He's got a story. Correction: He's got stories! 22, talented, and frankly, preferring to be on the other side of the glass making the music in that London studio! Then, things started happening.....🎵
Hey Guys. Glad you enjoyed Brad’s article. For sure I’ll be posting more stories/memories from back in the day during the coming weeks/months. Thanks especially to Brad for his support with this. I’m running about a bit today (trying to buy a new car!) but when I get home later, I’ll take a proper look at the comments and crosspost the article on my Stack. Thanks again.
This is why we read Substack. To read first hand experiences by real people about real people. I almost lost my toes with all the name drops here. Great collab guys !
Just to add to my previous comment..."Have you ever heard the term waiting with bated (or baited) breath? Most sources agree that bated, which is a shortened form of abated, is the correct spelling for the saying that means eagerly anticipating something."
I've thought about that, actually. I'm not sure I've ever seen it in print, though. I agree with that "bated" spelling, as the other one seems to relate to an activity that seems to have more to do with salt-water fishing.🎣🐟
Remembering the baseball player of a century ago, Shoeless Joe Jackson, we certainly wouldn't want to add a Toeless Paul Macko to the list (but, to be honest, that's the first time in my life I've ever written or typed that word...I reckon a podiatrist would have a different POV, though, in that direction)!
But, to your far more important point, yes, Nic had an infinitely enviable gig in the '80s, and I'm pickled tink that he's entrusting me with the thrilling task of adding the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE trinkets and adornments to his eye-popping encounters in musical '80s London!
I debated whether or not revealing the Bowie AND Paul stories in one piece would leave us dry too soon, but peeking ahead into Nic's studio "datebook" a bit, I'm confident that his cupboard (unlike Old Mother Hubbard's empty one) is chock full of riveting and jaw-dropping stories!
And, thank you, Toeful Paul, for your kind words and raves! Stay tuned!🎶😁👍
FYI, I still have all my toes. If I were a car I'd be a Dodge. However, I have no nipples, anymore. If I were an actor, my name would be Nippless Cage. My buddies call me
Paully NoNips. Kinda gangster, you think? These puns are getting bad...toe is me :)
If I were a car, I'd be re-tired. In fact, I'm not a car and I'm retired. The more things change (or get filled with air), the more they stay (until someone starts the engine).
This has been fascinating to read. As a London resident, as a sound enthusiast, and as a music lover. Thank you, Nic, for sharing such a monumental story, and thank you, Brad, for putting it all together so masterfully (as always). I usually walk past many of the places mentioned in the piece, but never been inside any of these legendary studios. This post made me feel like I was right there!
Thank you, Andres. If you're anywhere near Soho, on Wardour Street, take a walk up to The Ship pub, it's near where The Marquee Club was. Just by the pub you'll see St Anne's Court, about halfway down is Trident Studios, where Bowie recorded Ziggy Stardust. I started work there when I was about 18. That's coming soon. Whilst you're there, just around the corner is Heddon Street, outside number 23 would be a great location to get a selfie (maybe take some cardboard boxes with you)... BTW I'm wondering how Bowie somehow predicted Kanye West in 1972 on the album cover of ZS&TSFM... thoughts?
Dang, Andy...........if you don't, I will, and we're not even on the same continent! In fact, being in the correct one for this assignment, I guess that makes you in-continent! Be that as it may (or may not), if you make this journey, take the proper photos, and pass them along to moi, and I'll be happy to use them for our piece, and tag you in the process!📸
As for Nic's final puzzle.....my guess is that Bowie was both precious and prescient. I can actually picture that sign from memory, as many times as I've peered at that cover!
Well, take a look online at some of the albums recorded at Trident, when you pass The Ship pub, just pop in there for a moment... pretty much every artist who recorded at Trident ended up in The Ship at some point...
Fascinating stuff, Nic! I love that BBC/ITV 'Classic Albums' documentary series where they talk to both musicians and Producers such as Eddie Kramer about how the album was recorded, produced, mixed, etc. So, I am looking forward to reading more of Nic's tales!
