R2OK!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6737

On BBC Four

Episode 1/3

Money Makers

Three-part series revealing the secret history of pop and rock from the men and women who pull the strings behind the scenes.
Programme one tells the story of the maverick managers who controlled the careers of megastar artists, from Colonel Parker (Elvis) right the way up to Scooter Braun (Justin Bieber). Along the way are rollicking tales of industry legends like Led Zeppelin's Peter Grant, and Don Arden, who managed the Small Faces, Black Sabbath and ELO.
Narrated by Simon Napier-Bell, it also features contributions from Andrew Loog Oldham (the Rolling Stones), Jon Landau (Bruce Springsteen), Bill Curbishley (the Who), Paul McGuinness (U2) and Jonathan Dickins (Adele).

Haven't seen this first episode yet but it looks to be interesting viewing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p039w64c

The Guardian describes it as "a gem"

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jan/15/music-moguls-masters-of-pop-review

Ian Robinson · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:18 am Post subject:

It was enjoyable, but a bit shallow. Perhaps the rest of the series will get into the nitty-gritty.

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

Really enjoyed it. What a nasty piece of work Don Arden was.

I always liked Peter Grant. A naughty man, but he secured the best deals for Led Zeppelin, eg getting 90% instead of 70% of the income from concerts, from which future bands have benefited.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7156 Location: North Yorkshire

I really enjoyed this too. I didn't know that Sharon Osbourne was Don Arden's daughter and I never knew the real reason that Elvis Presley didn't tour other countries either. I will look forward to the next episode to see what else I can learn.
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Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6737

I enjoyed it,too.

I already knew some of what was shown in it.

There was an excellent Reunion episode on Radio 4 a good while ago with some of the pop stars of the day discussing the 'good old days' and Larry Parnes

Tommy Steele was discovered in the 2i's Coffee Bar in Old Compton Street in Soho, as was Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Mickie Most, Joe Brown, Vince Taylor and Terry Dene amongst many others. The person who discovered him, Larry Parnes, was the UK's first pop manager.
In this programme, Sue MacGregor will be discussing those days with Bruce Welch from The Shadows, Terry Dene, Vince Eager and Marty Wilde who all signed up with Larry Parnes and Clem Cattini, who played drums with all of them

It's still available

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zq9vm

Ed Bicknell looks to be a bit of a character. Very Happy

childprufe · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 212 Location: lincolnshire

Watched this last night. Peter Grant was a formidable piece of work but there again he had with him as a supposed "roadie" John Bindon, who Reggie Kray described as the "hardest man in London." Unfortunately it was Bindon and Bonzo Bonham who caused the fight that curtailed the tour. All the last of their breed...........
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Standing on Ray Moore's shoulders

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6737