Your host, Gordon Hannon, was born in Hastings and went to Central Kindy in Warren Street, then on to nearby Central School and Hastings High School (in those days there was only one high-school accommodating both boys and girls).

In 1955 Gordon joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Service as a technical trainee in Napier. In 1959 he was transferred to Wellington and worked as an Outside Broadcast Technician covering parliamentary broadcasts; and events such as visits by heads of Governments, Royal Tours, sports, church services, orchestral and chamber-music concerts, pop shows and visiting overseas artists such as: The Beatles, Peter Paul and Mary, The Seekers, Patrick O'Hagan. Sometimes these duties included touring the lower North Island with the artists. As a senior technician in the Outside Broadcast Section, Gordon also took a portable studio around the central region to craft shows, Golden Shears, and Home Show displays.

In 1967 Gordon transferred back to Napier and remained with the NZBC (as it was then) until 1972. Both his parents were involved with New Zealand Girls Marching, so Gordon ran a sound-system for Hawke's Bay competitions. This extended to Wairoa and Gisborne. His parents were also involved with Greater Hastings, and Gordon joined that executive in 1969.

After five years working for an electronics wholesaler, Gordon joined the Hawke's Bay Electric Power Board as a Fault-Room receptionist, then communication officer until 1996.

Gordon and a like-minded sound-system friend combined to form Hawke's Bay Sound Systems Ltd in 1978, to initially supply sound for the Hastings and Wairoa racecourses. This has since expanded to Poverty Bay and all Hawke's Bay racecourses, along with horse sports in northern Waikato, Taupo and around Hawke's Bay itself; as well as other mainly outdoor events. While attending horse sports events, Gordon was invited to be a judge for showjumping events and has since become an official National Showjumping Judge.

Around 1999/2000, Gordon helped out with Art Deco Wireless in the window of Farmers in Napier. This led to an invitation from Radio Kidnappers management to host a similar two-hour programme - and so began "THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!"


Gordon, bringing us 3 hours of musical reminiscences every Thursday