Thanks For The Memory - PBA FM 89.7

17/11/2025

An interesting new book about to be launched by Bruce, long-time presenter on PBA-FM and guru on the SA cinema industry and community...

I have had the pleasure of proof reading the new book: "South Australian Picture Theatres and Drive-ins" by author Scott Smith.
Inspired by the page, "SA Drive-ins and Cinemas".
If you have enjoyed this site, you will love the book. It bought back many memories of my time working in the industry. I especially enjoyed looking at the many never before seen photo's which has been shared by many people interviewed. The personal memories, funny stories and theatre/drive-in facts was great to read. You might be a fan, an enthusiast or just like going to the movies. You will love this totally 100% South Australian book. First ever book of it's kind for South Australia.
Bruce Richmond, "SA Drive-ins and Cinemas".

Looking Back: South Australian Picture Theatres and Drive-ins.

🍿 A professionally designed "coffee table" book
🍿 Around 400 colour pages wrapped in a hard cover with a funky slip-case and painted page edges!
🍿 Every drive-in is covered!
🍿 Never before seen photos of some of those iconic South Australian venues!
🎥🎥 Pre-Order details will be released soon with a special bonus for pre-order sales only! 🎥🎥
Be sure to follow https://www.facebook.com/lookingbackpublications and https://www.facebook.com/SADriveinsAndCinemas for pre-order details and sneak previews in the coming weeks.

12/11/2025

Just sharing this interesting FB page which is dedicated to memories of Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth. https://www.facebook.com/share/1BvNJ7T1Ea/

02/06/2025

Sadly I have been advised by management of radio PBA FM that the edition of Thanks For The Memory broadcast last Monday night at 9pm (the last Monday of May 2025) is to be the last show to be put to air on a Monday night. I'm not sure what will go to air at 9pm tonight (Monday 2 June 2025), perhaps last weeks show might get another airing? Certainly in future it should be worth keeping tabs on the PBA FM website and the PBA FM page to see what future entertainment will go to air at 9pm each Monday night.

I can only speak for myself, as a fellow volunteer at community radio PBA-FM, to say that with agreement with and encouragement from Gary, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be one of several people who have helped to keep Gary's show on the air, with my input being some (hopefully imperceptible) edits to each show before broadcast.

Since September 2019, every week, Richard, Steve and (in recent times) Bronwen have been the essential link in placing another one of Gary's back catalogue of shows into the inscrutable "music machine" which dwells at Wiltshire St, Salisbury, for it to go to air again as scheduled at 9pm the following Monday evening.

It is fair to say that any community is a gathering of people, and that gathering of people will almost always be greater than the sum of it's parts. A healthy community radio station is one such gathering of people - and in this increasingly "networked" and "standardised" world, your local community radio station can be a diverse patchwork local voices, entertainment and information.

David

EDIT: if you wish to hear the music which was scheduled for tonight's show, I have compiled the available music as a playlist on the Spotify website here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pxgyP7mNCUUjLkYSh5fc7?si=f2c657f25c76492c

26/05/2025

Tonight (26 May 2025), Thanks For The Memory starts with a memory from the Adelaide-born bass-baritone, Peter Dawson – “When the Sergeant-Major's on parade”. Peter Dawson recorded and released this song at least a couple of times – first in 1926 on a 78 backed with “The boys of the old brigade”; then later in 1939 backed with “When the guards go marching by”.

After Peter Dawson, we hear another singer often heard on Monday evenings, Deanna Durbin, and the song “Amapola” - a memory from 1939, when Deanna was featured in the film “First Love”.

The first hour of tonight’s show also features Ann Ziegler and Webster Booth, Helen Kane and Guy Lombardo with his orchestra.

In the second hour, the requests include Fred Astaire (“Change partners”) and Marnie Nixon (“All the things you are”). We alsohear from the British-Australian idol Frank Ifield with "She taught me how to yodel", which was part of a double A-side with "Lovesick blues" in 1962, and from 1966, the legendary Australian group The Seekers with “Georgy Girl”.

Thank you for listening to and supporting PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au.

25/05/2025

19/05/2025

Tonight’s show (19 May 2025) starts with a popular memory from George Olsen “and his Music” - "The best things in life are free", words by B.G. DeSylva and Lew Brown, music by Ray Henderson, for the 1927 musical Good News.
After George, we move forward to 1938 to hear from "the Canadian Crosby", DIck Todd, with his recording of "You're the only star in my blue heaven".
In the second hour tonight, the diverse memories include Mitzi Gaynor (“Cock-eyed optimist”), Dick Haymes (“It might as well be Spring”) and Mama Cass (“Dream a little dream of me”).
The third hour includes the Australian-born singer Frank Ifield with “Nobody’s darlin; but mine”) and Artie Shaw and his orchestra with “Frenesi”.
Thank you for listening to and supporting PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au.

