Hello Andrew, Martin from Streetly here. Thanks for the excellent video featuring our fab friend, Erich The Collector! Thanks also for mentioning us - it's much appreciated. If you ever want a chat, ask Erich to forward your number. My best. M
Did you know our music legend Mike Pinder? I read that the early Mellotrons could be temperamental machines but Mike always knew how to repair and service them, as well as play them like a concert pianist. He was an original founding member of the Moody Blues in 1964.
@TheDejael Yes, we knew Mike. He was a lovely fella, and because we are all from Birmingham, we got on really well. He visited our workshop in 2009 with Tara.
I worked at IBC Studios in Portland Place in the 70's - the old studio B was a base of Mellotronics - I did a few sessions (amongst general music sessions for records) where we recorded some instruments that later were made in to Mellotron tapes. I used to see Brian at work making tapes and servicing some of the Mellotrons. I got in free to see Genesis at Wembley as I had chatted to their roadie who was getting Tony Banks Mellotron looked at. So I used to enjoy going in Studio A in downtime and playing the Mellotron - always loved them.
Another great Mellotron player of the Progressive Rock era was Stuart J. "Woolly" Wolstenholme of Barclay James Harvest. I was a big fan of BJH and bought all their records, aa well as The Moody Blues.
Mellotron always had a unique sound that was key to a lot of prog in the early 70s. Many of my favourite groups used it. Thanks for showing the collection.
I heard my first Mellotron 'live' in 1969 played by Ian McDonald with King Crimson when they opened for The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, London. I saw Crimson several times subsequently...most memorably at the Weeley Festival when they played late into the night, finishing with The Devil's Triangle (a reworking of Mars from Holst's The Planets...I recall that they used two Mellotrons on that occasion. I think the most memorable Mellotron track that Crimson recorded was a live one called 'Trio' which used the flute stop, sounding a bit like Strawberry Fields. I think this was taken live in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
I assume that one of those Mellotrons was the one bought by Genesis and they used it for the first time on Nursery Cryme. BTW, I am the proud owner of a M-400!!!
@@UCS0608 No, Ian Mcdonald played a Mk 2 back in 1969 on the first Crimson Lp, In the Court of the Crimson King, and live. I think it was this instrument that was lost in the fire at the Kinetic Playground club. Banks bought the Genesis Mellotron from Fripp in 1971....but used a Mk 2 on Watcher of the Skies - which seems a bit strange if he had an M400. He used the M400 on Nursery Cryme and subsequently on live gigs.....I saw them several times about this time and remember that he played the white M400. So distinctive is the Mk2 sound that Streetly put a 'Watcher Mix' tab on the M4000.
To have working models of this iconic piece of music history is remarkable. Thank you, Andrew, and Erich, to see and hear this amazing collection. What a treat!.
Watching this was so much fun! The Mellotron changed my life. Growing up, I’d listen to my mom’s Moody Blues records, captivated by those dreamy, haunting sounds and wondering what made them. Years later, a friend introduced me to King Crimson’s In The Court of the Crimson King, and there it was again, swirling layers of Mellotrons weaving through the music. I dug deeper into the album insert and found it. There it was in black and white: Ian McDonald on the Mellotron. Since then, I’ve been hooked, convinced that even today, no instrument matches the Mellotron for hauntingly beautiful sounds.
One of the mellotroniest bands I’ve ever heard is Spring, but King Crimson and Moody Blues are definitively bands that define the sound of the mellotrone. Great video - will share it!
Speaking of The Moody Blues, that would be a terrific idea for a segment. In the late 1960s and 70s, their run of albums are among the most acclaimed, well produced and stirring albums that actually occasionally had massive hit Singles a group that although the lead singer definitely had pop star looks, actually featured a young man with a receding hairlineand an occasional comb over, decidedly not rock ‘n’ roll. The most unusual pop rock group of all time in a way.
@@michaelrochester48 Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues was the undisputed king of the Mellotron. He used it more than any other artist of the 60’s and 70’s
Mike Pinder is the one who turned the Beatles on to the Mellotron. He was working for Streetly before the Moody Blues became big. He told the Beatles they had to get one. According to him, they all bought one including Ringo.
@@paulbrookes413 Moody Blues albums are dripping with mellotron buddy, try listening to them. Even Seventh Sojourn, mainly featuring a chamberlain, has mellotron. Who used more mellotron than the Moodies' Core 7 over a 5 year period? Do tell..........?
Andrew you provide the most consistently interesting programs on UA-cam. This one on the mellotron was incredible. As a keyboard player I found this one particularly relevant and entertaining. Great job!!!
The most comprehensive video I ever watched about Mellotrons. Thanks for the Masterclass ! And congrats to Erich for the so well kept collection of rarities
I first saw and played the Metatron at the Sherman Clay piano and organs store in Sacramento California on Watt Avenue, next-door to Tower records number two in 1966 when I was there purchasing my Hammond, B3 and Leslie speaker. But, I remember hearing something like it, which I now suspect was the Chamberlain, at an outdoor aquacade, swimming show in St. Paul Minnesota, in 1957. I say I suspect it was a Chamberlain because what else could’ve been? I was only about 13 at the time and hadn’t even started to think about my lifelong career as a keyboard player. But, I was fascinated by whoever was creating the music and doing all the sound effects. It was amazing. This was a great video, thank you!
This episode is absolute Gold!! I have a warm heart for the Chamberlin/Mellotron. Would love to own a mechanical version but was very fortunate about four years ago to purchase a digital mellotron by Mellotron called the Micro.
@@rikk1546 The Chamberlin was developed by Harry Chamberlin in the early 1950's in California. The Mellotron was basically adapted from his design. While not at first approved by Harry (it was not his intention to introduce it to the Brits, but his design somehow leaked out over there, contrary to his knowledge), he eventually agreed that Mellotrons would only be manufactured in England, and Chamberlins exclusively in the U.S. That's why Mellotrons are so rare in the U.S.
@@johnredfield6668 The Chamberlin's schematics did not "somehow leak" over to England. They were stolen by one of Chamberlin's partners, and taken by that person to the UK. This is well known.
Edgar Faroese used them too. One of his M400s was for sale on eBay. I saw Woolly Wolstenholme from Barclay James Harvest play his, up close. He had a great technique for keeping the chords going by dropping notes and bringing them back in.
All members of Tangerine Dream used M400’s live and in the studio. They also had self recorded tape frames. Additionally Edgar Froese had two Mark Vs with about 50 tape frames. He even recorded his monophonic synths so he could have polyphonic presets
I was surprised to find so much about the Mellotron on You Tube. When I first started work in 1963 (I think!) I worked for a subcontractor who made parts of the device. I cannot recall much detail but remember a "switching unit" which was mounted in a folded aluminium chassis. This was "Audio Systems" in Coventry who went bankrupt after a year or so, the workshop being an original weavers loft. I then worked for a radio and TV repair shop who took over the building, they went bankrupt too (not my fault, pure coincidence!) If there is anyone else who remembers these companies I would love to get in touch. I did not ever see a complete unit, but do remember Eric Robinson, the band leader involved with the company in some way visiting once. I am impressed that so much detail remains readily available after all this time.
Awesome video!! I was always fascinated by melotrons hearing them in great songs as a kid! Mind-blowing moment: realizing the opening to Bungalow Bill was a melotron!??!
Mike Pinder, (RIP) was an excellent keyboardist, and expert Mellotron player from 1963 to 1967 when he quit his day job with Streetly Electronics in Birmingham, England for his full-time gig with The Moody Blues until he left the band in 1978.
