When the Cat's Away

When the Cat's Away were a New Zealand female vocal group, supergroup and covers band formed in 1985. They are best known for their cover of the Blue Mink assimilationist song "Melting Pot", which became a New Zealand number one hit for them in 1988. In 2021, the band members were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. Background At the 1985 New Zealand Music Awards, Annie Crummer, Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby, Dianne Swann, and Margaret Urlich formed a female vocal group. In 2004 Dianne Swann reflected on their start: "The idea formed to get together, have some fun and sing a bunch of songs that we like, learn some harmonies. I don’t think anybody pictured it as being as popular as it became." When The Cat's Away debuted at Auckland's Wildlife in September 1986. Soon after they were performing more frequently at bigger venues, before signing a two singles and live album deal with CBS Records.