12/05/2025

12/05/2025

Tonight’s show (Monday 12th May 2025) starts with a popular memory from Jack Hylton & his Orchestra - "Break away", written for the film “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929”. This film is now considered a “lost film”, as all known film prints were destroyed in fires at the Fox storage facility in New Jersey in 1937. Tonight's recording of “Break away” was recorded by Jack Hylton in 1929 as a B-side to another song from the film, “That’s you, baby”. After Jack Hylton, we hear from Rudi Valee with the song “On the good ship lollipop”, a hit for Rudi in 1935.

Memories during the request section from 10pm include Nat King Cole (with "Smile”), The Pied Pipers (“Once in a while”) and Louis Armstong (“What a wonderful world”), while just after that we hear Harry Belafonte & Odetta as Liza and Henry with the popular “Hole in the bucket”...and The Ames Brothers with “The man with the banjo”.

Thank you for listening to and supporting PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au.

05/05/2025

The nostalgia radio show Thanks For The Memory was originally prepared and presented here in Adelaide on PBAFM 89.7 by Gary Lockyer over a marathon period of 35 years, from 1984 to 2019.

In memory of Gary, who passed away in April this year...and with our thanks to Gary's family...tonight ( 5 May 2025) we will hear an edition of Thanks For The Memory which was recorded by Gary in 2018.

The first memory for tonight's show comes from US bandleader Ted Weems, “Piccolo Pete”. The song “Piccolo Pete”, was a hit for Ted Weems and his band in 1929.

After Ted, we hear from Phil Ohman and orchestra (feat. Kenny Baker) with their recording of "Dancing cheek to cheek" (1935) from the musical Top hat (from the pen of Irving Berlin). Stanley Holloway can also be heard in the first hour.

The second hour includes several Australian memories, including Judy Stone from 1962 (I'll step down), Mike Preston from 1959 (Mr. Blue, 1959) and Barry Crocker (Neighbours, recorded 1984 then released 1987).

Thank you for listening to and supporting PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au .

28/04/2025

As I write this at about 9:35 tonight (28 April) we are hearing a repeat of the edition of Thanks For The Memory which we heard last week - the last show which Gary presented in September 2019 before retiring from the airwaves.

A repeat of last week's show is definitely worthwhile - you may have noticed that the PBAFM streaming was out of action that night.

We hope you enjoy this repeat tonight.

In a comment beneath I will put a complete list of the songs to be heard tonight - David (one of many volnteers at your local radio station).

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Please don't forget that as a community radio station, we love to hear from you about anything that you hear on PBA-FM, including Thanks For The Memory.
You can call us on 8250 3735, you can send us an email to address [email protected], or send a text to the PBAFM Text Line 0485 959 700.
Thank you for listening to and supporting PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au .

PBA-FM 89.7 MHz is a community radio station in Adelaide, South Australia, and broadcasts to the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide.

21/04/2025

Last week, our community of volunteers here at PBA-FM received the sad news that Gary Lockyer, the presenter of Thanks For The Memory, has passed away.

As a tribute to Gary, tonight we are hearing the very last program which Gary presented as a farewell show on 30th September 2019.

The show starts at 9am with Jack Jackson and his orchestra with "My good friend the milkman".

As usual, from 10pm, there is a selection of requests as sent to Gary during the week before that show.

Please don't forget that as a community radio station, we love to hear from you about anything that you hear on PBA-FM, including Thanks For The Memory.

You can call us on 8250 3735, you can send us an email to address [email protected], or send a text to the PBAFM Text Line 0485 959 700.

That's coming up tonight on PBA-FM, Adelaide's Northern Voice - 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide and streaming everywhere via the PBA website - www.pbafm.org.au .

20/04/2025

Join us this Monday night from 9.00pm for a special episode of Thanks for the Memory.

Sadly Gary Lockyer who presented Thanks for the Memory on Monday nights has passed away. Gary was a stalwart of the station who retired from broadcasting in 2019 after 35 years of reliving nostalgia favourites every Monday night.

With with such an extensive catalogue of programs we have continued Gary's legacy with old episodes bought to you every week and this Monday night we bring you Gary's final program from 2019.

We thank Gary for his dedication to the station, even after his retirement and our thoughts are with Gary's family and friends.