Joe Meek (1929-1967) was an incredibly imaginative and progressive independ… Read Full Bio ↴Joe Meek (1929-1967) was an incredibly imaginative and progressive independent record producer and songwriter. Despite being tone-deaf and not being able to play a musical instrument or write notation, Meek displayed a remarkable facility for writing and producing successful commercial recordings. In writing songs he was reliant on musicians such as Dave Adams, Geoff Goddard or Charles Blackwell to transcribe melodies and chord-progressions from his "demos". He worked on 245 singles, of which 45 were major hits (top fifty or better).
He pioneered studio tools such as multiple over-dubbing on one- and two-track machines, close miking, direct input of bass-guitars, the compressor, and effects like echo and reverb, as well as sampling. Unlike other producers, his search was for the "right sound" rather than for a catchy musical tune, and throughout his brief career he single-mindedly followed his quest to create a unique "sonic signature" for every record he produced.
At a time when many studio engineers were still wearing white coats and assiduously trying to maintain clarity and fidelity, Meek, the maverick, was producing everything on the three floors of his home studio and was never afraid to distort or manipulate the sound if it created the effect he was seeking. For the song "Johnny Remember Me" he placed the violins on the stairs, the drummer almost in the bathroom, and the brass section on a different floor entirely.
Meek was one of the first producers to grasp and fully exploit the possibilities of the modern recording studio. His innovative techniques -- physically separating instruments, treating instruments and voices with echo and reverb, processing the sound through his fabled home-made electronic devices, the combining of separately-recorded performances and segments into a painstakingly constructed composite recording -- comprised a major breakthrough in sound production. Up to that time, the standard technique for recordings, regardless of musical genre, was to record all the performers in one studio playing together in real time as the music was cut live to tape all at once. Joe Meek's recording techniques (as well as the recording techniques of Les Paul) did much to further the art of record production as we know it today.
Besides his idiosyncratic music production, many of Meek's character eccentricities continue to capture the imagination of people today. Although never properly diagnosed, it is believed today by many that Meek suffered from bipolar disorder type one (some even suggest further that he was paranoid-schizophrenic). Meek was obsessed with outer space, the occult and the idea of "the other side". He would set up tape machines in graveyards in a vain attempt to record voices from beyond the grave, in one instance capturing the meows of a cat he claimed was speaking in human tones, asking for help. In particular, he had an obsession with Buddy Holly (claiming the late American rocker had communicated with him in dreams). His professional efforts were often hindered by his paranoia (Meek was known to tear up his walls as he was convinced that Decca Records would put hidden microphones behind his wallpaper in order to steal his ideas), drug use, and attacks of sudden rage and depression.
Meek's homosexuality (illegal in the UK at the time) also put him under pressure during his career. He had been charged with "importuning for immoral purposes" in 1963 and was consequently subjected to blackmail. In January of 1967, police in Tattingstone, Suffolk, discovered a suitcase containing the mutilated body of Bernard Oliver, an alleged rent boy who had previously associated with Meek. According to some accounts, Meek became concerned that he would be involved in the murder investigation when the Metropolitan police stated that they would be interviewing all known homosexuals in the city. On February 3rd, 1967, the eighth anniversary of Buddy Holly's death, Meek killed his landlady Violet Shenton and then himself with a single barreled shotgun that he had confiscated from his protegé, former The Tornados' bassist and solo star Heinz Burt. Joe Meek was 37 at the time of his death.
He pioneered studio tools such as multiple over-dubbing on one- and two-track machines, close miking, direct input of bass-guitars, the compressor, and effects like echo and reverb, as well as sampling. Unlike other producers, his search was for the "right sound" rather than for a catchy musical tune, and throughout his brief career he single-mindedly followed his quest to create a unique "sonic signature" for every record he produced.
At a time when many studio engineers were still wearing white coats and assiduously trying to maintain clarity and fidelity, Meek, the maverick, was producing everything on the three floors of his home studio and was never afraid to distort or manipulate the sound if it created the effect he was seeking. For the song "Johnny Remember Me" he placed the violins on the stairs, the drummer almost in the bathroom, and the brass section on a different floor entirely.
Meek was one of the first producers to grasp and fully exploit the possibilities of the modern recording studio. His innovative techniques -- physically separating instruments, treating instruments and voices with echo and reverb, processing the sound through his fabled home-made electronic devices, the combining of separately-recorded performances and segments into a painstakingly constructed composite recording -- comprised a major breakthrough in sound production. Up to that time, the standard technique for recordings, regardless of musical genre, was to record all the performers in one studio playing together in real time as the music was cut live to tape all at once. Joe Meek's recording techniques (as well as the recording techniques of Les Paul) did much to further the art of record production as we know it today.
Besides his idiosyncratic music production, many of Meek's character eccentricities continue to capture the imagination of people today. Although never properly diagnosed, it is believed today by many that Meek suffered from bipolar disorder type one (some even suggest further that he was paranoid-schizophrenic). Meek was obsessed with outer space, the occult and the idea of "the other side". He would set up tape machines in graveyards in a vain attempt to record voices from beyond the grave, in one instance capturing the meows of a cat he claimed was speaking in human tones, asking for help. In particular, he had an obsession with Buddy Holly (claiming the late American rocker had communicated with him in dreams). His professional efforts were often hindered by his paranoia (Meek was known to tear up his walls as he was convinced that Decca Records would put hidden microphones behind his wallpaper in order to steal his ideas), drug use, and attacks of sudden rage and depression.
