ARTICLES. Some articles written on the Nottingham music scene, music in general and other rock and roll trivia.
Joe Meek has gone down in history as an important independent sound engineer and record producer perfecting new methods and sounds unheard of at the time. Big hits like “Johnny, Remember Me”, “Telstar”, “Just Like Eddie” and “Have I the Right?” in the early sixties marked him out as a maverick. His last major hit was in 1964, the last chart hit in 1966 with The Cryin’ Shames and whether he would have gone on to make more is debatable and it is probably true to say that he wasn’t part of that cultural steamroller started by The Beatles that went to to change the sixties. A troubled personality he shot his landlady and committed suicide in 1967 but remains a figurehead of individuality in the music business.
Wikipedia
The film Telstar
BBC The Strange Story of Joe Meek
“The Tea Chest Tapes”
After his death all the tapes were saved and changed hands until acquired by Cherry Red records in 2020 who are doing the painstaking work of archiving, preserving and releasing these historic gems.
This is a list of recordings by Nottinghamshire or nearby County groups I know to have visited Joe Meek’s studio. I will add to this list as and when I find new information.
The Jaybirds – January 1962 – Yes January 1962 not January 1963 as seems to appear all over the internet.
“Husky Team”
“Alvin’s Tune”
line up
Alvin Lee: Lead Guitar
Leo Lyons: Bass Guitar
Pete Evans: Drums
Roy Cooper: Rhythm Guitar
Farran Kristy had joined the group as lead vocalist in December 1961 but I’m not sure he was present at these sessions. Both tracks are instrumental’s I believe although I have never heard them. Husky Team was written by Robert Duke an alias for Joe Meek and recorded by The Saints, The Outlaws, The Quiets etc and is definitely an instrumental. The newspaper cuttings referring to “Alvin’s Tune” suggest, to me at least, that it is an instrumental. Hurry up Cherry Red. I want to hear them.
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The X’Caliburs – December 1962 or January 1963
“Over The Rainbow”
“Donkey Serenade”
“Count me out” (written by Irving McLeod)
“There’ll Never Be Anyone Else”
line up
Paul Newman: Vocals
Bryan Holden: Drums
Charles H. Bowles: Lead Guitar
Garry Taylor: Rhythm Guitar
Irving McLeod: Bass Guitar
The group had its origins in Retford in North Notts.
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Alan Ward (born 12 December 1945, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.
Lead guitarist with The Honeycombs.