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Tony Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maurice Anthony Edwards 30 June 1932 London |
| Died | 11 November 2010 London |
| Spouse(s) | Judy Moyens (m. 1966), Manuela King (m. 1984) |
Tony Edwards was a business entrepreneur and manager of bands including Deep Purple, Toyah Willcox and Johnny Clegg. [1]
Edwards was born into an affluent family in the clothing industry in 1932, spent his childhood between London and Brighton. His Bar Mitzvah was celebrated at the Royal Pavilion. [2] By the mid-1960s, Edwards found himself disillusioned with the clothing business. Concurrently working for his mother's company, he endeavored to secure a television appearance for Ayshea, a model-turned-singer, on the show "Ready Steady Go." [3] In 1966, he formed a connection with the show's producer, Vicki Wickham.
Through Wickham, Edwards encountered Chris Curtis, who left a lasting impression on him. In the subsequent year, Curtis reached out to Edwards, proposing that he take on the role of his manager, with the persuasive argument, "Brian is dead: you can be the next Brian Epstein," thereby suggesting a transition from the clothing industry to music management. [4]
Edwards, who provided the financial backing for the venture, utilized his personal shareholdings in the family business as collateral to fund the necessary equipment, living expenses, and rent. Despite not fully grasping the musical style being developed, he placed his trust in the artistic vision of the musicians, valuing their expertise over his own initial reactions.
“I financed the concept. All my personal shareholdings in the family business were there as collateral for financing equipment, subsistence, rents. I don’t think I was familiar with the sort of music they were creating. I was rather aghast, but I believed in artistic integrity and felt they knew better than I did.” [2]
In pursuit of his ambitions, Edwards brought on board John Coletta, a designer with an advertising background, and Ron Hire, to establish HEC Enterprises. This move was instrumental in the formation and launch of the band Roundabout. The group settled in a farmhouse in Hertfordshire, where they developed a sound deeply influenced by Vanilla Fudge, an American band renowned for their elaborate cover songs. Edwards' investment in a demo recording garnered attention from Parlophone and Tetragrammaton. Both labels were eager to promote a British band, leading to significant promotion of "Shades of Deep Purple," the debut album of the band, now renamed as Deep Purple.
Ian Paice, the drummer and sole continuous member of the band through its various line-ups, reflected on the early tumultuous days of Deep Purple, recognizing Edwards as a stabilizing presence amidst the frenetic and often volatile music industry.
Edwards remained as the manager of the band until their acrimonious split in 1976. [2]
The dissolution of Tetragrammaton in 1970 prompted Edwards to secure a deal with Warner Brothers in the United States and to establish Purple Records under the EMI group in 1971. The label achieved success with the release of "The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast" by Roger Glover & Guests in 1974. Another act under Edwards' management, the singer-songwriter duo Curtiss Maldoon, gained prominence when their song "Sepheryn" was reinterpreted by Clive Maldoon's niece, Christine Leach, and William Orbit, eventually becoming the title track of Madonna's 1998 album "Ray Of Light."
In 1977, Edwards co-founded Safari Records with John Craig, who had previously been involved with Oyster Records, a label associated with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow and the Strawbs. [4] Safari Records made headlines by signing Wayne County, a New York punk scene figure and transsexual artist, along with the British band The Electric Chairs. The group's release, the "Blatantly Offensive EP," soared to the top of the independent music charts.
The label also supported the punk band The Boys and their holiday-themed side project, The Yobs. Matt Dangerfield, the guitarist for The Boys, reminisced about Edwards as a remarkable figure from the classic era of the music business, recalling his distinctive appearance at a Marquee Club performance during the peak of the punk movement, clad in a tweed cape and deerstalker hat, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes.
Under Edwards' guidance, the artist Toyah Willcox transitioned from an independent music favorite to being named the Best Female Singer at the British Rock & Pop Awards in 1982. [5] Safari Records was known for its diverse and unconventional catalog, which included a punk-country rendition of Kenny Rogers' "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" performed by Gary Holton, and "Scatterlings of Africa" by Juluka, a South African band notable for its racially integrated lineup, led by Johnny Clegg.
Edwards died on November 11, 2010 at the London Clinic, aged 78. [6] At his funeral, the Deep Purple song, "You Keep On Moving" from Come Taste the Band was played, and Jon Lord represented the band.
Deep Purple guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore wrote about him:
“Tony was the man behind the scenes for Deep Purple. He was instrumental to the existence and sustenance of the band and its music from its inception to present day. Tony’s insight and intuitiveness were unparalleled in the music business. He will be thought of often and missed greatly. Without Tony Edwards there would be no Deep Purple. [7]
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in London in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical style has varied throughout their career. Originally formed as a psychedelic rock and progressive rock band, they shifted to a heavier sound with their 1970 album Deep Purple in Rock. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were listed in the 1975 Guinness Book of World Records as "the globe's loudest band" for a 1972 concert at London's Rainbow Theatre and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
Toyah Ann Willcox is an English singer, actress, and TV presenter. In a career spanning more than 40 years, she has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays and 10 feature films, and voiced and presented numerous television shows.
