Nipper

Our bodies in 3D

Science Museum September Talk by: Professor Adrian Thomas, Clinical Director for Radiology for South London Healthcare NHS Trust Thursday 20 September 2012, 4 – 5pm In 2009, the Science Museum’s centenary year, the public voted the x-ray machine as the most important object in its collections. Arguably the CT (computerised tomography) scanner, which was announcedContinue reading “Our bodies in 3D”

The New Sound Of Music 1979

The New Sound of Music is a fascinating BBC historical documentary from the year 1979. It charts the development of recorded music from the first barrel organs, pianolas, the phonograph, the magnetic tape recorder and onto the concepts of musique concrete and electronic music development with voltage-controlled oscillators making up the analogue synthesizers of theContinue reading “The New Sound Of Music 1979”

The oldest-known EMI recording desk

By Brain Kehew This mixer is the oldest-known EMI recording desk in existence. It was a bespoke design made for Abbey Road studios (then called the EMI Recording Studios Ltd.) When the studio complex was young, there was very little commercially-made studio equipment; so studios built their own. This desk is an early example ofContinue reading “The oldest-known EMI recording desk”

Florrie Forde’s lost Blue Plaque

By Roger Neil In 2006 I proposed to English Heritage that they put up one of their Blue Plaques in London to the music hall legend, Florrie Forde. They were enthused and started the apparently long and arduous task of researching her life and work and homes. Florrie was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1876Continue reading “Florrie Forde’s lost Blue Plaque”

American Harrison Dillard, oldest 100-meter Olympic champion, honored in London

In 1948 two Olympic Torches were made by E.M.I Ltd, designed by Ralph Lavers and donated to the Organising Committee of the XIV Olympic Games. LONDON 2012 – the oldest 100-meter Olympic champion is back in London for the games. 89-year-old American, Harrison Dillard, was honored Wednesday at Britain’s Foreign Office where the 1948 EMI TorchContinue reading “American Harrison Dillard, oldest 100-meter Olympic champion, honored in London”

Lord, Jon ( 1941- 2012)

Jon Lord obituary Organist who infused Deep Purple with classical influences, helping to make them one of the world’s biggest rock bands Written by Joel Mclver, originally published by The Guardian, Monday 16 July 2012 Jon Lord’s unique keyboard playing with Deep Purple was often copied. Photograph: Fin Costello/Redferns ‘We’re as valid as anything by Beethoven,”Continue reading “Lord, Jon ( 1941- 2012)”

Joe Batten’s Book: The Story of Sound Recording

SOTH would like to thank our latest contributor Michael Lloyd-Davies for his insightful review on the memoirs of Joe Batten – pioneer recording manager. By Michael Lloyd-Davies In his foreward to Joe Batten’s memoirs, Joe is described by Sir Compton McKenzie as “that other great recorder” bracketed with Freddy Gaisberg. Joe Batten’s story isContinue reading “Joe Batten’s Book: The Story of Sound Recording”

From Outside, In: Discovering the EMI Archive at Hayes – part 1

SOTH is delighted to welcome our latest contributor Brian Kehew who join’s our ever growing list of esteemed contributors. Brian is a LA based musician and music producer. He is a member of The Moog Cookbook and co-author of the Recording The Beatles book, an in-depth look at the Beatles’ studio approach. Kehew isContinue reading “From Outside, In: Discovering the EMI Archive at Hayes – part 1”

The Duke of Edinburgh records at Abbey Road Studios!!

Our friends from EMI Archive Trust have given SOTH this exclusive picture of The Duke of Edinburgh recording during his visit to Abbey Road Studios. Here is a selection of his most notable quotes as he offers his own unique advice to people all over the world. On approaching his 90th birthday: “Bits are beginning to drop off”. To EltonContinue reading “The Duke of Edinburgh records at Abbey Road Studios!!”

The arrival of wire-less

By Roger Neil I found this interview with Guglielmo Marconi in Leslie Baily’s BBC Scrapbooks. It was conducted in 1896 shortly after Marconi had installed a transmitter on the roof of the GPO and a receiver in a building on the Thames Embankment, 500 yards away. “Was the message quite clearly received?” asked theContinue reading “The arrival of wire-less”