Allora due cose riguardanti il Mellotron... innanzitutto il suo inventore è statunitense, l' ingegnere elettronico HARRY CHAMBERLIN che lo inventò nel 1946 ed è considerato il primo campionatore musicale della storia. LUI lo chiamò CHAMBERLIN organ e mise sù un azienda che costruiva vari modelli e che erano soprattutto studiati per uso casalingo per divertirsi e stupire gli amici con quelle sonorità che davano l' idea di avere un orchestra in casa!!!!!!!!! Poi successe che alcuni emissari rappresentanti della CHAMBERLIN andarono in INGHILTERRA all' inizio degli anni 60...e portarono con sé credo senza il consenso del sign CHAMBERLIN alcuni progetti disegni per costruire altri modelli di strumento e quindi apportando alcune modifiche tecniche allo strumento tipo maggiore pressione delle testine sui nastri campionati e qualcos'altro.... così modificato lo ribattezzarono... MELLOTRON. I primi artisti musicali che lo utilizzarono su un album furono LA GRAHAM BOND ORGANIZATION nel loro secondo album del 1965 o 66 circa il titolo però ora mi sfugge ok.... . Gli artisti musicali che più lo hanno utilizzato sono stati es MOODY BLUES, fra i primi anche i BEATLES, ZOMBIES nell' album ODESSEY AND ORACLE credo 67/68 e poi si aprì l' epopea del cosiddetto Progressive Rock con artisti tipo KING CRIMSON,YES, GENESIS,GENTLE GIANT, STRAWBS, VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR etc etc... ché TUTTI questi che ho citato,chi più chi meno il MELLOTRON lo hanno UTILIZZATO!!!!!!! Anche da NOI in ITALIA da artisti musicali come PFM, ORME, DELIRIUM, BALLETTO DI BRONZO, OSANNA, QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA, MUSEO ROSENBACH etc etc!!!!!!! Davvero uno strumento musicale molto affascinante!!!!!!! Oltre alle modalità ARCHI es sonorità tipo VIOLINI,VIOLONCELLI, VIOLE poi FIATI es sonorità tipo FLAUTI, SASSOFONI,OBOE e poi ancora varie sonorità percussive tipo marimba Xilofono, vibrafono poi ancora vari strani effetti sonori tipo voci maschili femminili, bambini,bambine poi effetti tipo vento, vari versi di animali strani rumori etc etc!!!!!!!!!! Insomma è uno strumento affascinante non semplice da utilizzare suonare e anche fino a qualche anno fa... Non semplice nemmeno da trasportare!!!!!!! Potevano anche danneggiarsi i nastri. Poi hanno ideato varie modifiche tecniche su modelli più recenti che permettono più sicurezza per trasportarlo!!!!!!!!! Insomma vari modelli di mellotron sono stati ideati e costruiti es il mark 2 a due tastiere, l' M 400 ad una sola tastiera, il NOVATRON simile all' M 400 ma più facilmente trasportabile, poi il BIROTRON che era un mellotron con strutture di sintetizzatore che quindi le sue sonorità risultavano un po' fra il mellotron e il synt.E più recentemente sono stati ideati e costruiti modelli di mellotron..digitali che suonano molto bene come i mellotron precedenti ma anche MOLTO più sicuri per trasportarli .
One thing that not many fans know is that the Moody Blues met The Beatles and had dinner with them in London in September-October 1966 right after the Moodies had reorganized with John and Justin in the band. As a result of that meeting, Mike Pinder and John Lennon became friends, and John was fascinated by the sounds made by the Mellotron, so Mike actually sold an M400 Mellotron to him in November 1966, and John had it delivered to Abbey Road Studios. John Lennon then began experimenting with the 'tron and composed his song "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the Mellotron in December 1966, and I believe it was Paul McCartney who played it on the final studio recording in early 1967. Those Mellotron flute sounds on that song are legendary now. If anyone has further details or corrections on this story, I would be much obliged to read further comments.
Another aside on this story is that the band Barclay James Harvest lead singer John Lees wrote and performed a beautiful song tribute to John Lennon entitled "John Lennon's Guitar" in 1990 on their excellent album "Welcome To The Show" on Polydor, and John Lees asked Woolly Wolstenholme to create a John Lennon and Beatles feel for the song, which Woolly did beautifully by recreating the Mellotron flute sounds on the song from "Strawberry Fields Forever". The song is a lovely tribute to John Lennon, whom the band admired along with the other three Beatles. Its lyrical content is about when BJH were recording their second studio album in the fall of 1970, at Abbey Road Studios, and were recording their album "Once Again" with Pink Floyd's and Beatles producer Norman Smith, and John Lees picked up a guitar in the very same studio as The Beatles had recorded in during the 1960s, and remarked that it was John Lennon's personal guitar he had left there for recording. John Lees then decided to play it on their album so you can actually hear this guitar on that BJH album.
@northcoastnoise Tangerine Dream embraced the Mellotron and I think made it their own on Phaedra and the breathtaking Rubycon. I always associate the flute with Dream.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic Come to think of it, I used to confuse TD's Rubycon with Froese's Epsilon and I may have been thinking of both those albums. It's that flute sound that's the icing on the cake for me. I recall Froese saying he got it by putting a recording of a train whistle in the Mellotron. At least that was the case for Epsilon.
@northcoastnoise the release and decay of the flute seemed much longer so a whistle added makes sense, Dream had their own tapes made up I believe at some point. On Encore...especially side 4 Desert Dream showcases the Tron very well. Huge amounts of reverb helped.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic TD's analogue days were my favourite. They were a jam band out of neccesity. Pre-digital synths were so easily damaged they had to discover during sound checks what the limitations of the day's concert would be. I thought of TD as the Grateful Dead of Berlin. Froese's writings about the Berlin scene when LSD was legal remind me of the San Francisco scene the Dead was rooted in. Anyway, the Mellotron days were soon over because they were such a bother on tour. That bother forced a creativity that's been lost thanks to MIDI.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic By the way, the beginning of Epsilon is the sound of a model train, recorded from under the plywood it was running on. I wasn't surprised when Froese said so, because I'd sat under my model trains as a kid and that sound was music to my ears. I don't know if he put it in a Mellotron, but Mellotrons were a subject of the interview with Edgar I read in Keyboard Magazine all those years ago.
Hi! Excellent video here, well documented and interesting! I am a Mellotron fan for more than 25 years and owner of M400 and M4000d from Montreal, Canada. This sir collection is incredible and very well preserved. Even the rare models like T-550 and 4 tracks. It's the first time seeing those in action. Another thing about Beatles and Mellotron that was not cited. It's George Harisson only know recorded Mellotron, as I know and it's the soundtrack of the Wonderwall movie from 1968 with Jane Birkin. Apart from the Indian type music, all the rest is mainly his Mark II, left-handed rhythms included. And almost 30 years, lads from Manchester released a song called by the same moniker and reinstall those machines in their full glory. All in all! I loved your other videos and joined your channel with pleasure! Good continuation! 😎
I absolutely agree. 😃Though of course the Mellotron was meant to be a substitute for strings (and much more). But it's like the Fender Rhodes, the Wurlitzer and the Yamaha CP70/80, they were meant to replace a piano on stage, but became iconic instruments in their own right.
Fascinating Andrew! I knew the basics of the Mellotron, but this video was extra enlightening. As an audiophile as well as music lover, I was never a great fan of the Mellotron sound per se - not as "clean" as acoustic instruments, because of their tape compression, wow & flutter, fuzziness, etc. BUT they made their unique signature sounds on so much of the great music of that era that's burned into our aural memories. And as some others have also noted, I will be forever grateful to have finally learned that many familiar song sounds came from Mellotron tapes, ESPECIALLY the fuzzy "flamenco" guitar intro to Bungalow Bill! I always thought that it sounded like it had been taken from a cassette recording! Thanks very much!
Two weeks ago, I attended a show by Genesis tribute act "The Musical Box". They use a vintage analogue Mellotron (on wheels no less). I'm 64, and was resigned that I'd never hear a real 'tron. What a thrill for the show to begin with "Watcher of the Skies", and for the evening's music to be entirely 1970-1973 Genesis. The band has been doing this for over 30 years, so they really have it down! If you've ever doubted the validity of tribute acts, TMB is one nobody should miss.
@rikk1546 TMB does a fantastic job, and hearing Mellotrons and Taurus bass pedals at concert level volumes is well worth experiencing. Look up their drummer, Greg Bendian. He is also a musicologist and has done many interesting interviews of musicians from that time.
