claude

Born in 1947, in Romford Essex, of French mum and English dad, went to French Lycee london, and various other schools until Ealing College where in '63, Mitch Mitchell who became Jimmi Hendrix's drumer, was in the form above me. Started 5 year apprenticeship with EMI in '64, my last year,(68-69), being at their studios in Abbey Road. I was a technical engineer there, working on sessions with Cliff Richard, Cilla Black, the Hollies, Pink Floyd, Donovan, The Gods, Ken Dodd, Matt Monroe, The Edgar Broughton Band, The Third Ear Band, Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, The Rhada Krishna Temple, Mary Hopkin, and of course The Beatles. At the end of my time there, I joined Tangerine Studios, (thanks to Dave Makay, the man who wrote 'Manamana') and became a sound engineer, recording and mixing. My replacement at Abbey Road was none other than Alan Parsons. One day I received a call from Geoff Emerick the Beatles engineer offering me a job at Apple, involving the instalation of recording equipment during the construction of the Beatles personal studios in the basement of No 3 Saville Row. This was to build a 'proper studio' unlike the previous attempt by Magic Alex, which was a total disaster. I joined a great team, mostly ex EMI, Geoff Emerick - top man in charge, George (Porky) Peckham - mastering engineer, Malcolm Davies also mastering, John Smith - tape copying, and later joined by Eddie Klein - maintenance, and Mike 'O Donnell, (later to become Ringo's engineer, and famous for co writing the Thomas the tank engine theme) - also on tape copying. George and Mike are on the left and right of me in the main pic. Ironicaly the band split up in a spectacular way during consruction, but did get used by Ringo, and can be seen in the film 'Born to boogie' with Marc Bolan. George used it as well, and Paul too after I had left, although sadly by then, the studios I had great pride in constructing, had become a former shadow of itself, equipment started to dissapear, and rats were seen in the basement. Did a session at John's house (Tittenhurst Park), with John and Ringo, Klaus Voormann and various people from Oz magazine, trying to get some money for the Oz obscenity trial by releasing 'God Save Oz' which flopped, but at least I worked with half the Beatles. I still have a copy of this recording. My forever grateful belated thanks go to Geoff Emerick, for having the time and patience to answer all my questions about engineering and recording during Beatle sessions in EMI days, and later on for having the belief in me to accomplish such a complicated task as I had ahead of me in putting the studios together. It'a shame Geoff did'nt give me the same credit back in his book 'here there and everywhere', after all the hard work I put in. Ken Townsend should get a metion too, as he was studio manager at Abbey road when I was there, and for putting up with me he deserves a medal. I learnt more in my year there than I ever did at school or even in any subsequent years. Thanks a million Ken, my time there certainly wasn't wasted. Later on worked in Scorpio studios, london, before moving to France to work at 'Le Chateau d'Herouville',a residential studio once made famous by Elton John. Continued in some Paris studios before returning to Britain to Escape studios in Kent, working with Steve Marriot, and 2/3rds of Cream, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, cool or what ? Also while there, made a jingle for Radio Caroline with Junior Marvin, Bob Marley's guitarist. It was played every half hour. Then came to Scotland and worked in Radio Forth as an engineer for 5 years, before building my own multitrack mobile studio in an old 60's caravan. Had great fun here, recording for Tom Robinson, Billy Bragg, the Proclaimers, the Battlefield band, Midge Ure, John Martyn, The Flying Pickets, local radio, German radio, Tyne Tess TV, Borders TV, and local bands both live and using my garage very successfuly as a studio at home.