Radioinfo is reporting that Paul ‘Cracker’ Hardy, the voice of the Harvey Norman commercials amongst other things, has died due to a heart attack aged 57.
Update: Paul apparently passed away on Sunday night. Morning host on American music radio station 95.3FM WAOR [1], Tommie Lee, has written a short tribute to Paul on his blog [2]. End Update
Further Update: I’ve had a look through my collection of ads and found a few of Paul’s voiceovers…unfortunately I can’t find any of his Rebel Sport ads, although it’s quite probable that I have some at home in an un-catalogued file somewhere. Anyway, here’s a sample of some of the ads of his that I have in my collection, plus his demo from his production company Hardy Audio [3].
[audio:http://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/PaulHardy.mp3]
Download MP3 [4]
Some of the non-Harvey Norman ads make me realise just how prolific Paul’s voice really is in Australian media…to think that his subtle voice changes made me think I was listening to a different person.
Thanks to Frankster [5] for contributing a couple of these ads to my collection a while back (around the time of the Harvey Norman theme music change if I recall correctly) and to Jock’s Journal for the photo of Paul. Jock’s Journal have a tributes page at http://newmedia.com.au/Paul_Hardy.htm [6].
End Update
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Vale Paul Hardy"
#1 Comment By davky On December 3, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Thanks for posting this tribute, Sam. I had never heard of Paul, but after listening to your compilation I realise I have certainly heard his voice.
It is amazing that voiceover/ad men often have to die to have their names known – I never knew Alan Morris’ name until he died last year, and I grew up with his voice featuring on some of the most enduring
advertisements of the 1980s.
RIP Paul
#2 Comment By Samuel On December 4, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
Honestly, I didn’t know Paul’s name until yesterday either. I’m saddened by his passing at such a young age.
You’re absolutely right that it’s a shame that voiceover artists only ever seem to get their name in the public consciousness after they die. There are a few exceptions to this rule (Ken Sparkes comes to mind), but even then they aren’t exactly well know, which is quite unfortunate.
#3 Comment By tonyvoice123 On January 30, 2009 @ 5:22 am
As a producer of radio commercials – He was a great voice and will be missed. Very talented.
Tony
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