Malcolm Black

Malcolm James Prentice Black ONZM (1961 – 10 May 2019) was a New Zealand musician and lawyer. He was a member of 1980s Dunedin band, Netherworld Dancing Toys, and was the first specialist music industry lawyer in New Zealand.[1]

Malcolm Black
ONZM
Birth nameMalcolm James Prentice Black
Born1961
Died (aged 58)
Auckland, New Zealand
Occupation(s)Lawyer
Associated actsNetherworld Dancing Toys

Early life and family

Born in 1961, Black was the son of James Alexander Prentice Black and Lesley Grace Wardell.[2] He grew up in the Dunedin suburb of Waverley, and was educated at Otago Boys' High School.[3] He went on to graduate with a law degree from the University of Otago.[4] Black was married to Julia, and the couple had four children.[4]

Netherworld Dancing Toys
Main article: Netherworld Dancing Toys

Black played in several bands while still at high school, and joined Netherworld Dancing Toys in 1982 as a singer and guitarist during his second year at university.[3] In 1985, the band released the single "For Today", which reached number 3 in the New Zealand singles chart, and has subsequently been described an "alternative national anthem".[5] Black and Nick Sampson won the 1985 APRA Silver Scroll for the song, but the group disbanded not long after.[3]

In 1986, Black joined Auckland law firm Russell McVeagh, before returning to the University of Otago three years later to study for a master's degree and work as a lecturer.[3] He also ran a music consultancy and began representing bands including Straitjacket Fits, The Chills, and The Verlaines.[3] Three years later, Black returned to Auckland, without having completed his master's, and established Sinclair Black, a specialist entertainment law firm, with Mick Sinclair in 1989.[3] In 1996, Black joined Sony Music New Zealand as director of artist and repertoire after the departure of Paul Ellis, and worked with artists including Che Fu, Dave Dobbyn, and Bic Runga.[3][6]

Black was involved in a review of NZ on Air in 2002, and in 2004 he set up Les Mills Music Licensing, supplying music for use in gyms in 80 countries.[5][6] He left Sony in 2009 to work in artist management, and co-managed Crowded House and Neil Finn.[6]

Black served on the APRA AMCOS board of directors.[6]

Later life and death
Julia Black (right) accepts the insignia of ONZM on behalf of her late husband, from the governor-general, Patsy Reddy, in September 2019

Black was diagnosed with bowel cancer after attending the 2017 APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Dunedin.[7] In 2018, he performed "For Today" with a reformed Netherworld Dancing Toys at the APRA Silver Scrolls, and in 2019 he recorded an album, "Songs for My Family".[1][5] In the 2019 New Year Honours, Black was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the music industry.[8] He died from bowel cancer in Auckland on 10 May 2019.[2][6][9]

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References
  1. "For Today singer and music industry lawyer Malcolm Black ONZM dies". 1NewsNow. TVNZ. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  2. "Malcolm Black death notice". New Zealand Herald. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  3. "Malcolm Black profile". Audio Culture. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  4. "Neil Finn says former manager Malcolm Black's 'generous spirit' will live on". Stuff.co.nz. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  5. Steel, Gary (10 May 2019). "Malcolm Black: A man who was so much more than just For Today". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  6. "Malcolm Black: fair-minded and humble NZ music hero". RNZ Music. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  7. "Netherworld Dancing Toys frontman Malcolm Black dies". New Zealand Herald. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  8. "New Year honours list 2019". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  9. Butcher, Nick (15 May 2019). "Malcolm James Prentice Black, 1961 - 2019". lawsociety.org.nz. Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
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