News & Video

Legendary singer Eddie Low passes away

E kore e mutu ngā mihi, e kore e mutu ngā roimata.
Moe mai rā e te Rangatira

The voice in a million is silent, but his music will live on forever.

Renowned New Zealand singer Eddie Low (MNZM), known as "the voice in a million", passed away peacefully at 7.45am today, 21 Saturday September 2024, with loved ones at his side. He had been battling cancer for some time.

Born into poverty on 14 May 1943, Eddie's life was marked by extraordinary resilience, determination, and talent. His mother, Rangi Ratana McRoy, contracted German measles and tuberculosis during her pregnancy, resulting in Eddie's being born totally blind at birth. Tragically, Rangi passed away shortly after giving birth to Eddie and his twin, who did not survive.

Eddie had a two-year-old brother David (Mackie), and as their father felt unable to raise two boys on his own, Eddie and David were taken in by Maria Low, a widow already raising five children. Maria legally adopted Eddie, fearing he would be removed from her home and institutionalised due to his blindness, a common practice at the time.

Educated at the Foundation for the Blind School in Parnell from the age of five, Eddie developed a deep love for music, learning to play numerous instruments by ear and feel. At the age of 12, he underwent three surgeries on his eyes, gaining slight vision in his left eye but remaining blind in his right eye.

His incredible vocal abilities, combined with his humility and musicianship, propelled him to international fame. Eddie's career spanned more than 60 years, during which he captivated audiences worldwide with his incomparable voice and dynamic stage performances. He performed alongside legendary national and international artists, toured extensively, and left an enduring legacy in New Zealand’s music industry.

Eddie’s talents were not limited to music, as he was also an outstanding track and field athlete, training in with the late, great Peter Snell, gaining his black belt in karate under the great sensei Len Monk, and becoming an international blind golfing champion.

Eddie’s eldest daughter, Maria, describes her father's strength, resilience, and indomitable spirit.

“He never thought of his blindness as a disability – it was just something he happened to have. His only fear was that people would think he couldn’t do something because of his sight, but if anything, it made him even more stubborn, more determined, to prove he could do anything others could do, and more.

“The odds were stacked against Dad from the beginning, but he beat them one by one. He never knew how talented he was and how much he inspired all of us as well as other singers and musicians," she said.”

The family will hold a service in Christchurch, which will be livestreamed (details to come). A special tribute concert is being planned in 2025 to honour Eddie's life, music and legacy. Details will be announced closer to the time.

Eddie Low will be remembered as a beloved musician, a trailblazer, a man who never let his blindness define or limit him, and a source of inspiration for all who knew him. He leaves behind three children, five grandchildren, one great grandchild, and his partner of almost five years, Kerry.

Press Release pdf

A Poem

An amazing poem thanks to the wonderful Aly Cook.

A Timeless Performance

The curtain falls, but the show must go on,

A legacy etched, a spirit reborn.

Beneath the spotlight, a star has shined,

A timeless performance, forever enshrined.

Through trials and tribulations, to persevere

With courage and strength, his vision was clear

The show must go on, a resolute cry,

A testament to hope, that will never die.

With every step, a challenge faced,

With determination, he kept a steady pace.

A symphony of souls, united as one,

A masterpiece created, when the journey is done.

So let the curtain rise, let the music play,

A celebration of life, come what may.

A voice in a Million, a melody so sweet

Now hushed, yet echoes in our heart’s complete.

Eddie, the singer, with a pitch divine,

His soul's pure essence, and beacon to shine

For in the heart of darkness, a spark can ignite,

with courage and hope, he could conquer the night.

Though the stage is empty, his spirit remains,

Inspiring us all, to conquer our pains.

By Kelly Makiha
Multimedia Journalist·Rotorua Daily Post

Rotorua-born singer Eddie Low dies after cancer battle

When Rotorua-born singer Eddie Low would hit that soprano note in his shows, the crowd would be on the edges of their seats wondering when he’d stop for air. When he did, applause would erupt.

But now the “voice in a million” has been silenced after the partially blind multi-award-winning and internationally-acclaimed singer lost his battle with cancer.

Low died on Saturday. He was 81.

RNZ
via NZ Herald

Kiwi music legend Eddie Low dies aged 81 following cancer battle

Iconic New Zealand singer Eddie Low has died at age 81 after battling cancer.

Low was born blind because of the German measles outbreak in Rotorua on May 14, 1943.

He was educated at the Foundation for the Blind in Auckland from the age of 5 and started his first band when he was 13 with two friends, called The Three Blind Mice.

Eddie Low withdraws from NZ Highwaymen 2024, health issues,

longtime friend Frankie Stevens steps in

With deep regret, legendary singer Eddie Low has made the very difficult decision to withdraw from the highly anticipated NZ Highwaymen 2024 Tour due to ongoing health concerns.

As many fans know, Eddie has been bravely battling diffuse gastric cancer since late 2023. This included a six-hour surgery to remove his entire stomach, followed by a significant amount of weight loss. While Eddie was determined to hit the road again in June with the NZ Highwaymen, he has made the call that the rigours of touring – rehearsals, sound checks, travel, and the performances themselves – will be too demanding for him at this time.

Eddie's dedication to his fans is legendary. In a career spanning more than six decades, he's built a reputation for never letting them down. This is why the decision to withdraw is especially difficult. "I truly hoped to be strong enough for the tour, but it's just not possible right now,” says Eddie.

