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HISTORY
claims to fame |
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RETURN TO HISTORY PAGE
| ENGLAND'S
FIRST INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL |
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Our
claim to be the first English independent label rests on the definition
of 'independent'. Holyground in the 60's and 70's had no ties
with any organisation whatsoever. We pressed our own LPs, distributed
them ourselves, and even sold the majority directly to our customers.
No-one else released our music. From ideas to music, pressing
to record player it was only us! As we were far from good at business
this meant we didn't sell many records, but it does explain why
they became so valuable and collected. Only small numbers were
made, and releatovely few escaped into the wide world.
We
even tried some promotion. Dave and I went to London, where the
discs are made with gold, and met DJ Pete Drummond. For the life
of him he could not understand why we chose to do it this way!
We were supposed to meet John Peel, but he got his dates mixed
up - we did speak to him though. John understood.
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| NUMBER
ONE IN ITALY! |
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In
1989, The Italian Rock Magazine, Rockerilla, published
a chart for the whole year showing the choice of all their readers
and staff. Holyground had the number one re-issue that year :
Astral Navigations. We also chalked
up a number five place in the originals section with Gygafo's
Legend Of The Kingfisher. This was
recorded in 1973, but not issued publically till 1989.
There were
rumours around this time that the album (vinyl LP) had been bootlegged
in Italy - maybe this explains its wide acceptance? We'd love
to know if it was bootlegged, and be even more pleased to get
a copy. |
| HOLYGROUND'S
LOGO APPEARS IN THE INTERNATIONAL TIMES |
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Opening
our favourite national Underground newspaper on we were surprised
and flattered to see the letters page adorned with our logo, lovingly
stolen from Astral Navigation's cover!
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| BILL
NELSON |
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Bill
Nelson made his recording debut at Holyground. He first recorded
with Global Village in September 1968, making an EP from which
Mike had 5 acetates cut. These tracks start our compilation of
all Bill's early work, the Electrotype
CD. His first actual release was on our A
- Austr LP recorded on 19th December, 1968, and released in
1971. Bill played a small part - an Hawaiian guitar on the short
track Hawaiian War Chant. He also played some acoustic
guitar on the album, but memories are hazy. He could have played
on the hippy anthem It's Alright, or on What Did You
Go?. Anyone's guess really!
Bill
also turned up at the photoshoot for the album, famously holding
his guitar aloft in one picture. None of the photos with him in
made it to the album though!
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