Willie Hona of Herbs from Willies Facebook page

R.I.P. Willie Hona of Herbs at Age 70

by Paul Cashmere on May 8, 2024

Willie Hona, singer and guitarist for New Zealand reggae band Herbs, has died at age 70 from pancreatic cancer.

Willie was born Wiremu Hona in Rawene, New Zealand in 1953. He began his career in Face with Mark Williams, who now fronts Dragon.

Hona joined Herbs in 1983 for their third album ‘Long Ago’. Their biggest hit was ‘Slice of Heaven’ from the Footrot Flats movie featuring Dave Dobbyn on vocals.

Hona was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame with Herbs in 2012.

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE11.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Tagged as: 80s, Herbs, New Zealand, reggae, Willie Hona

Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes Dies At Age 65

John Sykes, the former guitarist for Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy has died at the age of 65 from cancer.

1 day ago

Edwyn Collins Premieres First Song Since 2019 ‘Knowledge’

Edwyn Collins, the former lead singer of 80s post-punk band Orange Juice, and who had a massive hit in 1994 with ‘A Girl Like You’ has a new song ‘Knowledge’.

2 days ago

Def Leppard Play Without Vivian Campbell As He Undergoes Cancer Treatment

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell missed the band's first concert of 2025 due to his recovery from cancer treatment.

2 days ago

Scorpions Cancel Vegas Show Due To Mikkey Dee’s Sepsis

Scorpions have postponed their Las Vegas residency so drummer Mikkey Dee can continue his recovery after being hospitalised with life-threatening sepsis.

2 days ago

Sammy Hagar Quits Touring

Sammy Hagar has quit touring. Hagar hit the road last year for his 'The Best Of All Worlds' tour - which covered the US, Canada and Japan - and he's preparing to launch the show as a residency which will run from April 30 until May 17 at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas - and he's now insisted he's sick of travelling and just wants to perform one-off concerts and residencies which allow him to stay in one place.

4 days ago