Kevin Black (1943–18 February 2013), known professionally as Blackie, was a

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

radio broadcaster. A former breakfast host on

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about ...

Radio Hauraki Radio Hauraki is a New Zealand rock music station that started in 1966. It was the first private commercial radio station of the modern broadcasting era in New Zealand and operated illegally until 1970 to break the monopoly held by the state-o ...

, he was once the highest-paid private radio DJ in New Zealand. Black left

St. Patrick's College, Wellington St Patrick's College is a Roman Catholic boys' secondary school in New Zealand. History Founded by Archbishop Francis Redwood Society of Mary (Marists), SM, St Patrick's opened on 1 June 1885 with nine day pupil, day-boys and twelve boarders. ...

at the age of 15, and was a seaman with the

British Merchant Navy The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom and comprises the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard ...

, before moving into radio. Black died suddenly on 18 February 2013 after suffering a suspected heart attack at his home in

Remuera Remuera is an affluent inner city suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located four kilometres southeast of the city centre. Remuera is characterised by many large houses, often Edwardian or mid 20th century. A prime example of a "leafy" sub ...

, Auckland, just a few days short of his 70th birthday. His last on-air role was at the 60s and 70s radio station Solid Gold, where he worked from 1997 until his retirement in 2009.

Music

In 1981, Black and Co. recorded a parody version of the Deane Waretini hit " The Bridge", which was released on the RTC label. It was credited to Kevin Blackatini and the Frigids. A collection of his

prank calls entitled ''Kevin Black's Gold Solids'' was released on vinyl in 1982. This was followed by ''Hotline Loonacy'' (1985) and ''Phoney Business'' (1988).

External links

Now To Love, interview with widow 2013

References

1943 births 2013 deaths New Zealand radio presenters British Merchant Navy personnel People educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington People from Auckland {{NewZealand-radio-bio-stub