@@dave_manley TMB's Wikipedia page lists their main drummer as Marc Laflamme, as "Phil Collins". It appears that Gregg Bendian briefly joined as a second drummer for a tour replicating the 1976 band. Bendian thus played "Bill Bruford". Wonderful stuff!
As soon as I heard that little part of "And You and I" by YES @2:19 I just had to go and listen to the song! The mellotron is wonderful instrument and something digital pianos can't quite replicate.
Remarkable. My (late) big brother and I first heard of the instrument, back around 1975. Later on, we made friends with a keyboard player who knew all about them (a Bowie fan). You can't help but be truly amazed at these. Even if you're not a keyboardist.
Another great video, and it's awesome to see these Mellotrons being played! I'd always heard that Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues worked for Streetly and had intimate knowledge of each product, often repairing the band's instrument on stage.
The Mellotron is deeply embedded in my life’s journey as a Prog fan. Days Of Future Passed, in The Wake of Poseidon, Nursery Cryme all live in my most private core. I’m 71, and by the time I graduated high school in 1971, Prog was rising and and became my life’s soundtrack. There are many thoughts and memories-and feelings I can’t access until I hear certain chords played on a Mellotron, reminding me of my youth.
@@patpagano Amen, youngster ! It’s funny how everyone can agree on and discuss a Gilmore solo like ‘Comfortably Numb’, but we can still find personal moments with mellotron that hit just as hard e,g, The opening chords of ‘In the Wake of Poseidon’.
@@charlesbritzman501 I’m reading “listening to the future” by Bill Martin right now, it’s a fun academic look at Prog. And I spent over an hour at Planet Mellotron yesterday. on the Wake of Poseidon is a brilliant masterpiece
I own a Mellotron FX Console which was purchased by Czech Television in the 1960s. According to available information, only 60 units were produced. I bought it about 16 years ago and used it on my band Red Baron Band albums, specifically Reflections (2010) and Last Chance (2023). It's the same model in grey as Paul McCartney's. You can see mine on UA-cam in the Red Baron Band songs Where Sun Goes Down and Invisible Man.
That was a great lesson in Metatron and how they work and their history. And as an aside, I absolutely love the rutles sweatshirt. All you need is cash.
The mellotron is such an iconic keyboard instrument from the sixties. I‘ve been following its history for many years now. I love its eerie otherworldly sound so much. Here in Germany it was used by electronic bands like Tangerine Dream.
The Mellotron was also used by XTC, on The Big Express & as The Dukes of Stratosphear on 25 O'Clock & Psonic Psunspot. Reportedly, Dave Gregory removed his Mellotron tapes & took them to the US when XTC recorded Skylarking with Todd Rundgren. Todd had a Chamberlain & the tapes were compatible (?).
Wonderful! Another fab video Andrew, and special thanks to Erich! The FX model, which was made for the BBC, and which carries sound effects which were used on the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film, well that's no surprise at all. The BBC had a huge sound effects library which was painstakingly compiled by BBC staff over many years. The BBC allowed free use of these recordings for absolutely anyone, you could actually buy LPs of BBC sound effects which were used free of copyright, anywhere from local amateur dramatics groups in village halls, right up to feature films. Many's the time I'd be in the cinema and recognise sound effects of BBC origin. In your video here, the 2nd Mellotron key plays one particular comedy effect enchantingly entitled "whizz-clong", from memory! I worked at the BBC for nearly 40 years and I came across such a Mellotron in a "Sypher" studio, the BBC's sound dubbing suite at Television Centre in London. Who knows, maybe it was actually this unit? Although I suspect the BBC had a few of them. But to be honest, of far more interest to me is the way Rick Wakeman used the Mellotron for so many of his recordings, with Yes on Fragile, Close to the Edge etc, and on his solo works such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Wakeman was also involved in the development of the Birotron which came a little later, which I believe used continuous tape loops which could play notes of endless length. It was very soon superceded by samplers and synthesisers though. But of course as you rightly point out, the analogue charm and sound of these units is incomparable to any digital "copy".
I originate from Sutton Coldfield and got into listening to electronic music in 1981 with OMD's Architecture & Morality album. I have lost count on the number of times that I travelled passed 338, Aldridge Road, Streetly, but didn't know this iconic instrument at the time.
That swirling, eerie, otherworldliness from those last few Brian Jones-era Stones' tracks through to some pre-Spiders Bowie and John Paul Jones in Zeppelin's use, to name a few of my personal fave examples, just wouldn't have the same ambience with a trad string orch section. Brilliant overview.
Fascinating simply fascinating. I think this is one of your best episodes. As an American this is a part of the musical landscape. You hear about and know nothing about it. Thank Andrew, for an education I so badly needed.
Great video.. thank you for taking us inside the amazing world of Melotron. I had no idea how it worked. So much of the greatest music made utilised this incredible machine. Those were the best years for music creativity.
It’s looks like the museum of ancient history now! It’s amazing how far we’ve come. I’m jealous of young people who’ll have access to mind blowing technology 20 years from now!
What a remarkable collection. Thanks to you both for sharing the history of this unique and beautiful instrument. Eric’s entire collection at the beginning of the video was amazing. He’s definitely in a class all his own. You could probably do a dozen videos just of his collection. Just mind boggling, thanks Andrew for sharing this with us.
Fantastic video, Andrew! Really sincerely enjoyed this. As a longtime mellotron fan, this ranks as truly one of the best ‘explorations’ into the device, its various iterations and the gorgeous sounds it has made famous. Many thanks from a fan in the Arizona desert:)
Ok playing a mellotron has been added to my bucket list. Completely unrelated but I'll be watching Sir Paul this Tuesday in Costa Rica 💜 I'm beyond excited
Mellotron is a very cool sounding instrument and really brings out the song! Strawberry fields forever really works well a sound for the ages! Great video Andrew for bringing out all the history on the Mellotron and your friend giving us some neat information! He has a great collection!Enjoyed your video Andrew!
I don't know if it counts but I recently bought a mini mellotron which is digital but stores digitally all the original tapes. What I love about it apart from it looks as gorgeous as an original, is that it has midi, no need to take yonks changing tapes & finding storage space for them, libraries are on SD cards & you don't need a crane to lift a machine that resembled my old white chest freezer with a keyboard on top haha! I admit though I'm still fascinated by old tech like this. For example if I had the room I'd love to own an ancient IBM computer which used reels & lots of motors.
Thanks for another great video Andrew. It was amazing to see and hear the history of the fantastic Mellotron and examples of how it was used in some of our favourite music over the decades that made such an impression on us. Long live the Mellotron!🎉
An amazing instrument! Over the years I've read about how difficult/temperamental they could be when artists would take them on the road; evidently they would break down often. With all those delicate moving parts, I now understand why. The only three bands I witnessed using them live were King Crimson, the Moody Blues, and Genesis, and it's remarkable how they all used the instrument very differently in the studio. I also had no idea of all the sound effects/gimickry uses those machines could possess. Yet another hyper-informative video, Andrew. Many Thanks!!
Great video!!! I always enjoy your videos but I especially enjoyed this one! I’m not a musician but the mellotron always fascinated me. Thank you for this video!
This is a wonderful video! Congrats to Erich for his collection of not only Mellotrons, but other great gear. A suitable audio companion for this vid is "The Mellotron Album - Rime Of The Ancient Sampler," a 1993 CD compilation featuring the unique contributions of many famous artists.
Maybe more of a mention of the Chamberlin (which was invented in the early 50s), on which the original Mark I was, almost a direct "rip-off." In fact, I believe Mellotron was ordered to pay Chamberlin restitution for it.
The Chamberlin's schematics were stolen by a disgruntled partner, and flown to the UK where they were used to create the first Mellotron. A story of industrial skullduggery worthy of its own documentary, no?
