Doing some research into the history of the recording studios in Chipping Norton I managed to track down Richard Vernon. In a recent e-mail he wrote:

“Setting up the recording studios with my brother Mike and Dave Grinsted way back in 1971 to its closure in October 1999 was just a fantastic time for me and I hope everyone else who worked or recorded there - it was wonderful to see new bands come to us full of enthusiasm and optimism, many went on to be world famous and if we helped in some small way then that is just terrific.”

The studios (in New Street – now houses) hosted some great bands and  the following unforgettable tracks were recorded there: Nothing Ever Happens (Del Amitri) –  I Should Have Known Better (Jim Diamond) - I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight (Cutting Crew) – Can You Dig it? (Mock Turtles) – We Close Our Eyes (Go West) Bye, Bye Baby (The Bay City Rollers) – Perfect (Fairground Attraction) ) – I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles (The Proclaimers) and Creep (Radiohead.)

Acts such as Doctor Feelgood, Duran Duran, Level 42, XTC, The Bay City Rollers, Status Quo, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Beverley Craven, Fairport Convention, The Olympic Runners, Mark Owen (the list goes on and on) all stayed and recorded tracks and albums right here in Chipping Norton. I think the Town should be proud of that!