Meek's homosexuality (illegal in the UK at the time) also put him under pressure during his career. He had been charged with "importuning for immoral purposes" in 1963 and was consequently subjected to blackmail. In January of 1967, police in Tattingstone, Suffolk, discovered a suitcase containing the mutilated body of Bernard Oliver, an alleged rent boy who had previously associated with Meek. According to some accounts, Meek became concerned that he would be involved in the murder investigation when the Metropolitan police stated that they would be interviewing all known homosexuals in the city. On February 3rd, 1967, the eighth anniversary of Buddy Holly's death, Meek killed his landlady Violet Shenton and then himself with a single barreled shotgun that he had confiscated from his protegé, former The Tornados' bassist and solo star Heinz Burt. Joe Meek was 37 at the time of his death.
Tribute To Buddy Holly
Joe Meek Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Tribute To Buddy Holly' by these artists:
Berry Mike Woahh yeahh Snow was snowing Wing was blowing When the worl…
Buddy Holly Well, that'll be the day, when you say goodbye Yes, that'll…
Mike Berry Good Charlotte Miscellaneous Tribute to Kylie Joel: It's …
Mike Berry & The Outlaws Woahh yeahh Snow was snowing Wing was blowing When the worl…
Mike Berry/the Outlaws Woahh yeahh Snow was snowing Wing was blowing When the worl…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Joe Meek:
All My Loving Close your eyes and I'll kiss you Tomorrow I'll miss you Rem…
Blue Blue Heartache Our guardian star lost all his glow The day that…
Don't You Rock Me Daddy-0 Me and my daddy was coming into town (Sail away lady…
Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O Me and my daddy was coming into town (Sail away lady…
Don't you think it's time Hey, hey, baby Where'd you think you're runnin' to Hey, he…
Garden of Eden When you walk in the garden In the garden of Eden With…
I I hear a new world I hear a new world…
I Hear a New World I hear a new world I hear a new world…
I Hear a New World Excerpt I hear a new world I hear a new world…
Johnny Remember Me When the mist's a-rising And the rain is falling And…
Magic Star "Telstar Telstar Listen to me..." Magic star above Sen…
Mr. Blue Our guardian star lost all his glow The day that…
My Oh My! Close your eyes and I'll kiss you Tomorrow I'll miss you Rem…
Please Stay If I got on my knees and I pleaded with…
Sugaree I got a letter from my baby She said she's comin'…
The Garden of Eden When you walk in the garden In the garden of Eden With…
Walkin' With My Angel Ain't no guy in town Who would ever try to put…
What do you want to make those eyes at me for What do ya wanna make those eyes at me for…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Stefan Woehlke
For me the very best Buddy Holly tribute song ever! Such an awesome track - so very, very much for posting it from Germany!!!
Sven Förster
Not to forget Eddie Cochran's masterpiece tribute song "Three Stars", which also contains the plane crash of 2/3/1959.
Tony Atwood
An absolutely outstanding recording! I came across this, when I bought a compilation CD of rare pre-Beatle British top hits of the early 60s. It sends shivers down my spine when I hear that song, the guitar riff, and Mike Berry's incredible strong rock n roll voice! Hard to believe, he was Mr Spooner in Are You Being Served! What a performer!
john brunton
This is such a Great tribute to the legend
Ian thomson newman
When that disc was produced, I was living, with my folks, just a few blocks away from Joe Meek´s studio, but I didn´t know it. I think that Meek´s most stupendous production was "Johnny Remember Me". Other worthy tributes to Buddy Holly were Tommy Roe´s "Sheila" and Don McLean "American Pie".
Sven Förster
Marsterpiece Ever.. Geoff Goddard, Joe Meek and Mike Berry = Written Music History = Tribute To Buddy Holly..
John Robertson
brilliant song
PaulLonden
Brilliant ! Poor Buddy (and Ritchie and Big Bopper) the seldom flight they took....while characters like the Rolling Stones sat one third of their long lives in planes , without so much as a hickup...probably their deal with the devil....😈👍🏿🛫
David Barnett
Man oh man! I was 15 at the time and watching the morning TV news before going to school. I couldn't believe Buddy, Richie, and The Big Bopper were dead. The music did die in 1959, or rock 'n roll music. Jerry Lee's music career was dead after he married his 13 year old cousin, while simultaneously still married to his wife. Little Richard had retired and gone into the ministry. Elvis was still in the Army in Germany. Chuck Berry would face charges of 'transporting a minor across state lines'. Payola would soon destroy the lives of once famous disk jockey's like Alan Freed. Some of the teen idols of the time were singing more orchestral backed ballads. The 'crown prince of rock 'n roll', Ricky Nelson, was still trying to carry on but record producers were doing their best to make rock 'n roll more of a saccharine genre, Eddie Cochran would be lost, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps along with Bill Haley & The Comets would be more appreciated across the pond, Bobby Darin would evolve into the finger snappin' big band singer, and The Platters would soon find themselves in serious trouble with charges of drugs and prostitution.
In March of 1963 I was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany for 3 years and the 'discovery' of Radio Lux and English language broadcasts at night restored my faith that the folks across the pond still played good ol' rock 'n roll. Thank goodness for the 1964 'British Invasion' that breathed life back into the genre.
Neal Schier
Great summation! Nice and consice job of reminding us what was happening in music in those years.