Gordon was born in 1916 in Irthlingborough, son of John William 'Bill' Meadows (a native of Higham Ferrers) and Ellen Maud 'Nellie' Carr (born in Rushden in 1894).

They had married in 1915 at Higham Ferrers, shortly before Bill went to see service in WWI. Nellie was living with her parents in Irthlingborough.

Bill and Nellie moved in about 1920 to Westbourne Grove on the Wellingborough Road and later to Moor Road. They also had a daughter, Vera, in 1921 (later Vera Horn when she married Ralph).

Gordon started playing in local dance bands in the 1930s. He saw service in WWII where he also played in army bands before returning to Rushden.

Leading his band from the piano, Gordon was joined by Frank Redgate on bass, Reg Ruff on drums, Alec Sykes played alto sax and clarinet, and Ernest Wenton playing trumpet.

He later lived at ‘Tweentrees’, 124a Newton Road.