MARK WILLIAMS

Mark Williams (born 1954) was born in Dargaville in the Northland region of New Zealand and at 16 started up a band called The Face with classmates. The band went on to win the Northland heat of the National Battle of the Bands competition in September 1970, and finished third overall in the grand final held in Auckland in the new year. One of the judges at the final was Lew Pryme, and he recognised the potential of the group and became their manager. A single "Hangin' Around / Mr Postman" was released in 1973 on Zodiac and a national tour followed. In 1973, Mack Tane left and he was replaced by Bruce Robinson, previously of the Pleazers, Troubled Mind and Flinders. When the television show Happen Inn finished in 1973, a new show emerged. It was called Free Ride and was hosted by Ray Columbus. Lew convinced Williams to leave the Face and pursue a solo career at the time the new show was being launched. 

Whilst becoming a featured artist on the show, Free Ride will always be remembered for launching the career of Williams. Late in 1974 Williams was signed to EMI by Alan Galbraith. A single was released at the end of 1974, "Celebration / Let Love Come Between Us", but it was another song from the recording sessions that really stood out. Alan Galbraith had taken a Vanda and Young song, originally destined for Craig Scott, and given it a new arrangement. The song "Yesterday Was Just The Beginning of My Life" backed with "Jimmy Loves Marianne" was released in May 1975 and within 6 weeks was #1 on the National Charts, staying there for 3 weeks and eventually falling out of the charts 6 months later. Williams' debut self-titled album came out in June and peaked at #2, remaining on the album charts for 30 weeks.

It quickly went gold and went on to be New Zealand's bestselling pop/rock album of the seventies. Whilst the album contained many excellent songs, surprisingly no further singles came from it. The next single was "Sweet Wine / Who Do You Think You Are" and released in November 1975. It reached #7 on the charts. Early in 1976, Lew Pryme took Williams on a visit to Australia. The trip was not very successful and on their return to New Zealand, Pryme and Williams parted company. A second album 'Sweet Trials' was released along with his third single, "If It Rains / Morning Sun Upon A Mountain" taken from the album. Also including his second single, the album was not as successful, only reaching #14 on the album charts, while the third single fared worse, entering the charts at #25 and only staying in the charts for one week.

With Williams' popularity on the decline, which critics put down to the lack of good material featured on second album, the subsequent national tour only attracted medium-sized crowds. In late 1976 the single "Taking It All in Stride / Why Can't We Be Lovers" was released. It peaked at #14 and gave some much-needed airplay. A second boost to his career came about with the release of his third album 'Taking It All in Stride' in June 1977. It contained the single "It Doesn't Matter Anymore / True Love (Is Never Easy)". A superb cover of the old Buddy Holly classic, the song went to #1, giving Mark his second chart topper. Although certified Gold, the album didn't chart any higher than his second, it stayed around much longer and was well received by the record buying public. It also contained a fine duet with Sharon O'Neill called "If There's Still A Little Love" and this was released as a single with "Love Is Forever" as a B side. 

With his EMI contract about to expire, Williams decided to leave the shores of New Zealand in pursuit of an international standing in Australia. With him came Alan Galbraith, his new manager and producer of his three albums. Alan had recently taken up a new position with CBS Australia. After Williams's departure, EMI released the obligatory 'Greatest Hits' album late in 1977. In the years to follow he had quickly established himself in the lucrative session world of Sydney singing many radio and TV commercials and become a favoured back up vocalist on albums by major Australian talent, Renee Geyer, Jenny Morris, Eurogliders, Ian Moss, Richard Clapton, The Church and Sharon O'Neil. It wasn't until 1980 that his Australian album was released called 'Life after Dark', which spawned two singles. Williams also formed a Sydney based band called Boy Rocking signed to CBS. The band would go on to release two Australian singles. In 1988 on the verge of touring with the musical 'Cats', Mark made an eleventh-hour decision to instead tour with the Ian Moss band for the hugely successful 'Matchbook' tour.

1989 would see Williams break into television singing the theme song for the hit Australian soap Home and Away with Karen Boddington. Williams soon attempted to replicate the fully-fledged successful solo career he experienced in New Zealand. He was signed to Albert Productions (released through Sony) and began working on new material with Harry Vanda and George Young of The Easybeats. 1990 saw the release of the album 'Mark Williams ZNZ', which featured perhaps his best-known song, "Show No Mercy". Gone was the silky voice; it was a completely different sounding, Williams. The song went platinum and was chosen to launch the 1990 New South Wales Rugby League grand final. He went on to tour Australia and New Zealand and made an appearance on the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack singing "Time After Time" with Tara Morice.

 In 1996 he began coaching promising young Australian performers before again becoming involved in television, coaching Popstars performers for the Seven Network including the female pop group Bardot and culled hopefuls for Network Ten's Australian Idol. In 2005, Todd Hunter of the New Zealand rock band Dragon asked Williams to join the newly reformed band and in 2006 the new line up released 'Sunshine to Rain' through Liberation Music. They have been touring ever since. Williams currently lives in Sydney and is working on material for another album. Even today, his most popular hit "Show No Mercy" continues to be recognised as an inspirational song and is still used by many as a motivational anthem. It consistently features as a staple track on Australian Football League and National Rugby League CD compilations. In 2010, Williams was inducted into the ROCKONZ Hall of Fame.

SINGLES 
''Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life / Let Love Come Between Us'' 1975 EMI
''It Doesn't Matter Anymore / True Love (Is Never Easy)'' 1978 EMI
''Wanna Give You My Love / Your Mamma Won't Mind'' 1978 CBS
''I Don't Want You Anymore / Now That You've Gone'' 1979 CBS
''Throw Me A Line / You Took The Money'' 1980 CBS
''Christmas Is A Lucky Time / Jingle Bells (Traditional)'' 1985 Lucky
''Might Have Been'' [with Jenny Morris and Wendy Mathews] 1986 ABC
''Home And Away / Living In Summer Bay'' [with Karen Boddington] 1989 EMI
''Spell Is Broken (#115) / Fool No More'' 1990 Alberts
''Show No Mercy (#8) / You're So Cool'' 1990 Alberts
''Fix Of Love (#28) / Your Love'' 1990 Alberts

''We Can Dream'' (#95) 1992 Polydor

''Slow Dance / That's The Reason / Show No Mercy (Dance Mix)'' 1992 Alberts

ALBUMS 
'Mark Williams' 1975 EMI
'Taking It All In Stride' 1977 EMI
'Life After Dark' 1979 CBS
'Mark Williams ZNZ' (#45) 1990 Alberts
'Mind Over Matter' (#133) 1992 Alberts
'Show No Mercy' 1993 Polydor

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Williams_%28singer%29

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/