Thanks, Michael, I also love watching great producers/engineers talking about recording... I think one of my favourites is Andy Wallace talking about recording Jeff Buckley's "Last Goodbye" (and the entire Grace album, including "Hallelujah"). I'm not sure if the whole thing is available anywhere without subscribing... so hopefully this isn't a blind alley... but if you can find it anywhere it's worth watching. https://mixwiththemasters.com/videos/andy-wallace-jeff-buckley-last-goodbye/part
Michael......yes, AIR Studios IS gorgeous! Unfortunately, what I mistakenly displayed as the original Oxford St. location was indeed the late-'80s newer studios (Lyndhurst Hall in Hampstead, North London)!
I now have up the exterior of the original Oxford St. location. It's hard to locate, online, accurately-captioned interior photos, because searching AIR will more often pull up pix of the more recent location! Here's a brief history of AIR and its locations over the years:
Stay tuned, Bryan! Nic's got a million of 'em....OK, that might be an exaggeration, but he's got enough to keep us both busy bringin' 'em to ya! He had me at, "I've got some stories.....!"😱
Hey Guys. Glad you enjoyed Brad’s article. For sure I’ll be posting more stories/memories from back in the day during the coming weeks/months. Thanks especially to Brad for his support with this. I’m running about a bit today (trying to buy a new car!) but when I get home later, I’ll take a proper look at the comments and crosspost the article on my Stack. Thanks again.
Thrilled that you finally got Nic to tell stories!
Stephen Michael Schwartz graced our pages with his 20 exclusive first-hand accounts that chronicle the '70s Hollywood record biz for FR&B, in his own words (https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz)!
Now, thanks to Nic, we'll have a slice of the UK-centric record biz all laid out, '80s-style!
We aim to cover the globe, one slab of vinyl at a time! Stay tuned!
This is why we read Substack. To read first hand experiences by real people about real people. I almost lost my toes with all the name drops here. Great collab guys !
I'm gonna watch out for your toes in future, however, can't promise not to drop a few more more names...
Picture me, following closely behind with a pen and notepad!📝
What's a pen?
I'll pull something, I know........but, picture me following closely behind with a 1920 Underwood!
- got the visual. I'm more a selectric kind of guy.
Just to add to my previous comment..."Have you ever heard the term waiting with bated (or baited) breath? Most sources agree that bated, which is a shortened form of abated, is the correct spelling for the saying that means eagerly anticipating something."
I've thought about that, actually. I'm not sure I've ever seen it in print, though. I agree with that "bated" spelling, as the other one seems to relate to an activity that seems to have more to do with salt-water fishing.🎣🐟
Well when I worked for the fisheries department, I actually perfected the art of baiting fish. You could say that I'm a MasterBai... - never mind...
You're lucky....I only ever was an apprentice baiter. But, it wasn't as if I wasn't putting in the work!
Bated Breath, let's go!
Remembering the baseball player of a century ago, Shoeless Joe Jackson, we certainly wouldn't want to add a Toeless Paul Macko to the list (but, to be honest, that's the first time in my life I've ever written or typed that word...I reckon a podiatrist would have a different POV, though, in that direction)!
But, to your far more important point, yes, Nic had an infinitely enviable gig in the '80s, and I'm pickled tink that he's entrusting me with the thrilling task of adding the FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE trinkets and adornments to his eye-popping encounters in musical '80s London!
I debated whether or not revealing the Bowie AND Paul stories in one piece would leave us dry too soon, but peeking ahead into Nic's studio "datebook" a bit, I'm confident that his cupboard (unlike Old Mother Hubbard's empty one) is chock full of riveting and jaw-dropping stories!
And, thank you, Toeful Paul, for your kind words and raves! Stay tuned!🎶😁👍
FYI, I still have all my toes. If I were a car I'd be a Dodge. However, I have no nipples, anymore. If I were an actor, my name would be Nippless Cage. My buddies call me
Paully NoNips. Kinda gangster, you think? These puns are getting bad...toe is me :)
lol
If I were a car, I'd be re-tired. In fact, I'm not a car and I'm retired. The more things change (or get filled with air), the more they stay (until someone starts the engine).