Great video, thanks! For those who are first introduced to this instrument, I'd like to add that it was a remarkable instrument but also very heavy and fragile at the same time. It could be used for many applications, it was primarely a "pocket" orchestra for households and theatre. Its main charming quirk is of course the eerie, ghostly quality of the recorded sounds. It was sensible to changes in electric tension and humidity, altering the response and tuning of each component. So, when pop rock groups started incorporating in live performances they had to learn to play it or adjust to it accordingly on the spot. A whimsical instrument, though often it was not its fault but it was the hardship of touring. Tony Banks of Genesis apparently said he had to develop a specific way of playing it, with certain tapes or intervals having the chance of working more than others and most of the time. Some groups (maybe Yes or King Crimson?) who could afford to have them had three: one on the scene, one as backup and the other with the repairman... Digital recreations do exist of course, and though they can recreate the spectral quality of the sound they can't do the same with its unpredictable nature (for the better or for the worse). Hence the "need" of restoring old models and even produce some new ones.
Recently purchased a micro & mini Mellotron, can’t describe how amazing they both sound. Although a digital version, they both behave just like huge white monster I used to help carry into venues.
The Moody Blues were mentioned a week or two ago, and it's nice to know that a few videos will pop up involving their story, and no doubt with the Mellotron. As someone has already pointed out, Mike Pinder was pretty much the king of the instrument, and actually did some development work on it, iirc. It was also him that mentioned that the early Mellotrons were a difficult beast to take on tour, 1. because they were so heavy, and 2. because they were so affected by the humidity and heat levels at venues. Apparently they could go a bit off pitch in the middle of a set, which presented Mike with a few problems. All good memories for us though.
Played by Rick Wakeman, who also contributed to a number of other Bowie tracks. At one point Rick had to decide whether to join Spiders From Mars, or Yes.
Best spent 22 minutes on UA-cam in a long time... how I enjoyed this video , so thank you .... the Mellotron will for me always be associated with Woolly Wolstenholme ( rip ) from Barclay James Harvest.... and so happy that only after one day on the net, so many people react to this video..
Glad you enjoyed it! Woolly Wolstenholme's widow donated his M300 Mellotron to Abbey Road: www.abbeyroad.com/news/the-mellotron-m300-returns-to-abbey-road-studios-2643
For years ago (about 2010) i visited a home studio for a "simple music deal". The owner had a big collection of string ensembles and also the mellotron M400. I could play some notes on the mellotron. Woow that was amazing!! He also demonstrates me the changing of the sound-racks. For me it was a great visit!🎹🎹
Hi, I can't really contribute much here, except that I saw my first Mellotron in Harrods Music Department, around 1963 I suppose. It was switched on, so I was able to play a few notes. I was immediately blown away by the idea, but I never came across another, and it faded from my attention. The facination always remained, even though I don't think I ever realized how much it featured in 80s music. That video is one of the most interesting I've seen on UA-cam in a long while. Thanks!
Anyone who wears a Rutles jumper is okay in my book! Erich is a really cool bloke! Mahalo to you and Erich for bringing this subject to light. Last week, the word "Mellotron" was merely a meaningless word I'd read in LP liner notes and such. Now...wow! I hadn't a clue what their characteristic sound was, how they worked, nor how many times (nearly all of them, really...) I'd actually listened to one! Yet another reference work, Andrew, and it's a good'un! Aloha!
@@MrJohnBurger-JB Yes, indeed! Erich would be a great person to talk to about musical history. How fortunate that Andrew and Erich met and created this video for us! What an experience!
Awesome video! We love the Mellotron and use a vintage M400 on the albums we record and post on our UA-cam channel. Our motto is; You Can Never Have Too Much Mellotron.
Just this past week, I bought an ebook about the Moody Blues. Mike Pinder actually worked at Streetly at one point and introduced the Mellotron to John Lennon. The tapes have three parallel tracks and a selector knob lets you choose which one. That triples what a Mellotron could play.
Thinking of The Nice and The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack, at the end of one of tracks there is a round of applause that sounds like one of the effects on there
Hello Andrew, Martin from Streetly here. Thanks for the excellent video featuring our fab friend, Erich The Collector! Thanks also for mentioning us - it's much appreciated. If you ever want a chat, ask Erich to forward your number. My best. M
You're most welcome, Martin and thank you. Much appreciated!
Did you and John restore all of these? Such a sweet collection! Can't wait for my FX to come back to life! (This is Eike ;-) )
Did you know our music legend Mike Pinder? I read that the early Mellotrons could be temperamental machines but Mike always knew how to repair and service them, as well as play them like a concert pianist. He was an original founding member of the Moody Blues in 1964.
@TheDejael Yes, we knew Mike. He was a lovely fella, and because we are all from Birmingham, we got on really well. He visited our workshop in 2009 with Tara.
@@EinAstronaut Hello Eike, yes, we restored them all! Mx
I worked at IBC Studios in Portland Place in the 70's - the old studio B was a base of Mellotronics - I did a few sessions (amongst general music sessions for records) where we recorded some instruments that later were made in to Mellotron tapes. I used to see Brian at work making tapes and servicing some of the Mellotrons. I got in free to see Genesis at Wembley as I had chatted to their roadie who was getting Tony Banks Mellotron looked at. So I used to enjoy going in Studio A in downtime and playing the Mellotron - always loved them.
Great memories! Thank you for sharing them!
I love a Mellotron. The instrument will always be associated, in my mind, with the late, great Moody Blues legend, Mike Pinder. R.I.P. ☮❤
Another great Mellotron player of the Progressive Rock era was Stuart J. "Woolly" Wolstenholme of Barclay James Harvest. I was a big fan of BJH and bought all their records, aa well as The Moody Blues.
Check the album "Song of the Marching Children" (1971) by the Dutch band Earth and Fire.
Woolly left the band BJH in the 1990s, and was replaced by Bias Boshell, who also was a replacement for Patrick Moraz by The Moody Blues in 1991.
I think that's Mike Pinder standing behind the Beatles and George Martin (b&w pic) - am I right?
@@tomtrana3449 Thanks I did give it a good listen!
Mellotron always had a unique sound that was key to a lot of prog in the early 70s. Many of my favourite groups used it. Thanks for showing the collection.
Thanks for watching!
I heard my first Mellotron 'live' in 1969 played by Ian McDonald with King Crimson when they opened for The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, London. I saw Crimson several times subsequently...most memorably at the Weeley Festival when they played late into the night, finishing with The Devil's Triangle (a reworking of Mars from Holst's The Planets...I recall that they used two Mellotrons on that occasion.
I think the most memorable Mellotron track that Crimson recorded was a live one called 'Trio' which used the flute stop, sounding a bit like Strawberry Fields. I think this was taken live in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
@@rogerwebb7501 You were at THAT concert! You belong in history by having experienced that in person and being part of the audience Sir!
You lucky, lucky Bs@d.
mynde you, got to see L.Z before Bonham parted. But still, Hyde Park, ‘69, man!
I assume that one of those Mellotrons was the one bought by Genesis and they used it for the first time on Nursery Cryme.
BTW, I am the proud owner of a M-400!!!
@@UCS0608 No, Ian Mcdonald played a Mk 2 back in 1969 on the first Crimson Lp, In the Court of the Crimson King, and live. I think it was this instrument that was lost in the fire at the Kinetic Playground club.
Banks bought the Genesis Mellotron from Fripp in 1971....but used a Mk 2 on Watcher of the Skies - which seems a bit strange if he had an M400. He used the M400 on Nursery Cryme and subsequently on live gigs.....I saw them several times about this time and remember that he played the white M400.
So distinctive is the Mk2 sound that Streetly put a 'Watcher Mix' tab on the M4000.
To have working models of this iconic piece of music history is remarkable. Thank you, Andrew, and Erich, to see and hear this amazing collection. What a treat!.
You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Yes , I've seen a few with the tapes hanging out the back . Like a good beer they didn't travel very well.
The Moody Blues! I love them! Kings of the mellotron.
Watching this was so much fun! The Mellotron changed my life. Growing up, I’d listen to my mom’s Moody Blues records, captivated by those dreamy, haunting sounds and wondering what made them. Years later, a friend introduced me to King Crimson’s In The Court of the Crimson King, and there it was again, swirling layers of Mellotrons weaving through the music. I dug deeper into the album insert and found it. There it was in black and white: Ian McDonald on the Mellotron. Since then, I’ve been hooked, convinced that even today, no instrument matches the Mellotron for hauntingly beautiful sounds.
