VETERAN musician Len Gannon has hung up his guitar after more than 50 years in the business.

The 80-year-old, who can also play the saxophone, mandolin, banjo and drums, formed five bands during his career, and often played with wife Christine and his eight children.

The bands were Hi-Five, Johnny and the Fortunes, Gannon’s Guitars, In Harmony and The 57 Swing Band, which he last played for on Saturday, August 29.

The grandfather-of-12, of Well Lane, Curbridge, near Witney, said: “It has been a great life.

“Music will still be at the forefront of whatever happens. Music is part of my life.”

Mrs Gannon, 75, who occasionally plays the ukulele and guitar with her husband, said she would not miss the practical side of performing.

She said: “It’s hard physical work, lumping everything about.”

The couple played their last gig with The 57 Swing Band — formed from Mr Gannon’s saxophone students 13 years ago — at Cogges School, which was also the first place they played together 54 years ago.

Mr Gannon’s lifelong interest in music dates back to when he was growing up in Putney, London.

He said: “My dad never let me go out and play with the children on the estate, but occasionally, usually on a Sunday, a guy would come and stand outside our house and play an accordion. I used to just watch him from my bedroom window.”

Aged eight, Mr Gannon, a former caretaker at West Oxfordshire College, learned to play the piano from his father, who would perform in London pubs.

Mr Gannon first came to west Oxfordshire aged 22 on a whim, after deciding to find the source of the Thames. He cycled as far as Witney, before his head was turned by his future 17-year-old wife.

He said: “I cycled from Putney right through to Witney to try to find the source of the river. I saw Chris and fell in love.”

Mr Gannon left to live in Australia for five years but the couple kept in touch and married when he returned.

They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2006.

In 1971, he and his eight children formed Gannon’s Guitars. The group took more than 700 bookings in the 12 years they performed. Although the band dispersed in 1983, many of his children still perform.

Eldest son John, 49, plays the drums for bands in Witney and, until recently, Julia Rushby, 49, and Melody Maycock, 48, sang with their parents in their group In Harmony.