Loxene Golden Disc


The Loxene Golden Disc was an annual New Zealand music award. It ran from 1965 to 1972. It was superseded by the Recording Arts Talent Awards.

Background

The awards launched in 1965 and is the forerunner of the New Zealand Music Awards. It was created by the advertising agency of British multi-national company Reckitt & Colman, with support from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industries and the Australasian Performing Right Association, with the awards named after Reckitt & Colman's anti-dandruff shampoo, Loxene.
10 finalist songs were selected annually by a panel, with the winner decided by a public vote. While initially only one prize was given, other awards were added, including categories for record cover, recording artist of the year, and a producer award. From 1969, two awards were given - one to a solo artist, the other to a group however there was still one supreme award.
In 1965 and 1966 compilation LPs with tracks by annual finalists were released by Viking Records, with the 1970, 1971 and 1972 LPs released by HMV on behalf of the industry.

Broadcasts

The television broadcast of the 1972 show won the 1973 Feltex Award for Best Light Entertainment.

Last awards

The final Loxene Golden Disc awards were presented in 1972. In 1973 the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industry created its own awards, the Recording Arts Talent Awards.

1965

The first Golden Discs ceremony was broadcast on radio, live from the White Heron Lodge in Wellington on 25 November 1965. An earlier television programme featured the 10 finalists performing their songs live in studio.
The 1966 award was again held at the White Heron Lodge in Wellington, on 9 November 1966. The event was broadcast live on radio. The night before, the finalist performed on an hour-long television special.
The awards were held for the final time at the White Heron Lodge on 4 November 1967. A television programme previewing the 10 finalists screened two days before the ceremony. Instead of the studio performances of previous years, the show used video clips of the artists performing their songs.
In 1968 the awards ceremony moved to Auckland, with the Golden Disc presented at the Intercontinental Hot on 7 November 1968. The awards also included a Cover of The Year award, but there is no record of who won this. The award were broadcast live on television and simulcast on NZBC radio stations.
The awards were again held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Auckland, on 15 October 1969. Three news awards were introduction - secondary awards for the best group and best solo artist, as well as an award for the best producer.
YearArtistSongAward
1965Ray Columbus & the Invaders"Till We Kissed"Golden Disc
1966Maria Dallas"Tumblin' Down"Golden Disc
1967Mr Lee Grant"Thanks to You"Golden Disc
1968Allison Durbin"I Have Loved me a Man"Golden Disc
1969Shane"Saint Paul"Golden Disc
1970Craig Scott"Let's Get a Little Sentimental"Solo
1970Hogsnort Rupert"Pretty Girl"Group and Golden Disc
1971Craig Scott"Smiley"Solo and Golden Disc
1971Chapta"Say a Prayer"Group
1972Suzanne"Sunshine Through a Prism"Solo
1972Creation"Carolina"Group and Golden Disc