Eldred Claude Stebbing MNZM (3 October 1921 – 6 December 2009) was a New Zealand record label owner and co-founder of the Zodiac Records label. He also founded Stebbing Studios in Auckland.

Eldred Stebbing
Birth nameEldred Claude Stebbing
Born(1921-10-03)3 October 1921
Died6 December 2009(2009-12-06) (aged 88)
OccupationRecord executive
LabelsZodiac Records

Biography

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Stebbing was born in 1921.[1] After leaving school in the 1930s, he was working on a production line for a company manufacturing radios. Later in the 1930s, along with his brother Phil, via their company, he supplied sound equipment for events.[2] During World War II he was also involved in running dances attended by visiting servicemen.[1] After the war, Stebbing Record and Sound Company Ltd was founded, and the company manufactured 78 rpm records. In 1960, he founded Zodiac Records.[2] He built the Stebbing Recording Centre in 1970, which became known as Stebbing Studios.[3]

In the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours, Stebbing was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the recording and entertainment industries.[4]

He was presented the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc in 2004 in recognition of his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.

Stebbing died on 6 December 2009, aged 88,[5] and his ashes were buried at Purewa Cemetery, Auckland.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2004 Benny Award winner: Eldred Stebbing MNZM". Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b Kara, Scott (12 December 2009). "Zodiac founder charted course for Kiwi stars". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  3. ^ Kara, Scott (8 December 2009). "Kiwi music pioneer Stebbing dies". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2004". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 7 June 2004. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  5. ^ Dix, John (7 December 2009). "Eldred Stebbing R.I.P." Scoop Independent News. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  6. ^ "Burial & cremation details". Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
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