LOCAL NEWS
David Hartnell: One minute interview with John McGough John McGough is a musician, DJ, MC, and vocalist who loves what he does and it shows. In 2009 with a fourth place and in 2017 with a second place, he represented New Zealand in the World Brass Band Championships. What is your family link with Grey Lynn? My Mum had a dance school in Pt Chev. and my Dad spend his university days living in Westmere. They married at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Lynn. As a young musician I used to go to Grey Lynn to listen to the great Rufus Rehu play his piano with his band. He was one of the few great jazz musicians, along with Joe Fingers Webster who played at the Birdcage tavern, and that encouraged me to get up and play with their bands. I was about 16 at the time and it was a huge experience for me. I think Rufus used to play at a bar called El Cortez. It was a tiny little bar opposite the Surrey Motor Inn before he moved to play at the Alambra. Life goes in a huge full circle; I used to be a regular performer at the Grey Lynn RSC. What was your childhood like? A lot of watching ballet dancers at my mother’s studio. When bored I would line the church hall chairs up where they practiced and play trains. Only my special dancing girl friends were invited to take a ride on my train. I use to go to the pictures at the Cameo movie theatre in Grey Lynn. Did you come from a show business background? Yes, from my mother’s side. What did your parents say when you wanted to go into show business? I first asked my dad if I could take up ballet. He put me in the car, took me down the road and bought me a rugby ball. It was then decided I should try a musical instrument. A movie about your life who would you like to play you? Bruce Willis. He has my hairstyle, but not my tummy. If your life was an ice cream, what would it be called? A trumpet of course. Something you disapprove of? Any form of drugs. They are evil! Biggest disappointment? My twenty year marriage failing. But I think I’ve learnt from it. If you won a million dollars? I’d buy a small two bedroom run down flat in Auckland preferably Ponsonby or Grey Lynn. Isn’t that what every Aucklander is doing for, that price? What do you think happens when we die? I have no idea. And I’m not planning on finding out any time soon. What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? Dances with Wolves. My attention span is not good and it was a very long movie so I went back to see it again. I can’t remember what it was about now but I’ve never done that with any other movie since. How do you chill out? With friends, watching a little tele or sipping a Coruba and Coke while looking at a spectacular view, either panoramic, my beautiful partner Cathy or my wonderful kids. Your favourite time of the day? My time. Tell us something very few people know about you. I fell through a glass window when I was two-years-old. At seven I had to have an operation to take more glass out around my left eye.
10 PONSONBY NEWS+ August 2020
The scars are still there today yet no one says they notice it. Maybe that’s because I’m getting older and they think they are just wrinkles. What cliché do you most hate? John really knows how to blow his own trumpet! I ask every journalist I meet to please leave that line out! What gizmo can you simply not live without? I’d live without any of them if I could trade it for good health. So far so good. Travel light or heavy? HEAVY! I think it’s all my hair products. Are you a handshake or a hug kind of person? Handshake. Definitely handshake. What is your comfort food? Did I mention chocolate? Oh, and you can’t beat a great pavlova. Your dream guest list for a dinner party and why? My mum and dad and my best friend Greg, all at the same table together. Sadly they have all passed on. If you could change one law or policy in New Zealand, what would it be? No telemarketers ringing me at home. PN (DAVID HARTNELL MNZM) PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
