Mailbag

From: Tim Palmer
Subject: Sandy Roberton

Bob,

I'm completely devastated to report that my manager of almost 40 years, the legendary Sandy Roberton has died.

I first met him while I was engineering for a German producer/client of Sandy's called Zeus B. Held in London. We were working on the Dead or Alive album. Sandy took me for a Chinese lunch on King's Road, offered to manage me, and the rest is history. I was 22 and we have been friends and worked together ever since.

He was an incredible man, full of energy and determination. To say 'he never stopped' would be totally accurate. He was always available and was always coming up with new ideas.

Even at the very end of his battle against cancer, he made me laugh out loud with one of his texts. I asked him how he was doing and told him that I was thinking about him and he replied 'Would you be interested in mixing the new Andrea Bocelli album?' From his hospital bed, instead of trying to get well, he was still calling labels and looking for projects for his clients!

Sandy has done everything from being an artist and performing in the 60s, to being a manager for many artists and running publishing companies. He produced records for many years, but finally decided he wanted to represent producers and set up World's End Management in 1980 with Paul Brown (in the World's End part of Chelsea, hence the name 'World's End management')

After taking me on, he got things moving fast, he took me to meet all the labels and helped me navigate the waters. The gigs he managed to secure for me were incredible, especially as I was pretty inexperienced at that point.
I was working with Robert Plant and David Bowie before I was 26.

Sandy changed the landscape for producers and especially mixers. In the same way that Jimmy Hill got soccer players the money they deserved, Sandy pushed for better deals and royalties for his producers and succeeded in getting them …even for mixers which was pretty unknown at that time. He basically created the genre of producer management.

I always remember him calling me at Ridge Farm Studios and telling me he had secured a royalty for me on the Pearl Jam Ten album, he said 'One day, one of these albums will blow up and you will thank me'... he was right…I still thank him to this day.

In 1985 Sandy moved to LA to start World's End America and the days of the World's End Management offices on Martel Ave in Hollywood were legendary. I think Sandy was managing about 60 producers by this time. I used to love to just stop by to see Sandy, read all the trade mags, and hang with the gang. It was an exciting time for us all. Sandy was running the biggest and best producer management company of that time..

Another perfect Sandy story…In the 90's things were starting to get a little quieter for me than usual and Sandy called me to ask if I would consider mixing some songs on the upcoming Michael Hutchence (INXS) album. This was soon after Michael had sadly died.
In true SR style…

'Look, Bono is a guest vocalist on one of these songs, do an amazing job mixing these tracks and Bono will hear them and ask you to mix on the next U2 album'
I laughed at his thought process and positive thinking, but that's exactly what happened!

In recent history, as our industry changed so much, Sandy and I both adapted to new ways of working. Sadly this meant we both retreated to our home studios, and home offices, and we didn't see each other so much.
Sandy eventually returned to London.

I was very fortunate to be able to see Sandy a couple of weeks ago. His health deteriorated so fast, the only blessing is that he didn't have to suffer for too long.

I am not a religious man, but if Sandy does get to meet Saint Peter, Sandy Roberton will be on the guest list!

Sandy, thank you for all the friendship, the advice, the conversation, the laughs, and the hard work. I would not have managed to have this career without you.
Godspeed Sandy!

www.timpalmer.com
www.facebook.com/timpalmermixer
Instagram and Twitter timpalmermixer
https://open.spotify.com/user/palmertim/playlist/2zjrEutoEj0fL51uFaWXo1?si=Kescn_j4Sua50F8Q1-YhDA

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From: Harvey Goldsmith
Subject: RE: Mailbag last note on Springsteen

Dear Bob,
Re Bruce Springsteen
I have read a lot of correspondence regarding this matter.
Maybe I am not making myself clear enough.
The issues over ticket pricing and demand have been raging for years.
In truth the issue is not complicated.
The fault and the final decision on the way tickets are distributed and priced lies fairly and squarely on the management/ Artist.
The promoter is today always bidding on an act and will give it its best shot.
It is ultimately the manager who dictates terms, if the manager is doing a good job for the artist.
Promoters and ticket agents are trying to make a profit out of the terms agreed through the agent on behalf of the artist/manager.
If the manager/artist has no regard for its fans then scalping and price gauging will take place.
If the manager has a duty of care for the artists fans, then in discussion with the promoter steps can be taken to virtually prevent or at least
Severely limit tickets being inflated.
I work with a number of artists and managers who do not want their tickets gauged.
It is in their remit to instruct.
My argument with Landau/Springsteen is clearly they do not.
How does Ed Sheeran mange to tour globally with huge demand and prevent this ???
Easy
His manager tells the promoter that he wants tickets sold at the price issued and does not tolerate inflated prices or scalping.

My issue lies totally with management not the promoter ( unless the promoter is doing it without the knowledge of the artist)

Harvey Goldsmith

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From: Adam Hartley
Subject: Thank you so much for continuing to sing the praises of the Dragonfly Cobalt

Bob

Thank you so much for continuing to sing the praises of the Dragonfly Cobalt. Next to my iPhone 12 Pro Max, I think it's by far the best piece of technology that I've bought in years. It's easily the most revolutionary piece of music/audio/hi-fi technology I've owned since my very first iPod.

That comment from Gordon Rankin has led me to switch from Apple Music to Qobuz today and OMFG, why have I not done this before? It's just wonderful. I keep going back to my standards and discovering new things (Blue, Harvest, Kind of Blue) and most importantly also discovering TONS of new insanely great-sounding music (new Orbital album "30", Floating Point's "Promises", The Weather Station's "Ignorance" and 100s more).

