Happy Hammond

Harry Montague Hammond (7 May 1916 – 1 April 1998 ) professionally known as Happy Hammond, was an Australian comedian, Radio host and Children's Television show host. & day time television producer

Happy Hammond was born in Summer Hill, Sydney, Australia. Happy was the youngest of 3 children . His parents were both Deaf and mute . He was famous for his bright personality and wearing a tartan suit and hat, sometimes referred to as his "test pattern" outfit, that clashed awfully in real life but worked well on black-and-white TV. His catchphrase was:

" Is everybody happy ? " along with the catchy tune and theme song for the show " Happy days are here again"

The nickname 'Happy' came from his time serving in the Army during World War II . During World War II, Hammond served in the Australian Army in the South West Pacific Area. and was transferred following a few concerts to the "Australian Army Entertainment Unit the " Boomerangs" , entertaining Australian troops in various combat areas. He performed in concerts entertaining the troops with Keith Glover, who later went on to join the ABC. After the war, the pair took the act to the Tivoli circuit.

Happy's broadcasting career began in his home town of Geelong when he became the breakfast announcer at 3GL. While there, he made his first TV appearance in 1948, as part of an exhibition using closed-circuit TV equipment for trial purposes.

Hammond then moved to Adelaide's 5KA, before returning to Victoria to work first at 3AW and then 3UZ, both in Melbourne.

At 3UZ he hosted The Happy Show, a children's program, as well as partnering Graham Kennedy, following the death of Nicky Whitta in September 1956. Hammond joined television station GTV-9, and shortly after, he invited the young Kennedy to appear on a telethon, where he was noticed by Norman Spencer, leading eventually to Kennedy joining the channel as well.

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