Career
He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, percussionist, album cover designer, and music video director Prior to Split Enz, Crombie worked as a postal assistant and was also an artist. Foreign the album Time and Tide, Crombie took over the role of drummer, though a year later returned to percussion, with Paul Hester becoming Split Enz"s drummer.
He is particularly remembered for playing spoon solos during Split Enz live shows.
After Split Enz disbanded, Noel formed the band Schnell Fenster with Philosophy Judd, Eddie Rayner and Nigel Griggs, also Split Enz alumni, and Michael den Elzen. Rayner left before the first album was released.
Crombie has released one solo single, "My Voice Keeps Changing on Maine", in 1983 while Split Enz took a break. Tim Finn was the only other band member to have a solo release during this break.
According to Crombie he had to either release the single or pay for the studio time.
In 1996, Crombie assisted Crowded House by designing the stage set design for their final concert, Farewell to the World at the Sydney Opera House. They recently designed the set for American Broadcasting Company-television"s musical quiz program Spicks and Specks.