Wow! Fantastic! Lo❤ve the Mellotron! Especially on Moody Blues and King Crimson music...thanks Andrew!
One of the mellotroniest bands I’ve ever heard is Spring, but King Crimson and Moody Blues are definitively bands that define the sound of the mellotrone.
Great video - will share it!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing it!
Speaking of The Moody Blues, that would be a terrific idea for a segment. In the late 1960s and 70s, their run of albums are among the most acclaimed, well produced and stirring albums that actually occasionally had massive hit Singles a group that although the lead singer definitely had pop star looks, actually featured a young man with a receding hairlineand an occasional comb over, decidedly not rock ‘n’ roll. The most unusual pop rock group of all time in a way.
@@michaelrochester48 Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues was the undisputed king of the Mellotron. He used it more than any other artist of the 60’s and 70’s
The Moodies' Kingpin 😁
@@davidtoups4684I wouldn't say he used it more than anyone in the 70s !
Mike Pinder is the one who turned the Beatles on to the Mellotron. He was working for Streetly before the Moody Blues became big. He told the Beatles they had to get one. According to him, they all bought one including Ringo.
@@paulbrookes413
Moody Blues albums are dripping with mellotron buddy, try listening to them. Even Seventh Sojourn, mainly featuring a chamberlain, has mellotron. Who used more mellotron than the Moodies' Core 7 over a 5 year period? Do tell..........?
Andrew you provide the most consistently interesting programs on UA-cam. This one on the mellotron was incredible. As a keyboard player I found this one particularly relevant and entertaining. Great job!!!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
The most comprehensive video I ever watched about Mellotrons. Thanks for the Masterclass ! And congrats to Erich for the so well kept collection of rarities
Also make sure to check out the Mellodrama documentary from 2008! 😎👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
I first saw and played the Metatron at the Sherman Clay piano and organs store in Sacramento California on Watt Avenue, next-door to Tower records number two in 1966 when I was there purchasing my Hammond, B3 and Leslie speaker. But, I remember hearing something like it, which I now suspect was the Chamberlain, at an outdoor aquacade, swimming show in St. Paul Minnesota, in 1957. I say I suspect it was a Chamberlain because what else could’ve been? I was only about 13 at the time and hadn’t even started to think about my lifelong career as a keyboard player. But, I was fascinated by whoever was creating the music and doing all the sound effects. It was amazing.
This was a great video, thank you!
Great memories! Glad you enjoyed he video!
This episode is absolute Gold!! I have a warm heart for the Chamberlin/Mellotron. Would love to own a mechanical version but was very fortunate about four years ago to purchase a digital mellotron by Mellotron called the Micro.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@Parlogram Just curious - why no mention of the Chamberlin, and its connection to Streetly? It's a significant part of the story, I'd think.
@@rikk1546 The Chamberlin was developed by Harry Chamberlin in the early 1950's in California. The Mellotron was basically adapted from his design. While not at first approved by Harry (it was not his intention to introduce it to the Brits, but his design somehow leaked out over there, contrary to his knowledge), he eventually agreed that Mellotrons would only be manufactured in England, and Chamberlins exclusively in the U.S. That's why Mellotrons are so rare in the U.S.
@@johnredfield6668 The Chamberlin's schematics did not "somehow leak" over to England. They were stolen by one of Chamberlin's partners, and taken by that person to the UK. This is well known.
Thank you so much for this video. The Enchanting and mystical character of the Mellotron can not be topped. Brilliant
Glad you enjoyed it!
Edgar Faroese used them too. One of his M400s was for sale on eBay. I saw Woolly Wolstenholme from Barclay James Harvest play his, up close. He had a great technique for keeping the chords going by dropping notes and bringing them back in.
All members of Tangerine Dream used M400’s live and in the studio. They also had self recorded tape frames. Additionally Edgar Froese had two Mark Vs with about 50 tape frames. He even recorded his monophonic synths so he could have polyphonic presets
@AndyKing1963 And he played piano sounds from the Mk 5, which is pretty difficult. Love his solo records especially.
@ he had single piano notes and chords on each key.
Listen to any of the Strawbs albums amazing Mellotron usage... really enjoyed this video = Bravo
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was surprised to find so much about the Mellotron on You Tube. When I first started work in 1963 (I think!) I worked for a subcontractor who made parts of the device. I cannot recall much detail but remember a "switching unit" which was mounted in a folded aluminium chassis. This was "Audio Systems" in Coventry who went bankrupt after a year or so, the workshop being an original weavers loft. I then worked for a radio and TV repair shop who took over the building, they went bankrupt too (not my fault, pure coincidence!) If there is anyone else who remembers these companies I would love to get in touch.
I did not ever see a complete unit, but do remember Eric Robinson, the band leader involved with the company in some way visiting once. I am impressed that so much detail remains readily available after all this time.
Fascinating. Thanks for watching and sharing you story.
Awesome video!! I was always fascinated by melotrons hearing them in great songs as a kid! Mind-blowing moment: realizing the opening to Bungalow Bill was a melotron!??!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Mike Pinder, (RIP) was an excellent keyboardist, and expert Mellotron player from 1963 to 1967 when he quit his day job with Streetly Electronics in Birmingham, England for his full-time gig with The Moody Blues until he left the band in 1978.
Allora due cose riguardanti il Mellotron... innanzitutto il suo inventore è statunitense, l' ingegnere elettronico HARRY CHAMBERLIN che lo inventò nel 1946 ed è considerato il primo campionatore musicale della storia. LUI lo chiamò CHAMBERLIN organ e mise sù un azienda che costruiva vari modelli e che erano soprattutto studiati per uso casalingo per divertirsi e stupire gli amici con quelle sonorità che davano l' idea di avere un orchestra in casa!!!!!!!!! Poi successe che alcuni emissari rappresentanti della CHAMBERLIN andarono in INGHILTERRA all' inizio degli anni 60...e portarono con sé credo senza il consenso del sign CHAMBERLIN alcuni progetti disegni per costruire altri modelli di strumento e quindi apportando alcune modifiche tecniche allo strumento tipo maggiore pressione delle testine sui nastri campionati e qualcos'altro.... così modificato lo ribattezzarono... MELLOTRON. I primi artisti musicali che lo utilizzarono su un album furono LA GRAHAM BOND ORGANIZATION nel loro secondo album del 1965 o 66 circa il titolo però ora mi sfugge ok.... . Gli artisti musicali che più lo hanno utilizzato sono stati es MOODY BLUES, fra i primi anche i BEATLES, ZOMBIES nell' album ODESSEY AND ORACLE credo 67/68 e poi si aprì l' epopea del cosiddetto Progressive Rock con artisti tipo KING CRIMSON,YES, GENESIS,GENTLE GIANT, STRAWBS, VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR etc etc... ché TUTTI questi che ho citato,chi più chi meno il MELLOTRON lo hanno UTILIZZATO!!!!!!! Anche da NOI in ITALIA da artisti musicali come PFM, ORME, DELIRIUM, BALLETTO DI BRONZO, OSANNA, QUELLA VECCHIA LOCANDA, MUSEO ROSENBACH etc etc!!!!!!! Davvero uno strumento musicale molto affascinante!!!!!!! Oltre alle modalità ARCHI es sonorità tipo VIOLINI,VIOLONCELLI, VIOLE poi FIATI es sonorità tipo FLAUTI, SASSOFONI,OBOE e poi ancora varie sonorità percussive tipo marimba Xilofono, vibrafono poi ancora vari strani effetti sonori tipo voci maschili femminili, bambini,bambine poi effetti tipo vento, vari versi di animali strani rumori etc etc!!!!!!!!!! Insomma è uno strumento affascinante non semplice da utilizzare suonare e anche fino a qualche anno fa... Non semplice nemmeno da trasportare!!!!!!! Potevano anche danneggiarsi i nastri. Poi hanno ideato varie modifiche tecniche su modelli più recenti che permettono più sicurezza per trasportarlo!!!!!!!!! Insomma vari modelli di mellotron sono stati ideati e costruiti es il mark 2 a due tastiere, l' M 400 ad una sola tastiera, il NOVATRON simile all' M 400 ma più facilmente trasportabile, poi il BIROTRON che era un mellotron con strutture di sintetizzatore che quindi le sue sonorità risultavano un po' fra il mellotron e il synt.E più recentemente sono stati ideati e costruiti modelli di mellotron..digitali che suonano molto bene come i mellotron precedenti ma anche MOLTO più sicuri per trasportarli .
