Auckland music legend on East FM, from 3pm, Saturday

Phil from Farm Cove

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