Lynne Kera Barnett (born 1945 – died early 2017) as Lyn Barnett was a New Zealand singer who had success in her home country. Later she moved to Australia and also became popular there. She made many appearances on Australian TV. She had a hit with a cover of "Please Mr. Postman". She was also the sister of singer Christine Barnett. She died in January or February 2017.

Background Barnett was born in Wellington, New Zealand.New Zealand Woman's Weekly, 12 August 1974 – Page 44

Her sister Christine Barnett was a recording artist and had released a number of singles on the Lexian label,Sergent.com.au – Christine Barnett45Cat – Christine Barnett – Discography which included "Cry for You" and "Teenage Queen". Christine would also tour with Blerta in Australia in the 1970s.Starts at 60, 23 Jul – Inquest hears of lonely end for 60s pop star Lynne Barnett

In 1964 Lyn Barnett married Michael Puddefoot aka Mike Leyton, who sang in the Merseymen band.The Auckland Star, 21 August 1964 – Pop singer marries

Career 1960s Barnett had a contract with the Viking label which ran from 1962 to 1963. During that period she released five singles. She also recorded an album Lyn for Viking backed by Garth Young and his Orchestra.Sergent.com.au – Lyn Barnett

For the week ending 24 February 1962, Billboard reported that her version of "No Heart At All" was climbing rapidly in many charts.Billboard, 24 February 1962 – Page 24 Chubby & Elvis Hot Down Under By FRED GEBBIE By 31 March, her recording of "Please Mr. Postman" entered the New Zealand Top 10.Billboard, 31 March 1962 – Page 15 Billboard Music Week Hits of the World, New Zealand By 28 April, it was at no. 6.Billboard, 28 April 1962 – Page 22 Billboard Music Week Hits of the World, New Zealand By 5 May, it was at no. 4.Billboard, 5 May 1962 – Page 18 Billboard Music Week Hits of the World, New Zealand

In 1962, her album which was credited to Lyn Barnett with Garth Young and his orchestra was released on Viking. The tracks included "On Again Off Again", "This Little Boy Of Mine", "Please Mr. Postman", and "No Heart At All".National Library of New Zealand – Lyn (sound recording) / Lyn Barnett with Garth Young and his orchestra. The 7 July 1962 issue of Billboard reported that US Label Chancellor Records were very interested in her after Ron Dalton took her LP to the United States.Billboard, 7 July 1962 – Page 20 International News, NEW ZEALAND, Anzacs to See Top U. S. Acts By FRED GEBBIE

On 31 March 1963, she was booked to appear at the Stars of the Royal Command Show at the Opera House in New Plymouth. Other artists on the bill were Howard Morrison and Bill & Boyd.National Library of New Zealand – Douglas G Elliott presents stars of the Royal Command Show ... Also in 1963 she had "Birthday Party" bw "That's Why I Love Him" released on the Lexian label, the same label her sister Christine had at least four singles released on.45Cat – Lyn Barnett – Discography45Cat – Christine Barnett – Discography The following year "What If Johnny Says No" bw "Second Hand Rose" was released on RCA Victor.45Cat – Lyn Barnett – Discography

In February 1964 she was set to take part in the "Startime Spectacular" which would tour the North Island. It was organized by promoter Jim Haddleton. The artists headlining included herself, Bill & Boyd and Max Merritt & The Meteors. At the last moment Barnett had to cancel. Max Merritt suggested that Dinah Lee should replace her. Lee was doing nightly 30 minute slots backed by The Meteors. Impressed by what he saw, Haddleton signed her up for a management deal and took control of Lee's career.Milesago – MILESAGO: Australasian Music & Popular Culture 1964–1975, DINAH LEE Also that year Barnett had married Mike Leyton, who sang in the Merseymen band and at some stage they moved to Sydney.The Auckland Star, 21 August 1964 – Pop singer marriesSergent.com.au – Lyn Barnett

In June 1967, she appeared on the music show Bandstand.The Age, Thursday, 15 June 1967 – Page 16 BANDSTAND Teenage music series Also that year she appeared in a couple of episodes of The Go!! Show. She appeared with The Mixtures and The Ram Jam Big Band, which aired on 30 August 1967.IMDb – The Go!! Show (1964–1967), Episode #1.217 On the episode that aired on 1 September 1967, Buddy England, The Groove and Billy Thorpe were also featured.IMDb – The Go!! Show (1964–1967), Episode #1.218

