Story: Arts and social engagement

'Damn the dam' (1st of 4)

John Hanlon's song 'Damn the dam' was originally recorded as a jingle for a home-insulation advertisement. In 1973 it was adopted by environmentalists as a protest song against a government proposal to raise the water level of Lake Manapōuri for a hydro-electric dam. The song was named single of the year at that year's New Zealand music awards. This is John Hanlon in the early 1970s.

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Sound courtesy of John Hanlon

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How to cite this page:

Ben Schrader, 'Arts and social engagement - Criticising society', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/45288/damn-the-dam (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Ben Schrader, published 22 Oct 2014