Sir Dave Dobbyn reveals Parkinson's diagnosis: 'Have felt a little shaky for a while now'

Kiwi musical icon Sir Dave Dobbyn has announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The 65-year-old wrote in social media post, "I have felt a little shaky for a while now and in July I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

"I've found it gives me a wider appreciation of life. Of late I have a tremor in my right hand which gives my guitar playing a new kind of twang. I have to do what I love, so it's business as usual and on with the show, singing all the way."

The music legend went onto reveal that he’s not letting the diagnosis stop him from doing what he loves most – music.

Dobbyn said he is keeping his plans to perform live in Brisbane .

“My great band arrives in the studio tomorrow ahead of our jaunt to Brisbane for the UB40 (Ali Campbell) show,” he added. “All good.”

Dobbyn is also set to headline Hawke's Bay's Christmas in the Park Concert this December.

Fellow Kiwi musos and fans were quick to share their support for Dobbyn.

"We all love you! Shaky and proud," Anika Moa wrote in the comments section of his post.

"Love you David, you are an inspiration as always mate," musician Samuel Flynn Scott wrote.

While Riki Morris added: "Love you David. We are all here for you, right by your side, every step of the way."

Dobbyn burst onto the scene with Th' Dudes in 1979, and enjoyed further success with his band DD Smash and then as a solo artist.

Dobbyn has written the soundtrack to kiwi lives, with a string of hits including ‘Beside You’, ‘Be Mine Tonight’ ‘Language’, ‘Outlook for Thursday’, ‘Loyal’, ‘Whaling’, ‘Kingdom Come’, ‘It Dawned On Me’, ‘Guilty’, ‘Devil You Know’, ‘Slice of Heaven’, ‘Magic What She Do’, ‘Oughta Be in Love’ , ‘Welcome Home’.

He was knighted in 2020 and appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for services to music.

Our thoughts are with Dave as he processes his diagnosis.

- Additional reporting by NZ Herald.