Among many memorable musical moments, McGough jammed with the Louis Armstrong band, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk; played a small role in the early careers of Kiri Te Kanawa and Alan Broadbent; directed one of John Rowles’s best concert bands; backed Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees as he was bombarded by tomatoes; conducted the Auckland Symphonia when it backed Headband, Ray Columbus, Suzanne and Bunny Walters; and he came out of retirement to play harmonica in a TV special hosted by Patsy Riggir.