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Hanna's last ride to his plot
in the Blackwood cemetery |
Hanna's
last journey
12.3.16 - Blackwood cemetery
is a way out of town and I know a few musos couldn't
be there because of Port Fairy commitments, but
there was a good turnout anyway. The cemetery itself
is charming if a little unkempt, with Hanna's plot
down quite a steep hillside. We chatted with Ross,
Tania and Pat Wilson until the sound of a fiddle
playing a lament presaged Hanna's casket being carried
gingerly down the hill. (pic)
The service was simple but moving and Ange finished
off proceedings by telling his version of events
on the day of Ross' 'checking out' and saying some
words of farewell in Greek before the casket was
lowered into the grave. A man of few words and an
inspiration to many. |
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Chants'
guitarist dies
9.3.16 - I was already
numbed by yesterday's widely reported death of Ross
Hannaford when I got a call last night from former
Chants' guitarist Matt Croke's step-son Peter informing
me that Matt had died in his sleep earlier that
morning, Matt and I had kept touch over the years
and Matt's interest in buying and restoring guitars
had been to the benefit of both Bill and me - I
still use the Michael Kelly guitar on-stage with
Spectrum that Matt gave me a few years ago. In fact,
Matt had rung me only last Thursday to remind me
that he'd been given a gift card on retiring from
Ward McKenzie just over a month ago for which he
had no use and insisted that I might find it more
useful.
Matt was better known to us as Max Kelly when we
auditioned him for the guitar spot in The Chants
back in Christchurch circa 1965. Unbeknownst
to us he had unilaterally extended his furlough
from the RAAF for which misdemeanor he was eventually
reported to the authorities and escorted back to
Australia to face disciplinary proceedings and subsequent
discharge.
This unforseen circumstance decided me on uprooting
the band from its comfortable residency of two years
at The Stage Door to reunite with Matt in Melbourne
and try our luck on the local scene, which we did
in 1966.
The Chants survived a mere six months before the
band succumbed to the standard 'musical differences'
and split up, leading to my joining the two Rosses
in The Party Machine on bass guitar and ultimately
founding my own band, Spectrum, a couple of years
later.
It was a shock to learn of this gentle giant's death
and Maria and I extend our heart-felt condolences
to Margaret and Matt's family.
*See pic of Chants
R&B with Matt Croke |
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