EMI are inviting former employees at the Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes, to come back and share their memories of the iconic site.
The factory was a major employer for the town and produced records by some of the world’s best-known artists, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Cliff Richard.
The reunion will take place on Wednesday, February 3, from 10am-1pm and is hosted by the EMI Archive Trust in conjunction with the BBC for their People’s History of Pop project.
Back in the day: The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes
If you would like to come along, send your RSVP details to 7Wonder, the production company working with BBC on the People’s History of Pop project, at: phop@7wonder.co.uk or telephone 0203 701 7615.
Read the full article by KATHERINE CLEMENTINE www.getwestlondon.co.uk 25th January 2016
Sound Of The Hound 
I would loved to have gone for a trip down memory lane but living in Cheshire I am unable to attend. I do hope that Joe BATTEN, who you know was a Artistic Director of Columbia between 1926 and 1934 is remembered as Freddie GEISBERG’s opposite number and who produced many popular recordings in those very early days. Thank you
I would loved to have gone for a trip down memory lane but living in Cheshire I am unable to attend. I do hope that Joe BATTEN, who you know was a Artistic Director of Columbia between 1926 and 1934 is remembered as Freddie GEISBERG’s opposite number and who produced many popular recordings in those very early days. Thank you
Michael Batten
Hello Michael, Joe Batten a real recording pioneer. I notice you share your name with the great man are you related?
Yes, he was my grandfather and so I am very proud of his achievements and believe that he should get more recognition. You probably know he wrote his autobiography (just like Freddie Geisberg) shortly before he died in 1955, which is regarded in some quarters as an almost unique record (excuse the pun!) of the the very early days of recording. I have quite a few of his personal possessions which I treasure and am still researching his life’s work with a view to up dating his biography and broadening it’s appeal. I hope at some stage to republish his memoirs using new media.
Thank you for your interest
Michael Batten
Living in Cheshire
Hello Michael, Your book sounds fascinating. Please keep in touch on your progress.
Sirs
I cannot believe that you have not mentioned Elvis Presley in your lists of best known artists. HMV IN 1956 launched Elvis’ career in the UK with “Heartbreak Hotel and also gave him his first UK number one with “All Shook Up”
Also there were three very successful albums and two excellent “EPs”
Please give credit where it is due!!
Mike Davis
Sent from Windows Mail
Of course, it wasn’t really a ‘Vinyl factory’ (i.e. a factory manufacturing the material known as vinyl), it was a ‘Record factory’, making records out of shellac for several decades before vinyl began in the early 1950s,and for some years thereafter. The Elvis Presley records were available in shellac, for example.
Thanks Christopher, Presley on 78s – now that would be interesting to listen to.