This week we lost my 5th Father and friend, Sir George Martin, who passed away at his home in England on March 8th. Sir George was 90. My heart goes out to Judy, Giles, Lucy, and Shirley, and to all of his friends and colleagues whose lives he enriched.
In addition to having the greatest respect for his life’s work as a musician and record producer, Sir George had a personal impact on me from our first meeting at AIR Studios in London in 1985. At that time, Sir George and the late John Burgess, with the strong endorsement of Dave Harries and Malcolm Atkin, allowed Dee Long and I to be their partners, in building and operating studio 5, the Fairlight/Midi/Production at the original Oxford Street location of AIR. Sir George made himself available to promote our cause, and quickly chose to work with us on the pre-production of his epic Under Milk Wood album project, proving the value of our view of the future, as well as Dee’s mastery of the machines, and the successful creation of what became standard procedure in recording studios ever since.
To have met Sir George Martin’s standard was the greatest achievement of our lives, the benefits of which have never ceased. Thank you George, and John. Rest in peace. More Sir George Martin
March 11th, 2016 § Comments Off on Remembering Tohoku 3.11 § permalink
Five years after the Tohoku Earthquake tragedy in Japan, “the fourth largest earthquake in history”. Our thoughts are still with the victims, who are still facing the gigantic task of rebuilding their homes.
The situation in and around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is as critical as it was in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. Aerial photos show that very little has changed in four years. Long term solutions for the future are still being formulated.
October 26th, 2015 § Comments Off on In The Arms of Love – 1976 § permalink
I’m not certain, but I think that Terry Draper, Dee Long, Brian Bell, John Bojicic and John Jones (the choir) recorded this demo at Brentcliffe Rehearsal Studios in Don Mills in the late 1970’s.
September 4th, 2015 § Comments Off on Marsden interview’s Cam Hawkins about FM § permalink
David Marsden, say no more, interview’s my old pal Cam Hawkins, about his super group FM!
Just before he started FM, Cam and I had a very progressive pop/jazz/fusion group with uber guitarist Ken Basman and others, that didn’t get out of rehearsal… what a great band it was! (more ken)
Cam was one of my heroes growing up! His band with Ken Worth, Clear, was very special to me. I was lucky to have him sing background vocals and play bass, flute and cello, on my first multi-track recording; Second Stand – produced by Steve Vaughan at Toronto Sound Studio circa 1975.
August 31st, 2015 § Comments Off on Alan Frew photo from Hold On Sessions… § permalink
A photo from the 90s with Anthony Vanderburgh, Steve Churchyard, Alan Frew, Mick Fleetwood and John Jones at the Record Plant, Los Angeles, working on Alan’s Hold On album.
August 2nd, 2015 § Comments Off on Ordinary World on Top of the Pops § permalink
Just the other day, I was telling a story of when I played drums on Top of the Pops for Ordinary World with Duran Duran.
I played the run-throughs, because I made the playback tape and the hired drummer-actor was late. I knew all of the Steve Ferrone fills and I dressed-up to be on the air. But of course, at the last minute he turned up. I stood on the sidelines dreaming of what could have been!
Has anyone else had a bad Top of the Pops experience? I bet you have!
Duran Duran performing Ordinary World on Top of the Pops in 1993
Sir George Martin in Studio 5, AIR Studios
