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Did
you ever do a session at IBC?
Did you Work there?
or have a story about 35 Portland Place.
Let us know and we will print it BC
This is a memory
of my old boss Mike Claydon from an old friend of his, Terry Ditcham.
Mike Claydon like all outstanding engineers, musicians and singers had that gift. Mike would say
that if the ear was not there neither was a result, he could not play an instrument himself although
he always maintained that his Console was his instrument and could he create a result on that?…
Oh yes! "CONCRETE AND CLAY" " MASSACHUSETTS" and a song that was just meant to be a
warm up for Rolf Harris "TWO LITTLE BOYS" (put down in one!) plus many more.
The 60's and early 70's at IBC were magic times for Mike, the excitement of working with artists that
in most cases were to become legends was obvious in any conversation with him, I can remember when a new multi-track bit of kit arrived, from the USA I think, it was large and windows and railings needed to be removed to get it in, some very strange looks were coming from the adjacent Chinese Embassy who probably thought it was some new spy listening gear being installed.
He was very proud of this industry lead that IBC had taken in purchasing that gear and for quite
some time the studio was rated as the best place to record in the UK this was confirmed by an increasing client base, it is times like this that I wished I had pushed Mike harder to do his
"memoirs" that would have made great reading. Mike forged many friendships with those that
he "engineered" he was Mr discretion and never commented to the outside world about his clients
and I know that the press would have enjoyed some of the stories that he was privy too, his loyalty
to those using IBC would put to shame the "kiss and tell" scenarios of today. One of the strongest friendships was to be the Gibb boys, Mike's skill and ability to mix in those strings created a respect from the Boys that formed the basis of a lasting friendship that was to stand the test of time. When
the Bee Gee's went to the USA Mike was the man they wanted with them, his decision not to join them because of family commitments in the UK was one of his biggest regrets. He had his share of family tragedy and eventually retired to Tenerife, a retirement that was interrupted briefly when he was pressed to do a recording job in December 1999 with a mystery group,Mike's curiosity got the better of him and he agreed, he turned up at the studio and the mystery group was the Bee Gee's...
it had to be didn't it! …. Not only the boys but also the wives and mum as well, a real reunion.a
great day for Mike.When we got together in the later years it was very apparent that his musical
ear was as good as ever and his constructive criticism of a song or piece of music was still to be respected…especially when I put a few chords together I think it used to offend that ear! He would often be found listening to his classical collection with an abundance of strings that he loved so much…with a glass of wine in his hand of course!
Sadly Mike died in September 2001 whilst undergoing minor surgery, just like his very good friend Maurice Gibb. I recently visited Portland Place and peered down into the basement and I was sure
that I heard the session guys jamming…. perhaps it was just a wish. Michael George Claydon never sought accolade but whether he would have liked the recognition or not he was an important part
of music creation in a magical era and therefore he has a well deserved place in it's history.
Terry Ditcham…. Mike's friend of old.
Nice one Terry and all those that knew Mike will agree that not only was he a nice human being but he was also
a top class engineer. Got me into IBC,Top Man!
Mike Claydon like all outstanding engineers, musicians and singers had that gift. Mike would say
that if the ear was not there neither was a result, he could not play an instrument himself although
he always maintained that his Console was his instrument and could he create a result on that?…
Oh yes! "CONCRETE AND CLAY" " MASSACHUSETTS" and a song that was just meant to be a
warm up for Rolf Harris "TWO LITTLE BOYS" (put down in one!) plus many more.
The 60's and early 70's at IBC were magic times for Mike, the excitement of working with artists that
in most cases were to become legends was obvious in any conversation with him, I can remember when a new multi-track bit of kit arrived, from the USA I think, it was large and windows and railings needed to be removed to get it in, some very strange looks were coming from the adjacent Chinese Embassy who probably thought it was some new spy listening gear being installed.
He was very proud of this industry lead that IBC had taken in purchasing that gear and for quite
some time the studio was rated as the best place to record in the UK this was confirmed by an increasing client base, it is times like this that I wished I had pushed Mike harder to do his
"memoirs" that would have made great reading. Mike forged many friendships with those that
he "engineered" he was Mr discretion and never commented to the outside world about his clients
and I know that the press would have enjoyed some of the stories that he was privy too, his loyalty
to those using IBC would put to shame the "kiss and tell" scenarios of today. One of the strongest friendships was to be the Gibb boys, Mike's skill and ability to mix in those strings created a respect from the Boys that formed the basis of a lasting friendship that was to stand the test of time. When
the Bee Gee's went to the USA Mike was the man they wanted with them, his decision not to join them because of family commitments in the UK was one of his biggest regrets. He had his share of family tragedy and eventually retired to Tenerife, a retirement that was interrupted briefly when he was pressed to do a recording job in December 1999 with a mystery group,Mike's curiosity got the better of him and he agreed, he turned up at the studio and the mystery group was the Bee Gee's...
it had to be didn't it! …. Not only the boys but also the wives and mum as well, a real reunion.a
great day for Mike.When we got together in the later years it was very apparent that his musical
ear was as good as ever and his constructive criticism of a song or piece of music was still to be respected…especially when I put a few chords together I think it used to offend that ear! He would often be found listening to his classical collection with an abundance of strings that he loved so much…with a glass of wine in his hand of course!
Sadly Mike died in September 2001 whilst undergoing minor surgery, just like his very good friend Maurice Gibb. I recently visited Portland Place and peered down into the basement and I was sure
that I heard the session guys jamming…. perhaps it was just a wish. Michael George Claydon never sought accolade but whether he would have liked the recognition or not he was an important part
of music creation in a magical era and therefore he has a well deserved place in it's history.
Terry Ditcham…. Mike's friend of old.
Nice one Terry and all those that knew Mike will agree that not only was he a nice human being but he was also
a top class engineer. Got me into IBC,Top Man!