This has been fascinating to read. As a London resident, as a sound enthusiast, and as a music lover. Thank you, Nic, for sharing such a monumental story, and thank you, Brad, for putting it all together so masterfully (as always). I usually walk past many of the places mentioned in the piece, but never been inside any of these legendary studios. This post made me feel like I was right there!
Thank you, Andres. If you're anywhere near Soho, on Wardour Street, take a walk up to The Ship pub, it's near where The Marquee Club was. Just by the pub you'll see St Anne's Court, about halfway down is Trident Studios, where Bowie recorded Ziggy Stardust. I started work there when I was about 18. That's coming soon. Whilst you're there, just around the corner is Heddon Street, outside number 23 would be a great location to get a selfie (maybe take some cardboard boxes with you)... BTW I'm wondering how Bowie somehow predicted Kanye West in 1972 on the album cover of ZS&TSFM... thoughts?
Dang, Andy...........if you don't, I will, and we're not even on the same continent! In fact, being in the correct one for this assignment, I guess that makes you in-continent! Be that as it may (or may not), if you make this journey, take the proper photos, and pass them along to moi, and I'll be happy to use them for our piece, and tag you in the process!📸
As for Nic's final puzzle.....my guess is that Bowie was both precious and prescient. I can actually picture that sign from memory, as many times as I've peered at that cover!
Absolutely!! I am in or around the area pretty much every day! I’ll be paying a couple of visits very soon!
Thank you, Nic! My office is just off Piccadilly Circus and my gym on Brewer Street in Soho, so I’m in the area pretty much every day!
Well, take a look online at some of the albums recorded at Trident, when you pass The Ship pub, just pop in there for a moment... pretty much every artist who recorded at Trident ended up in The Ship at some point...
nope, not that one, this one...
https://www.shipsoho.co.uk
Thanks a lot for this!!
Thanks, Andy! The good news is I love doing these (see https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz)!
The better news is, like an over-filled milk pitcher, Nic has more to spill!🥛
Fantastic. Keep ‘em coming!
Brilliant. Thanks for this!
Thank you, Seth........I'll let Nic, though, take the lion's share of the acclaim! I believe we've got more surprises ahead! Stay tuned!
I'm loving these insider tales. What a cool read!
Nic's da bomb, yo! Glad you're along for the ride, Jami! Just hang on.........tight!🎢😁🎶
Fascinating stuff, Nic! I love that BBC/ITV 'Classic Albums' documentary series where they talk to both musicians and Producers such as Eddie Kramer about how the album was recorded, produced, mixed, etc. So, I am looking forward to reading more of Nic's tales!
Oh, and by the way...AIR Studios is gorgeous!
Thanks, Michael, I also love watching great producers/engineers talking about recording... I think one of my favourites is Andy Wallace talking about recording Jeff Buckley's "Last Goodbye" (and the entire Grace album, including "Hallelujah"). I'm not sure if the whole thing is available anywhere without subscribing... so hopefully this isn't a blind alley... but if you can find it anywhere it's worth watching. https://mixwiththemasters.com/videos/andy-wallace-jeff-buckley-last-goodbye/part
Michael......yes, AIR Studios IS gorgeous! Unfortunately, what I mistakenly displayed as the original Oxford St. location was indeed the late-'80s newer studios (Lyndhurst Hall in Hampstead, North London)!
I now have up the exterior of the original Oxford St. location. It's hard to locate, online, accurately-captioned interior photos, because searching AIR will more often pull up pix of the more recent location! Here's a brief history of AIR and its locations over the years:
https://www.allstudios.co.uk/featured-studio/air-studios-london/
I apologize for the error, but the accurate photo is now in the article!
Always enjoy a 'behind the scenes' - especially with vintage photos of cool equipment!
Stay tuned, Bryan! Nic's got a million of 'em....OK, that might be an exaggeration, but he's got enough to keep us both busy bringin' 'em to ya! He had me at, "I've got some stories.....!"😱