Haydn Sherley

Haydn Ferrars Sherley (29 March 1924 – 14 June 2007) was a New Zealand radio personality. Affectionately known as 'the grandfather of radio' Sherley was a household name for decades in New Zealand, due to his work on national and commercial radio, in a career that spanned over fifty years.

Early life and family Born in the Hamilton suburb of Frankton Junction on 29 March 1924, Sherley was the son of Clyde Ferrars Sherley, a dental surgeon, and his wife, Isabel Mary Rogers. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School from 1937 to 1941.

During World War II, Sherley served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force between 1943 and 1945. He received the New Zealand War Service Medal and the War Medal 1939–1945. Relda Familton, Stewart Macpherson, Angela D'Audney, Lloyd Scott, and Lindsay Yeo.

The NZBC was dissolved in 1975 with Radio New Zealand becoming responsible for radio broadcasting in New Zealand. That year, Sherley was seconded to National Radio (now Radio New Zealand National) and became a senior executive producer in charge of announcing staff on both National Radio and the Concert Programme. He also started his long-running radio programme, In a Mellow Tone, in 1975. Originally called Gentle on your Mind, and later Music to Midnight, the format of In a Mellow Tone continued for over thirty years. Sherley was an avid jazz enthusiast, and his programme was a showcase of jazz from both New Zealand and around the world. The show's name came from Duke Ellington's tune of the same name, with the original theme being performed by the Buddy Bregman Orchestra. Later The Manhattan Transfer's version of the song became the theme for the programme. The then Minister for Broadcasting, Steve Maharey expressed his sorrow at Sherley's death, an indication of his extensive involvement and contribution to broadcasting in New Zealand. He received the outstanding contribution award at the Mobil Radio Awards in 1993.