Topp Twins
Encyclopedia
The Topp Twins are the folk singing sister comedy duo of New Zealand
entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp.
They are known for their country music
influenced style, live shows and television performances. They are openly lesbian. They often perform as characters, the most notable being the cross-dressing "Ken and Ken", and "Camp Mother and Camp Leader".
The Topp Twins have performed as a country music-singing comedy duo for more than 25 years. In the late 1990s, they created their own TV series, which ran for three seasons and showcased their iconic cast of Kiwi characters, including Camp Mother, the Bowling Ladies and cross-dressing Ken and Ken. The series won the twins several awards at the NZ Film and TV Awards and screened on the ABC and Foxtel in Australia.
Their feature film Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley, was released in April 2009. It broke all previous records for opening day, and opening weekend, for a NZ documentary. After just four weeks at the box office, it made over $1 million. The movie was produced by Arani Cuthbert.
in October 2006 at the age of 48. Originally examined by a physician in January 2006, nothing was done as it was not detected by a mammogram. Topp was diagnosed seven months later when the breast cancer showed up with an ultrasound
exam. She recovered well after receiving a mastectomy
in October 2006 and several months of chemotherapy
.
She and her sister Lynda were already breast cancer activists and continue to use their celebrity to educate the public about the disease.
at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Auckland in September 2008. This award was given as a lifetime achievement award for songwriting, and the fact that their songs and music have had an impact on New Zealand culture during their careers which span more than 25 years.
In 2011 Wintec
awarded the twins honorary masters
degrees, in 2011, Waikato University awarded them honorary doctorates.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp.
They are known for their country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
influenced style, live shows and television performances. They are openly lesbian. They often perform as characters, the most notable being the cross-dressing "Ken and Ken", and "Camp Mother and Camp Leader".
The Topp Twins have performed as a country music-singing comedy duo for more than 25 years. In the late 1990s, they created their own TV series, which ran for three seasons and showcased their iconic cast of Kiwi characters, including Camp Mother, the Bowling Ladies and cross-dressing Ken and Ken. The series won the twins several awards at the NZ Film and TV Awards and screened on the ABC and Foxtel in Australia.
Their feature film Untouchable Girls, directed by Leanne Pooley, was released in April 2009. It broke all previous records for opening day, and opening weekend, for a NZ documentary. After just four weeks at the box office, it made over $1 million. The movie was produced by Arani Cuthbert.
Breast cancer
Jools Topp was diagnosed with breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in October 2006 at the age of 48. Originally examined by a physician in January 2006, nothing was done as it was not detected by a mammogram. Topp was diagnosed seven months later when the breast cancer showed up with an ultrasound
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
exam. She recovered well after receiving a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
in October 2006 and several months of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
.
She and her sister Lynda were already breast cancer activists and continue to use their celebrity to educate the public about the disease.
Awards
The Topp Twins were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of FameNew Zealand Music Hall of Fame
The New Zealand Music Hall of Fame is a hall of fame dedicated to noteworthy musicians from New Zealand. The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand and Australasian Performing Right Association announced their intentions to create the hall of fame in August 2007...
at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards in Auckland in September 2008. This award was given as a lifetime achievement award for songwriting, and the fact that their songs and music have had an impact on New Zealand culture during their careers which span more than 25 years.
In 2011 Wintec
Wintec
Wintec are an Australian saddle manufacturer - the manufacturer of the first synthetic saddles..The company is a subsidiary of Bates Australia, originally established in 1934, and are known for their innovative approach to saddle manufacturing, in particular the synthetic "Wintec"...
awarded the twins honorary masters
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
degrees, in 2011, Waikato University awarded them honorary doctorates.
Discography
- the Topp Twins Go Vinyl (1982) Vinyl record
- the Topp Twins Go Vinyl OFFICIAL NUCLEAR FREE RE-ISSUE. Plus two extra songs. (1982) Vinyl Record
- Two tracks on Out of the corners (Web Women's Collective,1982)
- Twinset and Pearls (1984) Vinyl Record
- " No War in my Heart" (1986) cassette
- " Wear Something Sexy" (1990) cassette EP
- " Hightime" (1992) cassette
- Two Timing (1994) CD
- Grass Highway (2000) CD
- Flowergirls & CowgirlsFlowergirls & cowgirlsFlowergirls & Cowgirls is an album released by New Zealand twin musicians, Topp Twins in 2005.-Track listing:#"Local Farmhand"#"Natural State"#"Sad Dog"#"Long Distance Love"#"Shepherds Farewell"#"Tamworth"#"Bridle Hanging on the Wall"#"Hightime"...
(2005) CD - Honky Tonk Angel (2009) CD
External links
- Topp Twins TV show on NZ On ScreenNZ On ScreenNZ On Screen is an online showcase of archival New Zealand television and film. The website is fully funded by NZ On Air and provides free worldwide access to NZ-produced television, film and music videos. Content is streamed and the webpages provide authoritative background information.The site...
. - Biography of Jools Topp
- Biography of Lynda Topp