Telstar

by Nick Moran, James Hicks

Set in the backdrop of early 60's London, Telstar is the story of the World's first Independent record producer, Joe Meek. A maverick genius who enjoyed phenomenal early success with 'Telstar', the biggest selling record of its time, before bad luck, depression, heart break and paranoia forced him to murder and suicide.
A gay, amphetamine addicted, talented but deeply troubled soul who dabbled in the occult, Meek is already an iconic figure in the world of British pop, whose messy end had a bizarre inevitability.
Far from being a maudlin tale, this stranger than fiction true story is a brilliantly sharp and beautifully observed satirical comedy.
Telstar opened at the New Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End in June 2005, with a blistering central performance from Con O'Neill as Joe Meek.

104 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2005

Reviews

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the mediums, besides the music, of course, a theatrical play would be best to tell the narrative of Joe Meek. For one, I can't picture him being outside of his apartment/flat/studio. I think at least 90% of the photos I have seen of Meek's in the studio working or posing in front of his recording equipment, which also has tons of reel-to-reel tapes thrown on the floor. In a manner, he reminds me of looking at photos of the painter Francis Bacon in his tiny and messy studio. Meek and Bacon share a sexual orientation as well as a love for being in their studios making art/commerce. Their work is enormous and went beyond their studios. Still, in an everyday life situation, both were chained to their work and studio.

Nick Moran with James Hicks (that's the billing on the book cover) is a very accurate and crystal clear series of Meek snapshots at work. Dealing with the issues of rent with his understanding landlady, who he eventually murders in the act of insanity, as well as with his love/artist Heinz, and the various and somewhat dedicated musicians who worked with Joe. In a way, the Meek narrative works itself as a play. Joe Meek being in the studio was a total theater experience. It seems he was always on the brink of complete disaster, but on the other hand, he was a genius. Not the greatest songwriter, but truly a master of sound and how it conveys emotions and sexuality to the listener. Although I suspect he wasn't aware of France's Musique-Concrete composers, he did use similar techniques of using noise. Such as throwing pebbles into a toilet. Also capturing the pounding foot-stomping from his staircase for the amazing "Have I The Right" by The Honeycombs.

This is a somber narration, but putting together such a fascinating group of people in the Meek studio, therefore his world, is an excellent read. The chances for me to see this play on stage are probably non-existent; still, I get the show after reading the play.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

I reserved this from the library, so I hadn't seen the book before. This is a play about the life of Joe Meek! On the plus side, its brief and theres anecdotes about specific artists and sessions. On the minus side, its primarily about the sordid details of this later years. Not sure which parts are true.
Still in search of a decent biog of the man.