Description

For over 40 years I had the privilege to work with some of the most amazing, talented, crazy and often deluded people in the world of music and movies. I've spent endless hours stationed behind the mixing desk, orchestrating the recording and production processes for a diverse spectrum of artistes. From the remarkably gifted to those whose creative spark may have flickered less brightly, I've navigated them all. It began in 1969, at Pye Studios in London, where I was fortunate to learn the art of recording from some of the most acclaimed engineers of the time. I subsequently moved on to De Lane Lea Studios, an expansive state-of-the-art facility acclaimed as the world's largest purpose-built studio. Both Pye and DLL functioned as my educational institutions for mastering the intricacies of sound recording. Significantly, they also served as platforms for me to immerse myself in the realm of record production and song writing, where I gleaned insights from the luminaries who frequented the recording studio and consistently topped the charts.

Throughout the years, I've regaled friends and family with countless anecdotes from this captivating journey. As moments turned into memories, the notion to preserve these tales began to crystallise, prompting a profound appreciation for the intricacies of the human mind. It's a marvel that commences its workings long before one's birth and doesn’t stop until the moment one sits down to write a Podcast or book.

Compiling an accurate timeline of my narratives became achievable through consulting my diaries. Spanning from 1971 to 2009, I consistently maintained these journals, not out of any historical intent, but merely to log the sessions I worked on and the overtime hours I accrued. Unexpectedly, they have emerged as indispensable references, furnishing precise dates and contextual details to my various escapades. Reflecting on my experience within this captivating industry, I've arrived at a simple realisation: You may have been in the business for 5 minutes or for 20 years, you could be very gifted or have no talent at all but to achieve success you must remember one crucial thing.

There Ain't No Rules in Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Within these podcasts you will discover, 1) Which major record company executive warned me of Jimi Hendrix's impending death just three weeks before his died. 2) Learn how Bill Haley intervened to save Chuck Berry's life. 3) Find out how I ended up sharing a pint of beer in a pub with a grizzly bear who sold 250,000 singles without ever charting. 4) Uncover the story of the singing waiter who defied the odds to become one of the biggest artists in history. 5) Find out how I ended up sharing a pint of beer in a pub with a grizzly bear who sold 250,000 singles without ever charting. 6) Explore how John Lennon and Yoko Ono played a role in naming the band Hot Chocolate. 7) Experience the challenges of producing an album with the legendary guitarist Peter Green. 8) Read about the unexpected encounter I had with movie star James Garner, who unknowingly bought me breakfast when I was a teenager. 9) Discover the truth behind Mungo Jerry's hit single "In The Summertime." 10) Learn why Bing Crosby made a heartwarming phone call that touched many lives. 11) Find out what Fred Astaire's mother thought of his singing voice. 12) Explore the remarkable story of the hit songwriter, journalist, and spy catcher who executed an incredible sting operation inspired by the movie "The Sting." 13) Delve into my close friendship with Tony Newley and the true identity of Anthony Newley. 14) My crazy adventure in Louisiana's Cajun country, where I believe I came across Snow White’s and Dopey’s offspring. 15) How I found out that you can always tell a Texan BUT! You can’t tell him much. 16) And much more.