By Laura Frykberg
Pixie Williams was the voice of New Zealand's first ever hit record, chances are you have never heard of the pop star or the song ‘Blue Smoke’.
But tonight the triple platinum award winner's chart topper is getting the recognition it deserves.
Many people like to sing in the shower but it seldom starts a singing career.
Pop star Pixie Williams is the exception.
“He was looking for a singer for ‘Blue Smoke’ and he approached me through his girlfriend Joan. She heard me sing through the shower and bathroom.”
He was songwriter Ruru Karaitiana.
Had he not heard about the silky voice in the bathroom, New Zealand's first homemade record ‘Blue Smoke’ may never have gone on to sell $50,000 singles.
The wartime song even inspired a book by Chris Bourke about the history of New Zealand music.
Tonight it won three categories at this year's book awards in Wellington.
“I'm pretty sure the reason he has chosen the title ‘Blue Smoke’ for this book is a recognition of that song because it was the first New Zealand song to be distributed and pressed in New Zealand. Up until that time New Zealand music had to be recorded in Australia,” says judge Paul Diamond.
Despite Pixie Williams’s success she is the epitome of humble.
“They said ‘oh, can I shake your hand, you know?’ I said, ‘what for?’ They said, ‘you're a star’, I said ‘what is a star?’ Lots of stars are in the sky.”
Her and Ruru's song even attracted a Hollywood star.
“Dean Martin sang it…I thought it was lovely. I heard him sing it and he wanted Ru to write him more songs but Ru thought he was kidding him,” she says.
But music is no joke.
At 83 Pixie Williams says it is still her best medicine.
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