Filmmaker Seeks to Honor Medford Sound Pioneers

Fundraising efforts are underway to construct a historical marker in Haines Square in Medford to commemorate a world-famous sound reinforcement company that once operated there.

John Kane, a Salem resident and doctoral student at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, has been working for two years on a documentary and a dissertation on Hanley Sound, founded by Medford brothers Bill and Terry Hanley over 50 years ago.

According to Kane, who published this note Thursday regarding his efforts that was circulated to local media by Mayor Michael McGlynn's office, the Hanley brothers operated out of a nondescript storefront at 430 Salem St. in Haines Square, which is presently a Dunkin' Donuts.

But Kane said the Hanleys worked magic at their shop and provided "powerful" sound systems for iconic events for over 25 years.

"They were involved in some of the most important political, social and musical events in history," Kane said in a Thursday evening phone interview with Patch.

[Watch the YouTube video to the right to learn more about Hanley Sound and Kane's fundraising efforts.]

Some of those events included Woodstock, the inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the iconic Newport, R.I., Folk Festival (where Bob Dylan famously "went electric" in 1965) and the Beatles' final tour of America in 1966.

Kane called Bill Hanley, 76, who currently resides in Merrimac and is still active in the world of sound, the "father of festival sound."

Terry Hanley currently operates Terry Hanley Audio Systems out of Woburn.

Kane said he came to know Bill Hanley while organizing a small folk festival in Salem. When he started his doctoral work, he came to understand the Hanleys' story and their important place in modern American history. 

Kane grew up in Somerville and felt a connection to the Hanleys, with whom he shared an "Irish Catholic, blue-collar background" in addition to a love of sound and music.

Now Kane is spearheading an effort to get a monument or plaque constructed at the location in Haines Square to commemorate Hanley Sound. Kane's been in conact with the Medford Historical Commission and received "the green light" from McGlynn to move ahead with the project.

"Everyone's real excited about it," Kane said.

On Oct. 19, the city will be honoring the Hanleys with the hope of unveiling the monument. Kane said the celebration will be merged with the 3rd Annual Haines Square Fall Festival also taking place that day.

Kane said they "plan on having a concert with a industry-recording artist for a special performance" after a ceremony honoring the Hanleys. According to Kane, that artist will be one from the era where the Hanleys did most of their work.

Kane said the associated costs with constructing the monument and the event will likely cost north of $5,000. That's why he set up this Indiegogo page seeking donations.

Kane plans on filming the October event for his documentary, which is titled "The Last Seat in the House: The Story of Hanley Sound." Kane said he's been filming every step of his journey in the process of making the Hanley Sound monument a reality.

"The history behind Hanley Sound will not only give back to citizens of Medford but also serve a much broader musical community," Kane wrote. "For those who are curious about the city’s rich history, the birth of the sound reinforcement history or just music in general, this historic site will surely serve those interests for years to come."