Interview with Gary Daverne

Gary Daverne was born in Auckland, in 1939. Provides family history. Recounts contracting polio as child, treatment and early study of music. Talks about rock and roll music, Johnny Devlin, saxophone auditions with Red Hewitt and the Buccaneers in 1959, Peter Cox, running dances in local RSA hall with acts including the Cavaliers, Freddy Kyle, the Silhouettess and the Sierras, his cousin Eldred Stebbing and their record labels Zodiac and Viscount. Mentions Audion label. Outlines accountancy training, teachers training college, winning American Field Service scholarship, teaching in Auckland and playing with the Symphony Orchestra, brass and pipe bands.

Talks about Showtime Spectaculars mentioning the Howard Morrison Quartet, the Keil Isles and touring as part of the Ronny Sunden Band with Mike Kelly, Keith Graham and Glynn Tucker. Mentions name change to the Embers. Touches on Allied Universal Productions record label co owned with Barry Spencer. Talks about recording processes and changes from the 1960's. Describes role of a music director. Discusses Kathie Howe, the Lever Hit Parade, Justin Du Fresne, Selywn Toogood, Ian Saxton, the Bridge City Jazzmen and the Ridge Runners within his role as producer. Outlines period spent in United Kingdom from 1966, study at trinity college and return to New Zealand 1971.

Describes return to teaching and job arranging and writing music for Television New Zealand, including time conducting and composing music. Names productions Cats of Ponsonby and Didikai. Talks about return to Viscount record label as producer, writing jingles, work with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Choral Society and composing for the piano accordian.

Refers to Bernie Allen, Tony Baker, Wayne Senior, the Glendwellers, the Supremes, the Sharelles, the Rondelles, the Jaynettes, Mr Lee Grant, Jess Chandler, the Breakaways, Helen Shapiro, the Chicks and the Gremlins.

Access Contact - see oral history librarian

Interviewer(s) - Roger Watkins

Venue - Herne Bay, Auckland

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005006-005008; OHLC-001132-001134

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-2098.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-001132 - OHLC-001134