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Going through a little phase of watching a new feature movie and a 1991 documentary on strange and troubled genius Joe Meek.
The movie, "Telstar" is a pretty good summation of Joe's chaotic and troubled life as an eccentric record producer. Credited with virtually kick starting the British singles music industry and creating some innovative studio tricks Joe eventually was outpaced by more talented studio technicians and eventually swamped by the wave started by the Beatles and Stones.
The actor playing Joe really nails his personality and manner and even looks a lot like him.
The film is fascinating in its depiction of Joe's cramped and chaotic studio situated in tiny rooms above a luggage shop. Its amazing how many famous artists recored with Joe but his main hits were with the Tornados and his bleached fancy, Heinz.
After being sued by somebody claiming to have written Telstar before Joe and hounded by a homosexual criminal charge Joe eventually succumbed to addiction and mental illness culminating in him shooting his downstairs co-tenant and himself with a gun ironically owned by Heinz.
The documentary is even better and really shows the sides of Joe's eccentric genius and features an interview with Joe's two brothers who seem a little bemused by Joe's lifestyle.
The Strange Story of Joe Meek (BBC documentary)
Telstar (the movie)
Joe Meek - I Hear a New World (album of his studio techniques and tricks)
Joe Meek the Amazing World of (album of his main hits)
The movie, "Telstar" is a pretty good summation of Joe's chaotic and troubled life as an eccentric record producer. Credited with virtually kick starting the British singles music industry and creating some innovative studio tricks Joe eventually was outpaced by more talented studio technicians and eventually swamped by the wave started by the Beatles and Stones.
The actor playing Joe really nails his personality and manner and even looks a lot like him.
The film is fascinating in its depiction of Joe's cramped and chaotic studio situated in tiny rooms above a luggage shop. Its amazing how many famous artists recored with Joe but his main hits were with the Tornados and his bleached fancy, Heinz.
After being sued by somebody claiming to have written Telstar before Joe and hounded by a homosexual criminal charge Joe eventually succumbed to addiction and mental illness culminating in him shooting his downstairs co-tenant and himself with a gun ironically owned by Heinz.
The documentary is even better and really shows the sides of Joe's eccentric genius and features an interview with Joe's two brothers who seem a little bemused by Joe's lifestyle.
The Strange Story of Joe Meek (BBC documentary)
Telstar (the movie)
Joe Meek - I Hear a New World (album of his studio techniques and tricks)
Joe Meek the Amazing World of (album of his main hits)
5 comments:
This is funny because I've been on a Joe Meek kick for a few days. I have a surprise for the comments section.
Jonathan
Can't wait for the surprise - I think my interest was sparked by the release of the Telstar movie. He did do quite a few straight recordings which is bought out by the movie.
He always added his own little quirks tho which is one of the reasons he fell out with the major music producers.
Thanks for this, and I just wanted you to know that yours is one of the very best music blogs EVER!
Thanks for Joe Meek
Wonderful - thank you!
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