However, there's a silver lining. Eddie is thankful to his long-time friend, Frankie Stevens, who is stepping in to complete the band for the tour.

"Frankie is an entertainment veteran and I have full faith in his ability to deliver an incredible show. So much work has gone into planning this tour, and although I won't be there physically, I'll be cheering them on every step of the way. Frankie is a great showman, and I want the fans to support him and the rest of the band."

Promoter for the NZ Highwaymen Aly Cook says, “We had to let this be Eddie’s decision as to whether he could be well enough to perform and support him in every way regardless of his decision. Eddie’s drive to deliver for his audience is strong and he’s shown determination like no artist I have ever known in my life. He is an exemplary example of a saying in our business, ‘The Show Must Go On’. His partners in the NZ Highwaymen, Brendan Dugan, Gray Bartlett and Dennis Marsh are saddened by what has happened to our good friend and we are behind him 150%!

“We are grateful that the wonderful Frankie Stevens has stepped up to fill the very big shoes of Eddie Low on this tour. We know the audiences will absolutely love Frankie’s performances with the NZ Highwaymen and the show will be its usual fabulous entertaining night loved by the audiences that attend.”

Frankie said, “I have known Eddie for a lot of years and regard him as one of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s great music Taonga, I am deeply saddened that Eddie has had to withdraw because of health concerns as I know how much he loves performing with his fellow Highwaymen and to his adoring audiences. While I look forward to working with Brendan, Dennis and Gray I am mindful of how much you will be missed bro and will endeavour to do you proud. Arohanui.”

Frankie Stevens

Frankie Stevens recorded a number of successful songs. “My Elusive Dreams” became a New Zealand hit. It held the No.1 spot on the charts for three weeks and managed to stay in the Top 20 for 2 months. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours list in 2004/2005. Frankie has represented New Zealand and England in several European Song Contests. He has won a Silver Prize at the second Tokyo Music Festival, as well as a Bronze and a Gold at the Golden Orpheus Song Festival in Bulgaria. He performed in Las Vegas. Frankie has appeared and toured with artists such as Olivia Newton-John, Shirley Bassey, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis Junior, Jack Jones and Val Doonican. Importantly for the NZ Highwaymen tour, Frankie is a longtime friend of Eddie and the other guys, and we we welcome him to the NZ Highwaymen family.

Our story

Legend

Veteran singer Eddie Low embarks on NZ Highwaymen tour following recent surgery. On Thursday 9 November, legendary singer Eddie Low kicked off a continuation of their nationwide tour with a four-show extention starting in Kerikeri as part of the NZ Highwaymen, despite having his entire stomach removed a little over a month ago. The 80-year-old underwent a six-hour surgery on 29 September to remove his stomach due to diffuse gastric cancer, a surgery that has since led to considerable weight loss, as was expected with this operation.

Eddie’s diagnosis came about after extensive testing in Christchurch following his collapse backstage at the Hokitika show during the final nights of the first leg the NZ Highwaymen tour in July. That incident prevented him from performing at the last two shows but was the catalyst for the testing which eventually led to diagnosis of diffuse stomach cancer.Tour promoter and promoter Aly Cook says that pre-empting concerns about his health and appearance, Eddie has chosen to be open with his fans.“It hasn’t been an easy decision for him or his family to share such immensely private and personal news, but Eddie is keenly aware that fans are noticing a significant weight loss even since the first leg of the NZ Highwaymen tour ended in July.”

Aly said she and the rest of the NZ Highwaymen were blown away with Eddie’s opening night performance. “The man’s just had his stomach removed, for goodness sake. He’s an absolute champion. He’s still hoarse when he talks as a result of the bruising and damage to his throat and oesophagus from the intubation during and after surgery, but Eddie sings in his diaphragm, not his throat, so there isn’t really much difference when he sings.”The surgery was originally set for early September, which would have allowed more time for recovery before the planned shows but was delayed due to the senior doctors’ strikes. However, Eddie says even the later date wouldn’t have stopped him.“People want to see us and that’s a privilege I would never take for granted. I don’t want to let them down.”Eddie says that on and offstage support from the other Highwaymen — his longtime friends and fellow musicians Gray Bartlett, Dennis Marsh and Brendan Dugan, will also help him get through the shows as its format allows for individual performances as well as group performances”.“

I’ve got the easy part. I just sing a song, sit down and rest, sing another song, sit down and rest,” he says in his typical self-deprecating style. Aly says, “For almost 60 years Eddie has been one of the hardest working entertainers in this industry and although his recovery is going to be long and difficult, he’s been getting pretty bored just sitting around at home since the surgery. He’s quite excited to get out of the house.”Eddie was at the post-show CD signing in Kerikeri and hopes to continue this at the remaining shows. However, Aly says she’ll be keeping a close eye on him.“His health must come first, and as much as he loves to meet with fans after each show, he has to listen to his body. He always tends to push himself, so I’ll be cracking the whip to make sure he’s prioritising his health.

”The NZ Highwaymen are performing shows in Kerikeri (9 November), Papakura (10 November), Rotorua (11 November) and a matinee in Kawerau (12 November). In November/December, Eddie will be performing in Ashburton at the Ashburton RSA with Brendan Dugan (2 December) and at a Christmas Country Concert in Rangiora (3 December) Christchurch, along with Brendan and Sisters in Country — Jodi Vaughan and Aly Cook