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!
I can now add "Waterfront" as one of the bands who recorded here! Chris Duffy of the band has been in touch: "I have some fantastic memories of spending a few weeks in Chipping Norton way back in 1987 when I recorded an album at Chipping Norton Studios as one half of the pop band, Waterfront. The studio was excellent, the town picturesque and the local people very friendly. The bonus was one of the songs we recorded there went on to be a US Top Ten hit. We recorded in many top-end studios around the world after that - including New York and Los Angeles, but they never quite matched up to the time we spent in Chippy. I'm definitely going to make a pilgrimage back there one day soon." Well let us know if you do Chris!
The band's biggest hit was "Cry" so I guess that's the track Chris is referring to! You can find more about Waterfront at their MySpace page and if you're a fan you can download their brand new album Ghosts of the Good from iTunes or here, if you prefer the CD.
