Joe Meek - Telstar

Revolutionary recording engineer Joe Meek is the subject of a new film to be released this summer. (source: The Independent)
Active in the late 50s early 60s Meek took music recording out of the white-coat boffin world and literally into the bedroom setting up recording studios in his Holloway Road flat.
Meek, who comitted suicide in 1967, is acknowledged as one of the world's first and most imaginative independent producers. He wrote created the legendary 'Telstar' track, the first British single to reach number 1 in the USA.
Meek's concept album I Hear a New World is regarded as a watershed in modern music for its innovative use of electronic sounds.
Other well known tracks written or produced by Meek include 'Have I the Right' by The Honeycombs and 'Johnny Remember Me' by John Leyton. All Meek's works feature a distinctive sound and he is often compared to US producer Phil Spector, with whom he allegedly had an enraged telephone coversation, accusing the American of stealing his ideas. He is also said to have discarded an early Beatles demo tape calling it 'rubbish'.

He was known for his interest in the occult and the spiritual world (as echoed in the "new world" album) and often set up recording equipment in graveyards in an attempt to record voices from 'the other side'. Séances and ouija board sessions were a regular event in his Holloway Road flat/studio. Meek was however prone to fits of depression as well as being obsessive in his work and methods. His then illegal homosexuality is also said to have put him under frequent pressure . He committed suicide in his London flat on February 3rd (the same day as buddy Holly's untimely death) 1967 after shooting and killing his landlady.

Nick Moran's movie Telstar will be released in British cinemas summer 2009.

Joe Meek video sources:
Arena documentary part 1
Arena documentary part 2
Something I've got to tell you
sites:
The Joe Meek Appreciation Society
Joe Meek myspace


Joe Meek: "revolutionary"