Burn is the eighth studio album by English rock band Deep Purple, released on 15 February 1974. It was the first album to feature then-unknown lead singer David Coverdale. The group's Mark III line-up, of which this was the recording debut, included Coverdale, Glenn Hughes on bass and vocals, Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Jon Lord on keyboards, and Ian Paice on drums.
Shades of Deep Purple is the debut album by the English rock band Deep Purple, released in July 1968 on Tetragrammaton in the United States and in September 1968 on Parlophone in the United Kingdom. The band, initially called Roundabout, was the idea of former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis, who recruited Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore before leaving the project. The Mk. I line-up of the band was completed by vocalist/frontman Rod Evans, along with bassist Nick Simper and drummer Ian Paice, in March 1968.
Deep Purple, also referred to as Deep Purple III, is the third studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple, released in June 1969 on Tetragrammaton Records in the United States and only in September 1969 on Harvest Records in the United Kingdom. Its release was preceded by the single "Emmaretta" and by a long tour in the UK, whose dates were interspersed between the album's recording sessions.
The Book of Taliesyn is the second studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple, recorded only three months after Shades of Deep Purple and released by Tetragrammaton Records in October 1968, just before their first US tour. The name for the album was taken from the 14th-century Book of Taliesin.
Tetragrammaton Records was an American record label founded in 1968 by music industry executives Roy Silver, Bruce Post Campbell, Marvin Deane, and comedian Bill Cosby. Silver, at the time, was also Cosby's manager. The term "Tetragrammaton" refers to the Hebrew name of God considered by some to be unspeakable. The label's most successful act was rock band Deep Purple.
Ian Gillan is an English singer who is best known as the lead singer and lyricist for the rock band Deep Purple. He is known for his powerful and wide-ranging singing voice.
Toyah was an English new wave band fronted by namesake Toyah Willcox between 1977 and 1983. The only other consistent band member throughout this period was Joel Bogen, Willcox's principal co-writer and guitarist.
The Blue Meaning is the second studio album by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released in 1980 by Safari Records. It reached the Top 40 on the UK Albums Chart.
Inglewood: Live in California is a live album by Deep Purple. It was recorded in Los Angeles on 18 October 1968, as the supporting band for Cream, at their Farewell Tour. One of the very few live recordings featuring the Mark I lineup, it was finally released in 2002 on Purple Records.
"Victims of the Riddle" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as the band's debut single in 1979 by Safari Records. The song later featured on the band's album Sheep Farming in Barnet.
"Bird in Flight" is a song by the English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1980 by Safari Records.
Curtiss Maldoon was a folk music duo from England, formed by Dave Curtiss and Clive Maldoon.
Purple Records was a record label established in 1971 by Deep Purple's management. Their releases were distributed by EMI and now by Universal Music Group after the EMI acquisition. The label was run until 1979. Until 1974 the label was used for Deep Purple releases, band members' solo work and releases by other artists signed to the label. From 1974 a decision was made to release only Deep Purple and members' solo work on the imprint and a subsidiary label, Oyster, was established for other work. In 1997 Simon Robinson, from RPM Records, established a second label, releasing rare and previously unissued recordings. Although Universal continues to use the original logo, Robinson designed a new logo for his label.
Bodast were a late 1960s rock group from London, England. Its most notable member was Steve Howe, later to join the progressive rock band Yes. Members were Clive Skinner on guitar and vocals, Dave Curtiss on bass and Bobbie Clarke on drums. The name of the group came from the first two letters of the members' first names: BObbie, DAve, STeve.
Deep Purple in Rock is the fourth studio album by English rock band Deep Purple, released on 5 June 1970. It was the first studio album recorded by the Mark II line-up of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice.
Safari Records was a British independent record label based in London, England, and operating between 1977 and 1985. Safari Records was formed early in 1977 by Tony Edwards, Andreas Budde and John Craig who previously ran Purple and Oyster Records. With the label's founders living in Paris, Berlin and London respectively, the plan was to develop a pan-European record company that would release pop records. Licensing deals were struck with Teldec in Germany and Disques Vogue in France, in the UK its product was pressed and distributed by Pye and later by Spartan Records. Most notable of the label's acts were Wayne County, The Boys, Toyah and the South Africa's first multiracial band Juluka.
Keith Hale is an English songwriter, composer, record producer, performer and music teacher, most notable for his work with Toyah Willcox, Hawkwind and Ginger Baker.
"It's a Mystery" is a song by English new wave band Toyah, fronted by Toyah Willcox, released as a single in 1981 by Safari Records. The song was a hit in the UK where it peaked in the Top 5 in the charts as the lead track on the EP Four from Toyah.