Auckland music legend on East FM, from 3pm, Saturday
A good band always has a great bassist – the anchor to which everything revolves – and it’s with huge pleasure that we have Neil Hannan, one of the best bass players around – citizens – as NZ Music Month featured artist on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, 3-7pm (NZ time, May 27) on East FM.
As a music listener, I gravitate to basslines as much as melodies, as a drummer is inclined. Thinking how deep tones, bass beats and grooves can be locked into.
After 50 years, he’s a legend of the Auckland and NZ music scene, and on Neil Hannan’s music website www.sdlmusic.co.nz... there is telling philosophy, words of wisdom and experience:
‘It took a hell of a long time to be taken seriously. We really did have a cultural cringe in NZ produced music, but hard work and some bloody great albums, has seen that change.
‘Our main goal now is to help SDL music artists to release their material to digital media, giving them a platform like never before, to reach audiences all around the world.’
And this is great, from a true musician’s thinking: ‘It’s nice to be listened to, if that’s the gig, but really, if they’re not dancing, you’re not doing your job.’
Really looking forward to talking live with Neil Hannan on the phone at 3.30pm. He was going to come into the studio, but being a go-to muso, he’s got a gig Saturday evening.
There’s a lot of territory to chat about, as Neil has had a very successful, and no doubt, satisfying journey over half a century.
Versatile is probably his middle name, as he can playing anything, and especially rock, rhythm n’ blues, country and jazz, as well as produce, and he can slot into any line-up – rock group, orchestra, backing band, and jazz ensemble.
He’s played bars, cafes, lounges, town halls, festivals and stadiums in NZ, as well as touring in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, the UK and the USA, and has been in leading bands of their eras and styles – Red Mole, The Country Flyers, Coup D’Etat, Hello Sailor and the Legionnaires.
Known as one of the nation’s hardest-working backing and studio musicians, Neil’s toured and performed with an impressive rollcall – Gerry and the Pacemakers, Randy Crawford, Sir John Rowles, Renee Geyer, The Scots Dragoon Guards, Monica Mancini (daughter of Henry), The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Greg Bissonette, Roger Whitaker, Kenny Dale, The Rattlers, Julian Clary, Dame Malvina Major, Midge Marsden, the Rodger Fox Big Band, Hammond Gamble, and many more.
Throughout the show, we’ll feature tracks Neil Hannan has played on, and because it’s NZ Music Month, we’re only playing Kiwi music on She’ll Be Right in May.
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. And this Saturday, it’s with respect that we celebrate Neil Hannan Day. One for the bassists! - PJ
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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81.7% Same!
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18.3% Would have liked to try something different
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025
Please help me find other light shows and updating this list!
Times when the lights turn on/off is helpful.
Last updated: 19 December 2025 18:47.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
Add a display: [Google forms] forms.gle... , or comment: [Location], [Lights on/off times], [Other features].
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CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronized to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm[?] to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
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NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakaranga Heights.
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FEEDBACK REQUIRED FOR 2025.
These were confirmed in 2024:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Trains/miniature displays in the garage Wednesday to Sunday.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Sommerville. Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2025:
<none added so far>
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Please help find more houses and update this list!
Comment on this post.
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