Hank '78

[drakula63]

A rather nice shot of a contemplative looking Hank in the studio.

According to Getty, the picture is dated 30th January 1978. I can't think what Hank might have been in the studio with in Jan '78, so maybe the pic was taken in 1977? In which case I suppose it MIGHT be during the recording of either 'Tasty' or 'The Hank Marvin Guitar Syndicate'. Or did he produce an album for Des O'Connor at about that time? Oh well, either way, a good shot of Hank minus guitar for a change! P.S. His jacket looks very much like the kind of jackets they wore in season two of Space: 1999...

[JimN]

Hank did produce a 1978 Des O'Connor LP: "Another Side":

Pye (UK) (1978); NSPL 18559 (stereo)

1. I Can't Help Myself
2. Silver Lady
3. Almost Like A Song
4. Feel The Warm
5. Goodtime Charlie
6. Massachusetts Turnpike

1. Chicago
2. Sam
3. I Can't Smile Without You
4. There She Goes Again
5. It Doesn't Matter Anymore
6. Midnight Blue

Never released on a CD as far as I know, but often available in bargain bins for £1 or so (that's how I got mine).

The number - NSPL 18559 - was in sequence with various other LPs from the same period (of course).

For instance, ten numbers previously, NSPL 18549 (Joe Dolan), is also a 1978 release, whereas NSPL 18537 (Brotherhood of Man) was a 1977 release.

NSPL 18595 (Rex Harrison) was also a 1978 release, but NSPL 18602 (George Melly) is listed as a 1979 issue.

The list from which I am quoting https://secondhandsongs.com/label/276 - is incomplete, but it looks as though Pye may have issued about fifty LPs in 1978 in the NSPL series, starting with a number around 18549 and running up to about 18600.

The Des O'Connor album falls about one-fifth of the way through that and (assuming a spread of releases throughout the year) may have been issued in about March 1978.

If that is the case (it's just a calculation from a limited amount of data), it isn't likely that it was recorded in early 1978. 1977 is more probable.

[George Geddes]

Hank was apparently keen for Side 2, track 3 to be a single, but Des or the record company disagreed.

Shortly thereafter, Mr B Manilow recorded it and had a huge hit...
George

[drakula63]

Thanks for the info... So it could well be that the photo of Hank was taken during the recording of the Des O'Connor LP. A shame they missed out on what would surely have been a HUGE hit singe! Just goes to show how Hank has always had impeccable taste and judgement!

I really must get around to getting this LP, along with the one Bruce produced for Cilla in 1980. I already have the two that Brian produced for Dennis Waterman, so I may as well complete the set!!!

[GoldenStreet]

Following on from Jim's post, the Discogs entry for Another Side gives no clue as to the recording date(s), but the most of the 'usual suspects' are present providing their expert musical skills!

https://www.discogs.com/Des-OConnor-Ano ... se/5843207

Bill

[Moderne]

There's a photo on the back cover of the Another Side LP showing Hank and Des O'Connor in the studio and it's from the same session (Hank wearing Space 1999 top!)

You can find it if you search 'Hank Marvin' and 'Des O'Connor' on Google Images. Can't seem to copy it.

[Iain Purdon]

Here it is

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/sabochan_mushokun/55441796.html

[drakula63]

Brilliant!

Yeah, we were all wearing THOSE kind of jackets in 1977... weren't we? Just me and Hank then! I gather that shortly after those photos were taken, Hank had to give the jacket back to Martin Landau because he needed it down at Pinewood. Probably.

Great line up on the album. No drums? Perhaps Brian was busy?