The story of Napier’s Top Hat has been recounted in various printed news media over the years but never has the successful nightclub’s story been heard from the mouths of those involved in its operation.
That changed when Napier retailer Dean Mardon who owns Electric City Music and who has produced various radio programmes for Radio Kidnappers enlisted the help of the Top Hat’s former owner and manager Bernie Meredith to tell the nightclub's story in his own words.
The result is a 30-minute radio documentary filled with music from resident band Johnny & The Contacts, along side interviews with Kevin Tasker who was the drummer with The Len Whittle Combo, Grant Galgey – singer, guitarist and keyboards with The Matloes and John Walker and John Lindsay both from Johnny & The Contacts.
Some of the stories featured include: The Avengers Dance, Coca Cola In Hawkes Bay, The Beachcombers Dance, The Chicks Weekend, Mr Lee Grant. Combined with Bernie Meredith’s account of how the night spot got started, the interviews make a memorable programme, linked together with Dean Mardon’s narration.
The participants:
Bernie Merdith – Owner / Manger of The Top Hat 1961 – 1970. Photo: Supplied
John Lindsay – Rhythm Guitar & Vocals with Johnny & The Contacts from 1963 – 1967. Photo: Supplied
Grant Galgey – Keyboards, Guitar & Vocals with The Matloes. Photo: Supplied
Kevin Tasker – Drummer for the Len Whittle Combo in the mid 1960s. Photo: Supplied
