11 Facts About Alastair Riddell

Alastair Riddell was born on 1952 and is a New Zealand singer-songwriter.

Alastair Riddell has a singing style that was likened to a combination of Bryan Ferry and David Bowie.

In 1968, Riddell started a newsletter called "Bluesnews" and organised the First National Blues Convention, held at Mollers Farm in Oratia, Auckland.

In 1971, while studying at Auckland University, Alastair Riddell formed the Psychedelic Art rock band Orb.

In 1974, Alastair Riddell formed the glam rock band Space Waltz.

In 1978, the self titled album Alastair Riddell was released on the Mandrill label.

The Alastair Riddell Band consisted of Riddell on lead guitar, synthesizer, and vocals, John Treseder on guitar, Gavin Beardsmore on bass, Noel Lamberton on drums and Ruth Hall on backing vocals.

Alastair Riddell twice declined invitations to join Split Enz, the first time to replace guitarist Wally Wilkinson in 1975, and then again in 1977 when Phil Judd left the band, with Neil Finn subsequently taking the position.

In 2012, Alastair Riddell directed The Last Stop, a short film set in 1950s New Zealand which featured his wife Vanessa.

Alastair Riddell joined a brief David Bowie tribute tour in 2016 with Jordan Luck, Finn Andrews, Eddie Rayner and others, the same year "Fraulein Love" featured in the trailer for Taika Waititi's 2016 film Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

In November 2024, Alastair Riddell disclosed that he was battling prostate cancer.