Yes!!!
One thing that not many fans know is that the Moody Blues met The Beatles and had dinner with them in London in September-October 1966 right after the Moodies had reorganized with John and Justin in the band. As a result of that meeting, Mike Pinder and John Lennon became friends, and John was fascinated by the sounds made by the Mellotron, so Mike actually sold an M400 Mellotron to him in November 1966, and John had it delivered to Abbey Road Studios.
John Lennon then began experimenting with the 'tron and composed his song "Strawberry Fields Forever" on the Mellotron in December 1966, and I believe it was Paul McCartney who played it on the final studio recording in early 1967. Those Mellotron flute sounds on that song are legendary now. If anyone has further details or corrections on this story, I would be much obliged to read further comments.
Another aside on this story is that the band Barclay James Harvest lead singer John Lees wrote and performed a beautiful song tribute to John Lennon entitled "John Lennon's Guitar" in 1990 on their excellent album "Welcome To The Show" on Polydor, and John Lees asked Woolly Wolstenholme to create a John Lennon and Beatles feel for the song, which Woolly did beautifully by recreating the Mellotron flute sounds on the song from "Strawberry Fields Forever". The song is a lovely tribute to John Lennon, whom the band admired along with the other three Beatles. Its lyrical content is about when BJH were recording their second studio album in the fall of 1970, at Abbey Road Studios, and were recording their album "Once Again" with Pink Floyd's and Beatles producer Norman Smith, and John Lees picked up a guitar in the very same studio as The Beatles had recorded in during the 1960s, and remarked that it was John Lennon's personal guitar he had left there for recording. John Lees then decided to play it on their album so you can actually hear this guitar on that BJH album.
There are photos of the Moody Blues with The Beatles at their auspicious dinner together in London in 1966.
My favorite Mellotron album is Edgar Froese's Epsilon in Malaysian Pale. It made me feel like Edgar and I shared the same soul.
@northcoastnoise Tangerine Dream embraced the Mellotron and I think made it their own on Phaedra and the breathtaking Rubycon. I always associate the flute with Dream.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic Come to think of it, I used to confuse TD's Rubycon with Froese's Epsilon and I may have been thinking of both those albums. It's that flute sound that's the icing on the cake for me. I recall Froese saying he got it by putting a recording of a train whistle in the Mellotron. At least that was the case for Epsilon.
@northcoastnoise the release and decay of the flute seemed much longer so a whistle added makes sense, Dream had their own tapes made up I believe at some point. On Encore...especially side 4 Desert Dream showcases the Tron very well. Huge amounts of reverb helped.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic TD's analogue days were my favourite. They were a jam band out of neccesity. Pre-digital synths were so easily damaged they had to discover during sound checks what the limitations of the day's concert would be. I thought of TD as the Grateful Dead of Berlin. Froese's writings about the Berlin scene when LSD was legal remind me of the San Francisco scene the Dead was rooted in. Anyway, the Mellotron days were soon over because they were such a bother on tour. That bother forced a creativity that's been lost thanks to MIDI.
@@syntheticvisionsmusic By the way, the beginning of Epsilon is the sound of a model train, recorded from under the plywood it was running on. I wasn't surprised when Froese said so, because I'd sat under my model trains as a kid and that sound was music to my ears. I don't know if he put it in a Mellotron, but Mellotrons were a subject of the interview with Edgar I read in Keyboard Magazine all those years ago.
Thank you for giving us an inside look at the equipment we still listen to and love in our favorite vinyl recordings
Fascinating, Andrew! Every time I hear those songs now I’ll have a deeper appreciation of those sounds. Keep up the great work.
Thanks! Will do!
Hi! Excellent video here, well documented and interesting! I am a Mellotron fan for more than 25 years and owner of M400 and M4000d from Montreal, Canada. This sir collection is incredible and very well preserved. Even the rare models like T-550 and 4 tracks. It's the first time seeing those in action. Another thing about Beatles and Mellotron that was not cited. It's George Harisson only know recorded Mellotron, as I know and it's the soundtrack of the Wonderwall movie from 1968 with Jane Birkin. Apart from the Indian type music, all the rest is mainly his Mark II, left-handed rhythms included. And almost 30 years, lads from Manchester released a song called by the same moniker and reinstall those machines in their full glory. All in all! I loved your other videos and joined your channel with pleasure! Good continuation! 😎
Thank you, Sir. Glad you enjoyed it!
a mellotron is something no real string section can ever replace. many thanks for your labour of love, Andrew!
I absolutely agree. 😃Though of course the Mellotron was meant to be a substitute for strings (and much more). But it's like the Fender Rhodes, the Wurlitzer and the Yamaha CP70/80, they were meant to replace a piano on stage, but became iconic instruments in their own right.
Fantastic 🎉
Such a unique instrument. I am so glad they are still being restored and respected
“Odgen’s Nut Gone Flake” was full of the Mellotron
Fascinating Andrew! I knew the basics of the Mellotron, but this video was extra enlightening. As an audiophile as well as music lover, I was never a great fan of the Mellotron sound per se - not as "clean" as acoustic instruments, because of their tape compression, wow & flutter, fuzziness, etc. BUT they made their unique signature sounds on so much of the great music of that era that's burned into our aural memories. And as some others have also noted, I will be forever grateful to have finally learned that many familiar song sounds came from Mellotron tapes, ESPECIALLY the fuzzy "flamenco" guitar intro to Bungalow Bill! I always thought that it sounded like it had been taken from a cassette recording! Thanks very much!
Glad you enjoyed it!
When i hear the Mellotron I instantly think of the Moody Blues. Six of their 7 classic albums used some of those models.
from 67-72!
Thank you for making the community aware of this precious instrument.
It was my pleasure!
Two weeks ago, I attended a show by Genesis tribute act "The Musical Box". They use a vintage analogue Mellotron (on wheels no less). I'm 64, and was resigned that I'd never hear a real 'tron. What a thrill for the show to begin with "Watcher of the Skies", and for the evening's music to be entirely 1970-1973 Genesis. The band has been doing this for over 30 years, so they really have it down! If you've ever doubted the validity of tribute acts, TMB is one nobody should miss.
I saw they would be playing near me next month. I was considering going, but now I have to!
I've seen them twice and both times they were phenomenal. Their version of The Lamb's Broadway Melody of 1974 was mint
Seen them about a dozen times. They are magnificent, and spot on.
@rikk1546 TMB does a fantastic job, and hearing Mellotrons and Taurus bass pedals at concert level volumes is well worth experiencing. Look up their drummer, Greg Bendian. He is also a musicologist and has done many interesting interviews of musicians from that time.
@@dave_manley TMB's Wikipedia page lists their main drummer as Marc Laflamme, as "Phil Collins". It appears that Gregg Bendian briefly joined as a second drummer for a tour replicating the 1976 band. Bendian thus played "Bill Bruford". Wonderful stuff!
'Have You Heard' by the Moody Blues is Mellotron heaven.
As soon as I heard that little part of "And You and I" by YES @2:19 I just had to go and listen to the song! The mellotron is wonderful instrument and something digital pianos can't quite replicate.
A magical episode for a magical machine. Thank you Andrew, Erich and the Streetley chaps. I’m sure Delia Derbyshire would have been a fan too.
Thank you so much, Kevin!
Mellotron also was used by Tangerine Dream and now with Magnum Opus ( Closer to the Sun ).
