Tim Finn

Brian Timothy Finn is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, musician, and composer who has shaped the sound of Australasian rock for over five decades. He stands as a founding member of Split Enz and a key creative force behind his brother Neil Finn's band Crowded House. At age 74, he remains an active performer and archivist, recently drawing global attention for unearthing lost recordings from the late Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett.

Finn's career is defined by a unique blend of art-rock theatricality and sophisticated pop songwriting. While often overshadowed by the massive commercial success of Crowded House or the new wave hits of Split Enz, his individual contributions as a lead vocalist and primary lyricist remain foundational to the region's musical identity. He continues to tour internationally, releasing solo material and collaborating with artists across generations. [edit]

Born into a household where music was a daily language, Brian Timothy Finn grew up in Te Awamutu, a small town in the Waikato region of New Zealand. His father Bill worked as a school principal and actively encouraged the artistic ambitions of his four sons. Tim attended St Peter's College in Auckland, where his path initially diverged from music. He enrolled at the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland to study painting, displaying a serious aptitude for visual arts that would later inform the theatrical staging of his bands.

The pivot to music happened organically during his university years. In 1972, while still a student, he co-founded Split Enz with Phil Judd. The group began not as a standard rock outfit but as a quirky, cabaret-style act that rejected mainstream conventions. Finn served as the initial sole lead singer and primary songwriter, crafting early songs that mixed new wave sensibilities with comedy and drama. Before gaining international traction, the band spent years touring extensively across New Zealand and Australia, building a cult following through their DIY ethos and distinctively theatrical live performances. [edit]

Split Enz achieved their first major breakthrough with the 1980 album True Colours, which featured the hit single "I See Red." During this period, Finn wrote classics like "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" and "I Hope I Never," establishing himself as a premier songwriter in the region. In 1983, while still performing with the band, he released his debut solo album Escapade. It became a commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Fraction Too Much Friction" and "Made My Day," which showcased his ability to craft catchy, sophisticated pop outside the band's theatrical framework.

In early 1984, Finn left Split Enz to pursue a solo career, though he briefly rejoined for their farewell tour later that year. His departure marked a shift in the band's direction toward a more polished pop sound under his brother Neil's influence. By 1989, Finn had reunited with Neil for the recording of Crowded House's third album, Woodface. He co-wrote the majority of the album, including enduring hits like "Four Seasons in One Day," "Weather with You," and "It's Only Natural." This collaboration represented a peak in sibling songwriting chemistry.

Following Crowded House's hiatus, Tim and Neil formed the Finn Brothers, releasing two albums together in 1996 and 2006. Finn continued his solo work with releases such as The Deep Blue Sea (1999) and Tall Poppy Syndrome (2010). As of 2026, he remains active, teasing a potential final Split Enz album and recently releasing the posthumous EP Some Times featuring unreleased tracks with Chrissy Amphlett discovered in his home studio. [edit]

Tim Finn is portrayed as a thoughtful, introspective artist who values authenticity over celebrity. Media coverage often highlights his humility and his deep connection to his New Zealand heritage. His social media voice is conversational and nostalgic, often sharing anecdotes from his past. He maintains a laid-back persona, often seen in casual, bohemian attire like jeans and t-shirts, reflecting his roots. Unlike some contemporaries, he avoids the trappings of excessive fame, focusing instead on the craft of songwriting and archival preservation. [edit]

iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). He is not on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list. The fanbase for Tim Finn does not have an officially designated name. Fans generally refer to themselves as "Split Enz fans" or "Crowded House fans," with a subset specifically identifying as "Finn Brothers" supporters. The audience is highly organized around nostalgia and archival releases, with fan campaigns successfully pushing for reissues of rare tracks. Finn is known for engaging directly with fans at meet-and-greets, often signing autographs and sharing stories about the writing process. [edit]

The title of his famous song "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" was inspired by a real-life experience of living in a boat in New Zealand during his student days. Before becoming a musician, Finn was a serious painter whose artwork has been exhibited in galleries in both Auckland and Melbourne. The Chrissy Amphlett tapes were found in a box labeled "Miscellaneous," highlighting his meticulous but informal storage habits. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 alongside his brother Neil for services to music. A notable Melbourne home associated with his Woodface era was listed for sale in 2026, suggesting a liquidity event for the artist. [edit]

Tim Finn is the eldest of four sons born to Bill Finn, a school principal, and his mother. His younger brothers are Neil Finn, the frontman of Crowded House, and Michael Finn, also a former member of Split Enz. The family dynamic has deeply influenced his music, with the brothers frequently collaborating throughout their careers. Tim was previously married to Gail Finn, with whom he had children before their divorce in the early 1990s. He is currently married to Liz Finn, a former model and actress who has supported him since the mid-1990s. They reside in Melbourne, Australia. Tim has three children, including daughter Megan Finn, who is involved in the arts, and son Sam Finn, who has appeared in music videos. [edit]

Neil Finn, Phil Judd, Chrissy Amphlett, Liz Finn, Paul Hester. [edit]

Tim Finn has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to some of his contemporaries, focusing on his family and creative output. He was previously married to Gail Finn, and they had children together before their marriage ended in divorce in the early 1990s. Details regarding their specific timeline are kept out of the public eye. Following his divorce, he met Liz Finn through mutual friends in the Australian music scene. They began dating in the mid-1990s and have been together ever since. Liz, a former model and actress, has supported Tim throughout his solo tours and the Finn Brothers era. As of 2026, Tim Finn is married to Liz Finn. There are no reports of separation or divorce, and they continue to reside in Melbourne. [edit]

As of 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Tim Finn's fortune at around $4.5 million. This estimate reflects his long-standing career earnings, royalty streams, and recent asset movements. A significant portion of his income comes from songwriting royalties for Split Enz and Crowded House hits, which continue to generate steady revenue globally. Recent tours in 2025-2026, including the "Lost Tapes" tour, have contributed significantly to his earnings.

Finn owns property in Melbourne and New Zealand. A notable Melbourne home associated with his Woodface era is currently listed for sale in 2026, suggesting liquidity events. He has also invested in local music venues and production companies in New Zealand. The discovery of the Chrissy Amphlett tapes has sparked renewed interest in his catalog, potentially boosting future royalty flows. [edit]

Finn's accolades are primarily national honors and lifetime achievement awards rather than competitive industry trophies. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993 for services to music. He has won multiple APRA Silver Scroll Awards for songwriting excellence, including for "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" and "I See Red." He was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame and the ARIA Hall of Fame as a member of Split Enz and Crowded House. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Zealand Music Awards in 2012. [edit]