Biography
Tim Finn's life and music have experienced many highs and lows. Born in 1952 in New Zealand to working-class parents, Tim developed a passion for music early on. In 1972, he formed his first band, Split Enz, with some university friends. Split Enz drew heavy inspiration from the popular Australian band Skyhooks, adopting their flamboyant costumes, quirky songs, and antics, which led to some harsh criticism. Initially, Tim intended to name the band "Split Ends" but changed it to "Split Enz" to highlight their New Zealand roots. As the lead singer, Tim saw moderate success in Australia and New Zealand, but true breakthrough came after his younger brother Neil joined the band, a development that brought Tim both pride and a touch of jealousy over Neil's talent. Split Enz lasted from 1972 to 1983, after which Tim released his acclaimed debut solo album, Escapade, to rave reviews. He then focused on his solo career for several years. In 1983, Tim began dating actress Greta Scacchi and started composing film scores, a longtime interest of his. His most notable acting role was a brief appearance in The Coca-Cola Kid (1985), and Greta helped him secure a fleeting cameo as a bandleader in White Mischief. Tim's highly publicized relationship with Scacchi ended in 1989, coinciding with the commercial failure of his self-titled solo album, which plunged him into a year-long depression where he turned to alcohol for solace. With support from Neil, Tim regained his footing. After Split Enz disbanded, Neil formed Crowded House in 1985 with drummer Paul Hester and bassist Nick Seymour. Although Neil and Tim had planned a Finn Brothers album, Neil struggled with writer's block and the timing of the project. He then proposed adding Tim as a fourth member of Crowded House for their new album. Tim embraced this opportunity, reuniting with Neil to co-write much of Crowded House's critically acclaimed album Woodface, which was a major success and restored Tim's confidence to pursue his solo career. Crowded House released their final studio album in 1993, with Tim contributing minimally and not as a full member. Since then, Tim has primarily focused on his solo work, though he assisted former Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner on his 1996 solo album. In 1997, Tim married New Zealand TV personality Marie Azcona, and they have two children together. While Tim continues to record solo albums, his recent releases have not matched the success of his earlier career.
