New podcast episode in which we tell the tale of the UK recording industry’s Employee #1. William Barry Owen.

With these episodes focusing on the life and work of the mighty Fred Gaisberg, we may have given the impression that he was his own boss. That would be wrong. Working for The Gramophone Company in London, Fred was answerable to a man called William Barry Owen. In this episode we tell Owen’s story. ItContinue reading “New podcast episode in which we tell the tale of the UK recording industry’s Employee #1. William Barry Owen.”

Episode 3 of our podcast is published today – recording nineteenth comedy, pornographic and propaganda records

In the early days of recorded sound, no one can quite figure out the purpose of gramophones. Are they serious bits of kit for replicating music or are they toys? Should gramophone discs play music or comedy or something else entirely? One man trying to work out this conundrum is an American actor called RussellContinue reading “Episode 3 of our podcast is published today – recording nineteenth comedy, pornographic and propaganda records”

Actual record taken on the front line, France, near Lille, 9th October 1918

In honour of all those who lost their lives in the First World War. Actual record taken on the front line, France, near Lille – 9th October 1918. • Recording: Gas shell bombardment • Royal Garrison Artillery • Record: HMV 09308 • Company: The Gramophone Company • Location: Lille, near France • Date of recording:Continue reading “Actual record taken on the front line, France, near Lille, 9th October 1918”

Mystery Object of the week #13 Answer

A hearty Christmas congratulations to Catherine Crump and Rob de Bie who correctly identified last weeks’ mystery object – The Ivor Novello Award also known as The Ivors. Named after the Cardiff – born entertainer Ivor Novello these have been presented annually in London by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) since 1955. This award was presented to EMI RecordsContinue reading “Mystery Object of the week #13 Answer”

HOLY BAT LOGIC ADAM WEST IS ON TARGET!

We know how our Hound readers like little quirky stories – so when our eagle eyed EMI archivist saw the 200th episode of Big Bang with Adam West she remembered the  pics of him held deep in the EMI vault! The record was on Target ….which we think was licensed to EMI. We’d love to hear from ourContinue reading “HOLY BAT LOGIC ADAM WEST IS ON TARGET!”

Tonight – People’s History of Pop

The first episode of the People’s History of Pop is to be broadcast on BBC Four at 9pm tonight, as part of the year-long My Generation season. Photo courtesy of BBC People’s History of Pop Episode one sees Twiggy unearth pop treasures including a recording of John Lennon’s first-ever recorded performance with his band The Quarrymen, at aContinue reading “Tonight – People’s History of Pop”

EMI are taking a trip down memory lane at Hayes Old Vinyl Factory

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 takeContinue reading “EMI are taking a trip down memory lane at Hayes Old Vinyl Factory”

Rare Recordings – From The EMI Vaults #2

Moo! Baa! Oink! Quack! or Happy New Year! We are proud to present another rare recording uncovered by our friends from the EMI Archive Trust. 118 years ago Trevor Lloyd Williams, legal eagle and first Chairman of The Gramophone Company, stepped into the newly established Maiden Lane studio to record his famous party piece of farmyard animal sounds! The resultContinue reading “Rare Recordings – From The EMI Vaults #2”

Rare Recordings – From The EMI Vaults

Miss Christabel Pankhurst – Speech on Suffrage for Women Christabel Pankhurst, a leading Suffragette, was one of the primary strategists of the campaign for women’s right to vote in the first decades of the twentieth century. Christabel was jailed in 1907 and 1909 and was dubbed the ‘Queen of the Mob’ by the media, asContinue reading “Rare Recordings – From The EMI Vaults”

Many Happy Returns

The Hound is please to present some more metaphorical memories from our resident philosopher Wayne Shevlin. Many Happy Returns I may not know much, but I know what I like. And – like most people – I only like what I know. But, how do we discover, and thus get to know the music we like?Continue reading “Many Happy Returns”