Dame Jools died on 25 May, aged 68, after living with breast cancer. She and twin sister Dame Lynda had delighted audiences for decades as the Topp Twins. In an emotional speech at the Aotearoa Music Awards three days later, Lynda Topp paid tribute to her sister and their strong bond. “Being a twin is such a beautiful thing to be,” she said. “Not once in that 40 years did we ever rehearse.” The Celebration of Dame Jools Topp will be held in Auckland on
Friday. Here’s the lowdown on who’s invited and what to expect. What is happening? At 2pm on Friday 19 June, the Auckland Viaduct Events Centre will fill with whānau, friends, fellow artists and fans of Dame Jools. Broadcaster Miriama Kamo will MC the memorial event, expected to run for about 90 minutes. Who is invited? About 1650 people are expected to fill the waterfront venue, including Jools’ sister, Dame Lynda Topp, former prime minister Helen Clark and musicians Tami Neilson, Neil Finn, Hollie Smith, Anika
Moa, Annie Crummer, Bella Kalolo and composer Mereana Pitman. Other VIP guests include Labour leader Chris Hipkins and deputy Carmel Sepuloni, Green Party co-leaders Chloe Swarbrick and Marama Davidson, and Green MP Steve Abel. Performers Oscar Kightley, Chris Parker, Edward Cowley and Michele A’Court will be there too.
Dame Jools Topp, Aotearoa Music Awards, Lynda Topp, Auckland Viaduct Events Centre, Miriama Kamo, breast cancer, Topp Twins