is reported to have sold around 60,000 records — two albums and six singles — in a market where 15,000 sales earned gold-disc status.

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1974–2008

Chapter three

From music studies to The Hollies, through the UK & back.

After completing three years of full time music studies at Wellington Polytechnic, David moved from Wellington to Auckland. In the 1980s he gained national recognition as an adult performer, opening in concert for international stars including The Hollies, Leo Sayer, The Irish Rovers and The Troggs. He was named Rising Star of the Year in 1983 and appeared on TVNZ's 25th anniversary special in 1985.

That same year, David and his wife Pauline moved to England, performing in London venues through to the mid-90s. He toured the UK for six months with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and regularly collaborated with world-class musicians around Covent Garden.

On returning to New Zealand, David featured in the documentary Rocked the Nation, highlighting 100 key moments in New Zealand music history.

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At 25, he's on the comeback trail — NZ Woman's Weekly article on David Curtis

2020…

Chapter four

Back on record — after all these years.

After stepping away from the live professional music scene for several years to focus on other interests, David has found renewed motivation through his son Michael's own musical development.

David returned to the studio as an adult contemporary artist — warm-voiced, melodic, unhurried. After All These Years arrived as a quiet statement of intent. New originals appeared on international Valentine and Top-20 lists; the single Christmas Day (The First Day of Forever) charted on the Airplay Express Christmas list.

Read the full story →Hear the adult catalogue →

David Curtis — portrait, After All These Years era

today

Chapter five

Father & son, and the gospel chapter.

David now performs as a father-and-son duo with his son Michael — in clubs, RSAs, function venues and retirement villages across New Zealand, playing the songs an adult audience actually wants to hear.

A new gospel project is in production for release through 2026 — the next chapter, already being written.

The duo →Read the full story →

David and Michael Curtis performing as a duo