Margaret Urlich (born in Auckland, New Zealand on January 24, 1965), is a New Zealand-Australian singer. Starting out as lead vocalist for New Zealand band Peking Man, she achieved considerable commercial success with numerous chart-topping hits, before moving to Australia in 1998, where she recorded her debut studio album Safety in Numbers, released on August 11, 1989. The album rose to number 4 and 5 on the New Zealand and Australian album charts respectively and awarded triple platinum, winning several awards in the New Zealand Music Awards including Album of the Year. In 1990, Urlich featured in Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite’s pop anthem “The Horses” and in 1991, was awarded an ARIA Award for Best Breakthrough Artist, recording Chameleon Dreams in London and Los Angeles. The album was released on September 25, 1992, reaching number 5 on the ARIA charts, earning her a nomination for Best Female Artist at the 1993 ARIA awards. In 1994, Urlich took some time away from recording, performing the role of Mary Magdalene in the New Zealand production of Jesus Christ Superstar before releasing her fourth studio album The Deepest Blue in July 1995. Returning to Australia, she collaborated with singer Eddie Rayner on cover album Second Nature, released in May 1999, achieving platinum status in New Zealand. Retiring from professional singing at the height of her fame, Urlich took up a position as a high school music teacher. After battling cancer for two and a half years, she died on August 22, 2022 at the age of 57.
