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Topic History of: a joe meek collection ?
Max. showing the last 5 posts - (Last post first)
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emmapeelfanclub |
Joe Meek was indeed virtually destitute by the time of his death. One of the reasons for this was an ongoing battle about "Telstar". He was sued for plagiarism by a Frenchman in 1963 so all the royalties Meek was to receive ended up getting frozen and so Meek never enjoyed any royalties from what was his biggest hit which of course he had composed which made it even worse.
He had been in arrears with his rent and just before his death was in talks with Sir Joseph Lockwood about joining EMI. Lockwood offered Meek a quarter of a million... a hell of a lot of money, and it would had wiped out all his debts, many of which were caused by the ongoing litigation regarding "Telstar" with lawyers costs etc.
His estate was in such a mess that it was handed over to the Official Receiver shortly after his death so they got all of Meeks' royalties until sometime in the late 70s when the "Telstar" case had been long settled and the debts well paid off.
Had it not been for that Frenchman, I'm certain Meeks' history would had turned out very differently.
As Mart points out though, Meek was in a rather dicey situation being gay at a time when it was illegal and his arrest for importuning in October 1963 is regarded by most as the beginning of the end for Meek, for after that he was constantly being blackmailed... another reason why Meek lost a lot of money. Toss in the psychological pressures that created and one can understand why his behaviour became ever more erratic and paranoid.
He also spent daft amounts of money on The Tornados and Heinz... and none of that was ever recouped either, so its easy to see why and how Meek ended up in the financial mess that he did. |
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andrew |
I say they squndered alot of it and paid royalties to other groups.
I'm sure JK might have some theriorys I cant belive they died pennyless.
But if they didnt leave a will then the government takes it. |
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Mart |
The thing I sympathise with Joe Meek most about, is the same as the situation that Brian Epstein had and it is very relevent to today too.
The music was out there, being listened to,being bought(?remember that?) but where was the money?
How strange we have gone full circle in 40 years. |
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andrew |
Thats one of the very few facts that people overlook or do not know about.
Joe Meek was a very big Buddy Holly fan and a very cool and strange concidence if Meek didnt have argue that day there will be many more British hits.
I just wish that people remember more of the recordings rather then Meek himself. But be fair he did find and record them and I dont think anyone else would. |
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In The Know |
What no one seems to have mentioned yet is that the killing / suicide happened on the anniversary of Buddy Holly's death. |
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