Michael Murphy (singer)
- For other people with the same name, see Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy (born September 4, 1986, in Taupo, New Zealand) is the New Zealand Idol runner-up for 2004. Right from the start of the competition, Michael was a hot favourite with the majority of the voters being female and between the ages of 11-17. He was beaten to the post by Ben Lummis, whom he formed the closest bond with throughout the series.
Michael was persuaded to enter the competition by his mother, Nikki who has been his biggest fan right from the start. His father, Sean is also Michael's biggest fan along with his younger sister, Suzy and younger brother, Chris.
Michael was brought up on a farm in rural Taupo. He is Catholic and first sang at the age of five at midnight Mass. Michael was also one of the top achievers in NCEA Level 2 in 2003 and was deputy head boy in 2004 before Idol at his high school, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College.
Michael lists Lostprophets, The Beatles, Steriogram, Led Zeppelin and Queen as his favourite bands and it definitely shows in his style of music and dress.
Five star fallout
As of 2006, Michael has joined the band five star fallout as lead singer, and the band has released a single that has been well received by the ZM radio station, with the song winning the "ZM deathmatch" several times so far.
Discography
Album
- No Place To Land (2004) #22 NZ (Gold) (7,500+)
Singles
- So Damn Beautiful (2004) #1 NZ (Gold) (5,000+)
- Music Without A Song (2005) Failed to chart
- How Good Does It Feel (2005) Failed to chart
Songs performed on NZ Idol
- Auditions: Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House
- Heats: Drive by Incubus
- Contestants' Choice: Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
- Homegrown: Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
- Disco: Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
- Ballad: Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
- British Invasion: Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams
- Soul: (Sittin' On The) Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
- Rock: Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin and Wherever You Will Go by The Calling
- 80s: Should I Stay Or Should I Go? by The Clash and Angel of Harlem by U2
- Finals: Can't Take That Away (The NZ Idol Single) and One by U2