Joe Meek
Posted by dailypop on July 12, 2007
Actor and sometime evil scientist Kevin Spacey recently announced that he is working with Nick Moran on the film ‘Telstar,’ based on his UK play of the same name chronicling life and times of the mad 60’s record producer, Joe Meek.
For those of you not in the know, Joe Meek is recognized as the most imaginative independent producers to come out of England’s 1960’s scene.
His most successful album is probably The Tornados’ ‘Telstar’ in 1961, a love song to the communications satellite of the same name. Telstar was the first record by a British group to hit #1 in the US Hot 100. Telstar also earned producer Meek the Ivor Novello Award for this production as the “Best-Selling A-Side” by staying on the UK single chart for five weeks in 1962.
A great lover of the Theramin and other odd sounds, his concept album ‘I Hear A New World’ is regarded as the maverick modern music album for electronica for its innovative use of electronic sounds.
Here is a trailer for another documentary on his life.
“Something I’ve Got To Tell You” Trailer
A vanguard of the independent music scene, Meek’s recording studio that launched many a pop group to the major labels was located above a leather goods shop on London’s Holloway road, the signature ‘echo room’ was actually a tiled bathroom.
Like many giants of the music world, Meek’s success was short-lived and ended sadly. At the age of 37, depressed and heavily in debt, he shot his landlady with a shotgun before killing himself. His suicide did not ring true with many close to him, creating a world of controversy and suspicion that remains to this day. In any event, his amazing music remains. Often hypnotic, odd and strangely alien, Joe Meek struggled to present the music he heard deep in his head for others to enjoy.
I’m hoping the Nick Moran film does him justice.
“If it sounds right, it is right.” – Joe Meek
Suggested listening:
The Alchemist of Pop: Home Made Hits and Rarities 1959-1966
I Hear a New World: An Outer Space Music Fantasy
The Joe Meek EP Collection Box
Joe Meek’s Freakbeat: 30 Freakbeat, Mod and R&B Nuggets
Joan Mum Lee said
Sounds like Kevin should be playing Joe instead of the financial guy!
lord f said
my favorite commenter ever: joan mum lee.
where’s johnny boom boom on this one? he must be the guy behind the guy behind the reel to reel player.
sounds great, though i’m not sold on kevin spacey. malkovich malkovich, on the other hand . . .
hey, if you haven’t in a while, you should listen to the heart and sould box set. i’m amazed every time i play it.
p.s., what’s uncool about porn chops and special sauce as a blog post title? i giggled like chocolate that fell in peanut butter. perhaps it was the content. oh well, it’s back to the suck mines for me.
Weekend To Do List/Rumors/News 07-13-07 « joanie lee’s reviews said
[...] Kevin will also appear in TELSTAR which is the story of UK record producer, Joe Meek who was a ‘legend’ in England. Joe was a hit record producer. Con O’Neill will reprise his stage role as Joe. Kevin will play his financier, Major Banks. No Release Date as yet. (For Jamie’s article on Joe Meek, click here!) [...]
lord f said
damn you kevin spacey!
BIG BOY PETE said
He was England’s Phil Spector. And what might happen to Phil?
georgie said
just met kevin yesterday, he didnt mention it to me, why? that hurts. he is currently playing with jeff goldblum, he should be joe meek, they work well together. also……..can i be in the film…..www.theroaringforties.com
please answer….i get angry it when people dont answer…you wouldnt like me angry………. sorry, i shouldnt have said that….its just…well! its just so damn upsetting.
frankly, i dont give a damn….
well who asked you?