1970s In 1970, The New Zealand Herald reported in its 4 July issue that she was based in Sydney and was engaged for a two-week stint at Tommo's Place.The New Zealand Herald, 4 July 1970 – Lyn Barnett has been engaged for a two-week stint at Tommo's Place The following year she was involved in a car crash.New Zealand Herald, 24 July 1971 – Sydney-based pop singer Lyn Barnett was involved in a car crash In 1974 she was featured in an article of the New Zealand Woman's Weekly in its 12 August issue.New Zealand Woman's Weekly, 12 August 1974 – Page 44 Also that year, Hammond Electrique by blind keyboard player Claude Papesch was released on the His Master's Voice label in Australia. The musicians that played on the album were Dave Donovan, Bruno Lawrence and Dave Ellis. She along with Papesch provided the backing vocals for the album.Discogs – Claude Papesch – Hammond Electrique During 1974 and 1975 she appeared multiple times on the Ernie Sigley Show.IMDb – Lyn Barnett, Filmography

Later years In later years, she became reclusive. According to the Daily Telegraph, she would refuse to answer her phone.Daily Telegraph, 22 July 2017 – Sixties pop star Lynne Barnett dead for month before police make grisly find – Sarah Crawford and Jack Houghton She was also a sufferer of the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Starts at 60, 23 Jul – Inquest hears of lonely end for 60s pop star Lynne Barnett

Death She died at some point in January or February 2017. Her body had been lying undiscovered for about a month. The last time she was seen alive was on 30 January. Police found her body on 27 February after neighbours sounded an alarm.MSN – Comment: She was an Australian pop star. And she died alone. Her friend Garvan Dormer who she had known for 40 years had last seen her in December 2016. He said she was feeling a bit down.OIA News – 60s pop star left to die alone Dormer wasn't even aware that she had died and he only found out about her death on Wednesday 19 July when he was included in her will.The Daily Telegraph, 22 July 2017 – Sixties pop star Lynne Barnett dead for month before police make grisly find – Sarah Crawford and Jack Houghton Even her younger sister Christine didn't know she had died until Lyn's nephew in New Zealand was contacted on 21 July.The Advertiser, 22 July 2017 – Sixties pop star Lynne Barnett dead for month before police make grisly find – Sarah Crawford and Jack Houghton

She was buried without a funeral.Starts at 60, 23 Jul – Inquest hears of lonely end for 60s pop star Lynne Barnett

Discography + Singles Title Release info Year Peak Position Notes "No Heart At All" / "This Little Boy Of Mine" Viking VS.68 1962 "Please Mr. Postman" / "On Again, Off Again" Viking VS. 74 1962 #4 "Love Me To Pieces" / "Ya Gotta" Viking VS.77 1962 "Ordinary Guy" / "Aren't Some People Funny" Viking 110 1962 "Birthday Party" / "That's Why I Love Him" Lexian LS-17 1963 "What If Johnny Says No" / "Second Hand Rose" RCA Victor 60384 1964 45Cat – Lyn Barnett – Discography

+ Albums Title Release info Year Notes Lyn Viking VP 76 1962 Discogs – yn Barnett Discography, Albums

Appearances + Various artist compilations Title Release info Year Track Notes Very Best Of Kiwi Rock & Roll EMI – 7243 578451 2 0 2004 "Greasy Kids Stuff" Discogs – Lyn Barnett Discography, Appearances Early Rock from New Zealand, Vol. 11–12 Collector/White Label 7758 2005 "Ya Gotta" AllMusic – Various Artists, Early Rock from New Zealand, Vol. 11–12, Overview + Session and guest vocalist Artist Title Release info Year Role Notes Claude Papesch Hammond Electrique Zodiac ZLP 1055 1974 Vocals Australian version released on His Master's Voice SOELP-10175Discogs – Lyn Barnett Discography, Appearances

References

External links Imdb: Lyn Barnett Lyn Barnett – The Happening 1967 Lyn Barnett – The Happening 1968 Lyn Barnett sings Georgie Girl