March 19th, 2014 § Comments Off on John Burgess Music Production, 1959-1966 § permalink
I found a few tracks from Adam Faith, Freddie and the Dreamer’s and Manfred Mann, that John Burgess produced. This was really groundbreaking music in it’s day, and influential around the world. Where would the Doors be without Manfred Mann?
What magic did John Burgess and George Martin have?
Listen to the songs here on Spotify – John Burgess Productions Playlist 1959-1966

John Burgess, from 1977 A.I.R. Studios brochure
If you follow the Spotify LINK, you can listen to the awesome recordings listed below, that were produced by AIR Studios’ John Burgess, and mostly recorded at E.M.I. Studios, Abbey Road.
1959 – What Do You Want – Adam Faith – John’s first Number One! – Arranged by John Barry – Engineered by Malcolm Addey
1960 – U.K. #1 – Poor Me – Adam Faith
1963 – U.S.A. #1 (1965) – U.K. #2 (1963) – I’m Telling You Now – Freddie and the Dreamers – Columbia EMI – Tower 125, USA
1963 – If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody – Freddie and the Dreamers – Inspired the Rolling Stones to ‘get writing’, said Oldham.
1963 – U.K. & U.S.A. #1 – 5-4-3-2-1 – Manfred Mann
1964 – U.S.A. #86 – Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann – Norman Smith Engineer
1964 – Smokestack Lighting – Manfred Mann – The Five Faces of Manfred Mann – album
1964 – Sha La La – Manfred Mann
1964 – U.S.A. #21 – You Were Made For Me – Freddie and the Dreamers – Columbia EMI – Tower 125 USA
1964 – I Put a Spell on You – Manfred Mann
1965 – If You Gotta Go, Go Now – Manfred Mann
1965 – U.K. #1 – Pretty Flamingo – Manfred Mann – Engineer Geoff Emerick
Well that’s the start of the John Burgess Discography. More to come!
March 14th, 2014 § Comments Off on The realm has lost a true Knight. R.I.P. John Burgess. § permalink

John Burgess - (©2014 F. Oglethorpe)
February 12th, 2014 § Comments Off on A Foot in Cold Water § permalink
This was one of the great rock tracks of my youth. I am pretty sure they played at my junior hight school, and being in the front row, I was blown away by the sound of their instruments. It was spectacular.
February 1st, 2014 § Comments Off on Wham, bam, thank you NAMM § permalink
An interesting time was had by all at the Anaheim (home by the Santa Ana river) Convention Center last week at the annual gathering of the roadies!
But seriously, the NAMM show is always a great opportunity to meet friends and colleagues and to see the latest instruments and assorted equipment made for producers, engineers, musicians, and their entourages.
I’m going to rate my show experience like this:
1 – I found parking on a nearby residential street. The same spot each day, thanks to a pin drop.
2 – I was there with exhibitor Prism Sound. Very British, and the acting “AIR Studios of Oxford Street” booth, thanks to Frank Oglethorpe.
3 – Friday NAMM is my yearly evening with Shirlene and Chris and Sabian at the Sheraton. This year it was small and cool, with Marko Mendoza, a certified revelation, who amazed the audience, inside and outside the building, with his craftsmanship. What an awesome musician!
4 – Steve Ferrone turned up at midnight with his luggage for a quick Drumroll reunion after the party! (old drumroll page)
5 – Thanks to friends on the many floors, and to Steve Postell, Jeff Pevar, Steve Cooke, Richard Martinez, Jeremy Stappard, Alan Clarke, Neil Dorfsman, Steve Churchyard, Stevie Wonder… for making it fun!
Here is a slideshow of photos and videos that I took this year at the 2014 NAMM show.
January 28th, 2014 § Comments Off on Crowbar – More than a feeling! § permalink
Can you imagine that these guys let me hang out with them when I was a teenager? Where would I be without them?
The rehearsal in the movie is at Bad Manors, their ‘clubhouse’ in Ancaster, Ontario. I never saw it in person, but I knew Bad Manors II (the bus) very well!
The smiling Joey Chirowski on organ! Kelly Jay. Roly Greenway. Sonnie Bernardi, Rheal Lanthier. The Ghetto (John Gibbard). What a band!
January 26th, 2014 § Comments Off on My Grammy Week started at the Village Studios… § permalink
The 7th Annual Producers & Engineers Wing Grammy celebration at the Village Studios honoring Neil Young was a special night.

Neil Young on stage in the ballroom at the Village Studios
I shot this short clip of the introductory part of Neil’s speech to show the atmosphere in the ballroom. It was fantastic!
And then Dave Mathews came out and played a couple of Neil’s songs.

And here is one of the traditional photos many of us take at these events.

John Jones, Frank Oglethorpe, Neil Dorfsman, Elliot Scheiner, Steve Churchyard at the Village Studios
January 25th, 2014 § Comments Off on Neil Young Honored by the Producers & Engineers Wing § permalink
January 22nd, 2014 § Comments Off on Ferrone Inducted into Rock Walk! § permalink

Steve Ferrone with cement hands!
Last weekend Stephen Ferrone put his very special hands in the cement, twice, as he was inducted into Rock Walk, at a special event in downtown Los Angeles! The linked article has more photos.
I wasn’t able to be there on the night, but I am really proud for Steve, and for his family! We have been brothers for a long time. And no one deserves the love more than Steve!

Steve Ferrone tracking at Drumroll Studios - photo by john jones
January 3rd, 2014 § Comments Off on Sir George Martin Day 2013 § permalink
Happy Birthday Sir George!

1995 TEC Awards San Francisco
John Jones and (Sir) George Martin, on stage in San Francisco, circa 1995.
George Martin Day 2012
George Martin Day 2011
October 26, 1998 in Los Angeles
January 1st, 2014 § Comments Off on Long Time Sun, Davinci and Jones § permalink
This is a great combination of clips from the various studios we had use of in the 00’s. Many shots of Drumroll and Orange studios.
We wrote the music using traditional lyrics. May the Long Time Sun Shine Upon You!