Remarkable. My (late) big brother and I first heard of the instrument, back around 1975. Later on, we made friends with a keyboard player who knew all about them (a Bowie fan). You can't help but be truly amazed at these. Even if you're not a keyboardist.
Rick Wakeman played Tron for Bowie.
Another great video, and it's awesome to see these Mellotrons being played! I'd always heard that Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues worked for Streetly and had intimate knowledge of each product, often repairing the band's instrument on stage.
@@jtlynn23 speaking of Mike Pinder isn’t that him at 4:49 standing behind the Beatles?
@@xcskibum403 All the way on the left! I totally missed that-- good catch!
A mellotron played the opening guitar riff to Bungalow Bill? Well there's another mystery solved. I thank you more than you might imagine.
The Mellotron is deeply embedded in my life’s journey as a Prog fan. Days Of Future Passed, in The Wake of Poseidon, Nursery Cryme all live in my most private core. I’m 71, and by the time I graduated high school in 1971, Prog was rising and and became my life’s soundtrack.
There are many thoughts and memories-and feelings I can’t access until I hear certain chords played on a Mellotron, reminding me of my youth.
You are not alone. I am 58 and all of the most important groups to me used the Mellotron: Crimson, Yes, The Moodys, Genesis!
@@patpagano Amen, youngster ! It’s funny how everyone can agree on and discuss a Gilmore solo like ‘Comfortably Numb’, but we can still find personal moments with mellotron that hit just as hard e,g, The opening chords of ‘In the Wake of Poseidon’.
@@charlesbritzman501 I’m reading “listening to the future” by Bill Martin right now, it’s a fun academic look at Prog. And I spent over an hour at Planet Mellotron yesterday. on the Wake of Poseidon is a brilliant masterpiece
Absolute delight to learn more and experience such a unique and technically beautiful machine! BIG thanks team. JPMusic
Glad you enjoyed it!
You can’t beat that special sound of the mellotron. Awesome video thanks Andrew
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
A fascinating amble down an alternative Beatles route Andrew...😎
King crimson 👍
I own a Mellotron FX Console which was purchased by Czech Television in the 1960s. According to available information, only 60 units were produced. I bought it about 16 years ago and used it on my band Red Baron Band albums, specifically Reflections (2010) and Last Chance (2023). It's the same model in grey as Paul McCartney's. You can see mine on UA-cam in the Red Baron Band songs Where Sun Goes Down and Invisible Man.
Cool!!
That was a great lesson in Metatron and how they work and their history. And as an aside, I absolutely love the rutles sweatshirt. All you need is cash.
Being a dyed in the wool guitarist I thought this might be somewhat boring but I was absolutely fascinated! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The mellotron is such an iconic keyboard instrument from the sixties. I‘ve been following its history for many years now. I love its eerie otherworldly sound so much. Here in Germany it was used by electronic bands like Tangerine Dream.
OH!!!! How wonderful of you!!! I would kill to have my day on any of those Mellotrins!
Nice collection and I love the decor and T-shirt.
Those mellotrons must be a chore to maintain with all those tapes and playback heads!
The Mellotron was also used by XTC, on The Big Express & as The Dukes of Stratosphear on 25 O'Clock & Psonic Psunspot. Reportedly, Dave Gregory removed his Mellotron tapes & took them to the US when XTC recorded Skylarking with Todd Rundgren. Todd had a Chamberlain & the tapes were compatible (?).
Absolutely stunning....Genesis used a mellotron on the intro of "Watcher of the skies"
Probably it’s most apt usage imo.
Wonderful! Another fab video Andrew, and special thanks to Erich!
The FX model, which was made for the BBC, and which carries sound effects which were used on the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film, well that's no surprise at all. The BBC had a huge sound effects library which was painstakingly compiled by BBC staff over many years. The BBC allowed free use of these recordings for absolutely anyone, you could actually buy LPs of BBC sound effects which were used free of copyright, anywhere from local amateur dramatics groups in village halls, right up to feature films. Many's the time I'd be in the cinema and recognise sound effects of BBC origin. In your video here, the 2nd Mellotron key plays one particular comedy effect enchantingly entitled "whizz-clong", from memory!
I worked at the BBC for nearly 40 years and I came across such a Mellotron in a "Sypher" studio, the BBC's sound dubbing suite at Television Centre in London. Who knows, maybe it was actually this unit? Although I suspect the BBC had a few of them.
But to be honest, of far more interest to me is the way Rick Wakeman used the Mellotron for so many of his recordings, with Yes on Fragile, Close to the Edge etc, and on his solo works such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Wakeman was also involved in the development of the Birotron which came a little later, which I believe used continuous tape loops which could play notes of endless length. It was very soon superceded by samplers and synthesisers though.
But of course as you rightly point out, the analogue charm and sound of these units is incomparable to any digital "copy".
Fascinating! Thanks for posting and glad you enjoyed the video.
I've never seen a video quite like this. love it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The chamberlin as a close sibling of the mellotron has a fascinating and dodgy past. Well worth looking it up (if you haven’t already)
No Chamberlin would mean no Mellotron! 😎👍
@@JohnLRice Ssshhhh!! That's a bit of corporate dirty laundry which the Brits would prefer we didn't talk about.
@@rikk1546 😁🤭
I originate from Sutton Coldfield and got into listening to electronic music in 1981 with OMD's Architecture & Morality album.
I have lost count on the number of times that I travelled passed 338, Aldridge Road, Streetly, but didn't know this iconic instrument at the time.
That swirling, eerie, otherworldliness from those last few Brian Jones-era Stones' tracks through to some pre-Spiders Bowie and John Paul Jones in Zeppelin's use, to name a few of my personal fave examples, just wouldn't have the same ambience with a trad string orch section. Brilliant overview.
Very cool collection Erich! The Mellotron is such a unique instrument, maybe outdated but fascinating!
Great video, I love when he opened it up to show the insides with the tapes & tape heads!
Glad you enjoyed!
Super job on the video, very informative, & something not seen often! @@Parlogram
Fascinating simply fascinating. I think this is one of your best episodes. As an American this is a part of the musical landscape. You hear about and know nothing about it. Thank Andrew, for an education I so badly needed.
Thank you, Sir! Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video.. thank you for taking us inside the amazing world of Melotron. I had no idea how it worked. So much of the greatest music made utilised this incredible machine. Those were the best years for music creativity.
Glad you enjoyed it!
It’s looks like the museum of ancient history now!
It’s amazing how far we’ve come. I’m jealous of young people who’ll have access to mind blowing technology 20 years from now!
Bloody hell, mate... One of the best videos on your channel. Thank you and congratulations!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Fascinating insight on this hidden, yet influential instrument that shaped the soundscape of some classic pieces of music from the 60s and 70s.
Glad you enjoyed it!
@@Parlogram 👍
What a remarkable collection. Thanks to you both for sharing the history of this unique and beautiful instrument. Eric’s entire collection at the beginning of the video was amazing. He’s definitely in a class all his own. You could probably do a dozen videos just of his collection. Just mind boggling, thanks Andrew for sharing this with us.
Fantastic video, Andrew! Really sincerely enjoyed this. As a longtime mellotron fan, this ranks as truly one of the best ‘explorations’ into the device, its various iterations and the gorgeous sounds it has made famous. Many thanks from a fan in the Arizona desert:)
Thanks Jason. Glad you enjoyed it.
Ok playing a mellotron has been added to my bucket list. Completely unrelated but I'll be watching Sir Paul this Tuesday in Costa Rica 💜 I'm beyond excited
Hey friend! I’ll be going to the concert this Tuesday too! I know it’s one for the ages.
Hope you have the best time!
@ wohoo you as well 💜
Mellotron is a very cool sounding instrument and really brings out the song! Strawberry fields forever really works well a sound for the ages! Great video Andrew for bringing out all the history on the Mellotron and your friend giving us some neat information! He has a great collection!Enjoyed your video Andrew!
Thanks John. Glad you enjoyed it!
