He never imagined music would take him overseas and onstage with famous artists.

“I just picked up a guitar and liked it,” he said. 

“I had relevant pitch and could listen to a record a couple of times and then play the song. 

“It wasn’t until I was 25, that I learnt to read music.”

Fifty years on, Mr Baker retired to Long Beach, where he now plays bass in the Show Band. 

The move brought him back into surprise contact with friend and musician Stafford Ray, of Denham’s Beach.

“I have known Stafford, who was in the Daily Wilson Band, since 1969,” he said. 

“It was a coincidence to move down here and find someone I knew really well.

“We had great reminiscences.

“I didn’t know he lived here, so it was a blessing.”

Through Mr Ray’s connection to the Eurobodalla Jazz Club, Mr Baker joined the Show Band. 

“I moved down here with the intention of never playing again,” he said. 

“I had 30 guitars and sold some and gave others away.

“I was left with 10.”

From movies and television, to the Opera House and the local pub, Mr Baker has played for crowds large and small. 

At 18, Mr Baker turned professional with Sydney band, The Charades.

“I was in The Charades for three years,” he said.

“The band played at hotels and clubs in Sydney and we toured Japan for a year.”

He left when they returned to Australia.

“My goal was to move forward, not stay stagnant.”

In 1970, he became a session vocalist, then added guitar, mandolin, bass and other instuments to his studio work. 

“I started in the ABC band, which recorded music to go on air on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. 

“I was doing three sessions a day, five days a week, as well as live gigs.

“I lived and breathed music.”

In 1988 Mr Baker joined the musical team for television series Home and Away.

“We had a real band recording every Thursday morning,” he said.

“I played in the band for five years and then started editing and mixing.

“I worked on the show for 26 years and it was probably the hardest thing to give away in my retirement.” 

From 1996 onwards, Mr Baker concentrated on producing other people’s work.

It took a year to decide on a clean break from the industry and a sea change.

Mr Baker plays in Eurobodalla bands every few weeks.

Mr Baker keeps up-to-date on the top-40. 

“I had to change with the music,” he said. 

“I have always kept up with different styles.”

Mr Baker thinks Miley Cyrus is a fantastic artist, even if he doesn’t agree with her choice of clothing. 

“I like her music - it is fantastic - but the way she dresses is a bit bizarre,” he said. 

“Lady Gaga is really out there, but she can really sing. 

“Taylor Swift is phenomenal; I wish I could write songs like her. 

“There are so many talents out here. 

“I wouldn’t sit down and listen to them all day, but I wouldn’t sit and listen to anything all day.”

Music “keeps him alive”. 

Mr Baker’s career launched him into some starry orbits.

“I did concerts with David Campbell and worked with Peggy Lee and Debbie Reynolds,” he said. 

He played with Olivia Newton John, Julie Anthony, Barry Crocker and more. 

“There were over 50 famous people I worked with, but a stand out would be Peggy Lee,” he said. 

“I listened to her when I was young.

“Another amazing highlight was working with Don Burrows - he was probably the most famous jazz musician.

“At 15, I was sitting in my room playing his records and 15 years later he was asking me to play in his band. 

“I played for six years and we did about eight albums. 

“That was probably the highlight of my life.”