Will Crummer is a Cook Islands singer and entertainer who was well known in the 1960s in both Auckland, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. He released EPs and albums during the 1960s, and along with Pepe and the Rarotongans, was a pioneering Cook Islands artist. His is also the father of singer Annie Crummer.
Background In his teens, Crummer climbed coconut trees in his village to sing songs he had heard on the radio, including songs by Pat Boone and Nat King Cole.Cook Islands News, Sunday 11 January 2015 - Will Crummer croons away the years Written by Matariki Wilson He moved to New Zealand in the early 1960s to work as a concreter, a job his brother had arranged for him.New Zealand Herald, Monday 4 April 2011 - Annie Crummer: Songs of my father
Crummer became well known in Auckland during the 1960s when the Polynesian music scene was popular.Cook Islands News, Sunday 11 January 2015 - Will Crummer croons away the years Written by Matariki Wilson The band he became known for fronting was Will Crummer and the Royal Rarotongans,Pacific Islands Monthly: PIM., Volume 67, Pacific Publications, 1997 Page 51 by Alma Raganivatu performing at venues such as The Orange Ballroom and The Reefcomber.Cook Islands News, Sunday 11 January 2015 - Will Crummer croons away the years Written by Matariki Wilson
He made some recordings in Auckland, his EP Rarotonga in 1962 and Cook Islands Magic the following year. He also released Romantic Rarotonga and Love Songs of Polynesia. New Zealand Herald, Monday 4 April 2011 - Annie Crummer: Songs of my father
In 1968, Viking Records issued the compilation Action Rarotonga!, which featured his group, Will Crummer and The Royal Rarotongans, as well as Pepe and The Rarotongans.BMG; Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Volume 66 Page 136The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 51825 Action Rarotonga!
Crummer performed in Tahiti, and Hawaii where he was offered a residency by a Hawaiian promoter. After performing there for a time, he broke his contract for personal reasons and headed back to New Zealand where he found work in warehousing.Pacific Islands Monthly: PIM., Volume 67, Pacific Publications, 1997 Page 51 by Alma Raganivatu According to his daughter Annie, he gave up music to raise his family.New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 18 February 2014 - Sarah Stuart 's Opinion, Twelve Questions: Annie Crummer
Later years In 2011, Ode Records released his album Shoebox Lovesongs.Elsewhere.co.nz, 28 March 2011 - Will Crummer: Shoebox Lovesongs (Ode) - Graham Reid Produced by Nick Bollinger and Arthur Baysting, it features his old friend Dinky Ngatipa and a string arrangement by Don McGlashan.New Zealand Listener, 2 April 2011 - The Pasifika Social club By Chris Bourke In Music Daughter Annie and The Yandall Sisters also feature on the album.Elsewhere.co.nz, 28 March 2011 Will Crummer: Shoebox Lovesongs (Ode) - Graham Reid
On Saturday, 25 January 2015, Crummer and his band, Will Crummer and the Rarotongans performed aboard HMNZS Otago to an audience of around 10,000. His daughter Annie was also at the event.New Zealand Herald, Monday 26 January 2015 - Auckland Anniversary Weekend: Music, food and fun - what's on today? By Tom Carnegie
Discography
+ Single Act Title Release info Year Notes A) Loma avec l'orchestre Hotel TahitiB) Will Crummer and the Seastars "Pua'a Choux""Omai Na To Rima" Tahiti Records 190
+ EP Act Title Release info Year Notes Will Crummer and the Sea Stars Romantic Rarotonga Viking VE 114 Discogs Will Crummer And The Sea Stars* – Romantic RarotongaOPAC-Notice Notice n° 37326 Will Crummer and the Seastars Rarotonga Viking VE 118 1962 The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Catalogue → 21041, Apai atu koe iaku e ineNew Zealand Herald, Monday 4 April 2011 - Annie Crummer: Songs of my father + LP Act Title Release info Year Notes Will Crummer and the Seastars Cook Islands Magic Viking VP 94 LPDiscogs Will Crummer And The Seastars – Cook Islands Magic Will Crummer and the Royal Rarotongans Love songs of Polynesia Viking VP 110 1963 LPThe age, Thursday, 8 September 1966 Page 24WorldCat Love songs of PolynesiaWorthPoint Lot of 4 Records Vintage Polynesia NZ Eddie Lund Eddie Lund and His Tahitians and Will Crummer and the "Seastars"* Tahiti Meets Manihiki Tahiti Records EL 1015 LPDiscogs Eddie Lund And His Tahitians And Will Crummer And The "Seastars"* – Tahiti Meets Manihiki Will Crummer and the Royal RarotongansPepe and the Rarotongans Action Rarotonga VikingWorldCat Action Rarotonga! VP 251 LP Will Crummer Shoebox Love Songs Ode CDMANU5113 2011 CDDiscogs Will Crummer – Shoebox Love Songs
+ Various artist compilations Title Release info Year Notes Music of the South Seas! A Visit to Tahiti, New Zealand, Rarotonga World Records ST889 Will Crummer and The Royal Rarotongans songs: "Sinsano","Tu Takariki", "Rarotonga"
References