I don't know if it counts but I recently bought a mini mellotron which is digital but stores digitally all the original tapes. What I love about it apart from it looks as gorgeous as an original, is that it has midi, no need to take yonks changing tapes & finding storage space for them, libraries are on SD cards & you don't need a crane to lift a machine that resembled my old white chest freezer with a keyboard on top haha! I admit though I'm still fascinated by old tech like this. For example if I had the room I'd love to own an ancient IBM computer which used reels & lots of motors.
Thanks for another great video Andrew. It was amazing to see and hear the history of the fantastic Mellotron and examples of how it was used in some of our favourite music over the decades that made such an impression on us.
Long live the Mellotron!🎉
Thanks Phil. Glad you enjoyed it.
An amazing instrument! Over the years I've read about how difficult/temperamental they could be when artists would take them on the road; evidently they would break down often. With all those delicate moving parts, I now understand why. The only three bands I witnessed using them live were King Crimson, the Moody Blues, and Genesis, and it's remarkable how they all used the instrument very differently in the studio. I also had no idea of all the sound effects/gimickry uses those machines could possess. Yet another hyper-informative video, Andrew. Many Thanks!!
Thanks David. Glad you enjoyed it!
I remember reading that Yes used to tour with 3 of them so that they had at least one working for a set
Priceless and “ enchanting “ video. My fav instrument of all time
Great video!!! I always enjoy your videos but I especially enjoyed this one! I’m not a musician but the mellotron always fascinated me. Thank you for this video!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mellotron Scratch from Porcupine Tree is an amazing piece!!!
Andrew, the Mellotron is an awesome instrument !! I have used a software version in a few of my original songs.
I love The Rutles shirt...that should be your next video topic!!
This is a wonderful video! Congrats to Erich for his collection of not only Mellotrons, but other great gear.
A suitable audio companion for this vid is "The Mellotron Album - Rime Of The Ancient Sampler," a 1993 CD compilation featuring the unique contributions of many famous artists.
Maybe more of a mention of the Chamberlin (which was invented in the early 50s), on which the original Mark I was, almost a direct "rip-off." In fact, I believe Mellotron was ordered to pay Chamberlin restitution for it.
Indeed!
The Chamberlin's schematics were stolen by a disgruntled partner, and flown to the UK where they were used to create the first Mellotron. A story of industrial skullduggery worthy of its own documentary, no?
@rikk1546 I'd watch it.
I think I was wrong about the date. I think it was actually being developed in the late 1940's. Crazy.
My first introduction to the Mellotron was on the mid-Sixties Graham Bond Organization’s albums The Sound Of 65’ and There’s A Bond Between Us.
Great video, thanks! For those who are first introduced to this instrument, I'd like to add that it was a remarkable instrument but also very heavy and fragile at the same time. It could be used for many applications, it was primarely a "pocket" orchestra for households and theatre. Its main charming quirk is of course the eerie, ghostly quality of the recorded sounds. It was sensible to changes in electric tension and humidity, altering the response and tuning of each component. So, when pop rock groups started incorporating in live performances they had to learn to play it or adjust to it accordingly on the spot. A whimsical instrument, though often it was not its fault but it was the hardship of touring. Tony Banks of Genesis apparently said he had to develop a specific way of playing it, with certain tapes or intervals having the chance of working more than others and most of the time. Some groups (maybe Yes or King Crimson?) who could afford to have them had three: one on the scene, one as backup and the other with the repairman... Digital recreations do exist of course, and though they can recreate the spectral quality of the sound they can't do the same with its unpredictable nature (for the better or for the worse). Hence the "need" of restoring old models and even produce some new ones.
Recently purchased a micro & mini Mellotron, can’t describe how amazing they both sound. Although a digital version, they both behave just like huge white monster I used to help carry into venues.
Great to see the inside of the Mellotron, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The Moody Blues were mentioned a week or two ago, and it's nice to know that a few videos will pop up involving their story, and no doubt with the Mellotron. As someone has already pointed out, Mike Pinder was pretty much the king of the instrument, and actually did some development work on it, iirc. It was also him that mentioned that the early Mellotrons were a difficult beast to take on tour, 1. because they were so heavy, and 2. because they were so affected by the humidity and heat levels at venues. Apparently they could go a bit off pitch in the middle of a set, which presented Mike with a few problems. All good memories for us though.
Great video, Andrew! I saw the Moody Blues in late '69 in Toronto. :Unfortunately, they were having a few problems with their mellotron that night.
Also featured on my all time fave, Michael Angelo by the 23rd Turn Off, another great Liverpool group from 67
Well done !
Thank you!
I had no ideia that Space Oddity had a mellotron on it. Thank you for another great video, Andrew.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Played by Rick Wakeman, who also contributed to a number of other Bowie tracks. At one point Rick had to decide whether to join Spiders From Mars, or Yes.
Brilliant video. Your recreation of FLYING had me grinning. Really enjoyable stuff. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it
Beautiful video ¡¡¡let's not forget led zeppelin used it a lot on studio and live as well played by john paul Jones.
Best spent 22 minutes on UA-cam in a long time... how I enjoyed this video , so thank you .... the Mellotron will for me always be associated with Woolly Wolstenholme ( rip ) from Barclay James Harvest.... and so happy that only after one day on the net, so many people react to this video..
Glad you enjoyed it! Woolly Wolstenholme's widow donated his M300 Mellotron to Abbey Road: www.abbeyroad.com/news/the-mellotron-m300-returns-to-abbey-road-studios-2643
Incrível, você tocando estes sons, comecei a associar a trilhas de efeitos de vários filmes antigos.
For years ago (about 2010) i visited a home studio for a "simple music deal". The owner had a big collection of string ensembles and also the mellotron M400.
I could play some notes on the mellotron. Woow that was amazing!! He also demonstrates me the changing of the sound-racks.
For me it was a great visit!🎹🎹
Great episode. Never heard or even heard of this instrument until I started listening to prog/rock about 25 years ago. Interesting history.
Hi, I can't really contribute much here, except that I saw my first Mellotron in Harrods Music Department, around 1963 I suppose. It was switched on, so I was able to play a few notes. I was immediately blown away by the idea, but I never came across another, and it faded from my attention. The facination always remained, even though I don't think I ever realized how much it featured in 80s music. That video is one of the most interesting I've seen on UA-cam in a long while. Thanks!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Paul brought out the flutes sound of the Mellotron again (played by Linda!) in 1975, for the Wings song "Call Me Back Again".
Anyone who wears a Rutles jumper is okay in my book! Erich is a really cool bloke! Mahalo to you and Erich for bringing this subject to light.
Last week, the word "Mellotron" was merely a meaningless word I'd read in LP liner notes and such. Now...wow! I hadn't a clue what their characteristic sound was, how they worked, nor how many times (nearly all of them, really...) I'd actually listened to one!
Yet another reference work, Andrew, and it's a good'un! Aloha!
Rutles jumper AND MGM-era Orbison LP covers on the wall!
@@MrJohnBurger-JB Yes, indeed! Erich would be a great person to talk to about musical history. How fortunate that Andrew and Erich met and created this video for us! What an experience!
Thanks Jim! Glad you enjoyed it.
Awesome video! We love the Mellotron and use a vintage M400 on the albums we record and post on our UA-cam channel. Our motto is; You Can Never Have Too Much Mellotron.
Great video. Love that instrument and the songs it was used on
Outstanding work sir!
Thank you kindly, Sir!
Just this past week, I bought an ebook about the Moody Blues. Mike Pinder actually worked at Streetly at one point and introduced the Mellotron to John Lennon. The tapes have three parallel tracks and a selector knob lets you choose which one. That triples what a Mellotron could play.
IIRC, you could put the selector halfway between stops to mix two sounds, so 1+2 or 2+3. Bummer if you wanted 1+3, but hey...
Thinking of The Nice and The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack, at the end of one of tracks there is a round of applause that sounds like one of the effects on there
@@yonkieponkie emerson hated mellotrons.....only NICE Mellotron track::: DIAMOND HARD BLUE APPLES OF THE MOON"