AMAZING.

Adam

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RE: JEFF BECK
___

I first saw Jeff Beck when he toured on Wired. He played dazzling lines that nobody had ever imagined ever...it was electrifying.
In the 80's at shows he'd pull impossible sounds from his strat with just his fingers...I remember guitar players like myself in the audience yelling WTF!? He was ten years in the future as we listened and watched in awe. "Where Were You"? As Dave Gilmour said in the Beck documentary, it is basically impossible to play...that word again.

I got to interview Beck for MTV when he was on a double bill tour with Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1989. He was humble, and noted that he felt he'd been passed by the newer generation of players..."Adrian Belew and guys like that." An hour later interviewing SRV I asked what it was like to tour with Beck. I mentioned how he'd seemed humble and Stevie laughed, telling me a couple nights earlier Beck had sent it into outer space. A year later I got to replay the Beck conversation with Belew (a master at getting new sounds out of the electric guitar) he was "no no no Jeff Beck is the greatest player alive...introduce me to him and I'll tell him!"

Like you wrote, Beck is STILL

Michael Alex

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Beck really stretches what a guitar can do! His version of "A Day in the Life" is mesmerizing.

I had the pleasure of providing lighting for some of his tours so I went to as many shows as possible and he always blew me away. I loved watching the audience at his co-headline tours with Stevie Ray, Santana, and other great players. Guitar heaven!

John Lobel

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By the way, as another sign of Jeff Beck's progressive ways, he recently hired the drummer Anika Niles, who never had a gig of that stature before…..she built her career on YouTube—without living in any of the traditional "music cities" that young musicians are advised to live in—and her being hired by Jeff Beck is another very significant sign of the existence of a very real and very viable "new model" of career success that can be pursued in the digital age….

Regards,
Mark Feldman

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Thank you so much for this piece on Jeff Beck. I remember seeing Jeff Beck for the first time in Carnegie Hall in 1971 or 72 and he was amazing. As a teenager back then I was a huge fan of Jeff Beck and constantly argued with people that he was one of the best guitar players ever. I definitely had ongoing arguments with the Led Zeppelin crowd contending that Jeff back was a better guitar player than Jimmy Page. Fun times.

I saw him recently which I think was that 2018 tour that you spoke of. The innovation of that guy and his constant exploration into new things is truly amazing. And I loved the way your piece just captured the essence of the amazing greatness of this man. Just constantly pushing that envelope. As a musician it is an attribute to admire.

As always I so appreciate the great work that you do as it always brings joy to my heart.

Charlie Vanture

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I was at the Garden for the Ronnie Lane benefit years back. Everyone from the British firmament was there paying tribute.

There were 2 moments that stuck with me: Joe Cocker stopping everyone in their tracks with the 'Help From My Friends' scream, and the way Jeff Beck blew Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton back to the cheap seats. Beck's sound is transcendent and all about feel!

Amen Bob, great writing on the man.....

Steve Chrismar

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You forget that Jeff is also very humble, down to earth and soft spoken. My husband, Dennis, original drummer of Foreigner who retired 30 years ago was recording with The Roy Young Band in Kent, England in 1972. Beck who was a neighbor happened to have come by just in time to lend a hand and help my husband repair our old (banger) car which had broken down. He was the nicest guy.
:-)
Iona S. Elliott

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I can still remember a moment in the film The Secret Policeman's Other Ball when the whole group is onstage doing a version of "I Shall Be Released" led by Sting. Beck is a few feet behind the singer when he suddenly rips out this monstrous riff which causes about half the performers to turn back in wonder. That's how good he is. And don't forget "Wired," not as lauded as "Blow By Blow" but still a classic of the genre that he sort of invented.

David Vawter

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Hi Bob, you are spot on here.
I've said for years that JB can make a guitar sound like he soaring with condors at 20000 ft one minute, and wallow with pigs in the mud the next.
To my amusement, my kid repeated that back to me a week ago.
Cherers, good article.
Andrew Parr

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For me, a closet Jeff Beck fan, the zenith was "Guitar Shop". I saw that tour in 1989 with Stevie Ray Vaughn.
It's an amazing album, and still one I use testing speakers or audio setups.
This album sounds close to Guitar Shop!
Al Jones

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The guitar solo on Jon Bon Jovi's "Blaze of Glory", not Richie Sambora. It's Beck.

Colin Boyd

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Agreed Bob, "Cause We've Ended Now As Lovers" is the greatest guitar instrumental ever recorded. Felt that way some 50 years ago, still feel the same…transcendent!

Paul Kalenak

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As a guitar player, I couldn't agree more. Hendrix was brilliant, Beck is incandescent.

Craig Anderton

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What a waste of an opportunity bringing in Depp . I shall skip the singing tracks and mix liberally with the latest Frampton instrumental album for summer night playlist...

Steve Lillywhite

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There's Jeff Beck.. then there is everyone else!

NO ONE plays like he does and I have seen it up close having the honor of working with him in the past.

We just did a Festival with him and Johnny the other night in Europe and he just gets better and better every time. Like the finest wine on Earth.

Just stunning playing and a great band.

He was so good it does bring tears to your eyes.

His new take on Caroline No just kills me. I have not heard the rest of the record yet..

I did meet Johnny and he was probably the nicest most humble cat I have ever met. He knows who he is on stage with and they had a great time.

I have said it before and I mean it. Jeff is God's guitar player!

Luke


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