[2] At the 1985 New Zealand Music Awards, Annie Crummer, Debbie Harwood, Kim Willoughby, Dianne Swann, and Margaret Urlich formed a female vocal group.
Debbie Harwood told RipItUp writer Chris Bourke "The Cats is a break from getting our own stuff played, recorded and on the radio.
In 2001, the band reformed (minus Dianne Swann) and released a cover version of Sharon O'Neill's 1980 single "Asian Paradise".
Shortly after that, O'Neill returned their gesture by performing with them on the nationwide Paradise Tour including over three nights at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.
[6] In 2002, the group toured again, playing large outdoor shows and featured O'Neill along with Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie from Split Enz and choreography from Rietta Austin.