The Coventry Music Museum launches its latest temporary exhibition on Sun 1st February sponsored and supported by Coventry City Council, looking at the life of Coventry-born producer Tony Clarke. If that name seems unfamiliar, then the body of work is unlikely to, for Tony produced the core seven albums for Birmingham's Moody Blues. Those amazing songs includes what many consider the finest song ever written namely, "Nights In White Satin".
The exhibition looks at Tony's career, from early days in one of Coventry's first bands, The Atlantics, to his first production success at Decca Records with Rugby band Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Then onto his fateful meeting with the Moody Blues, who were crest fallen after their initial hit "Go Now" had failed to stimulated any longevity. We look at how Tony and the Moody's created Progressive Rock, and how "Nights In White Satin" has help to create the legacy for this greatly missed musician/producer. Not forgetting his work with the Four Tops and Tamla Motown Records and so much more.
Museum Director curator Pete Chambers said, the museum continues to celebrate Coventry talent, especially those names that may not be familiar, Tony was a Cov Kid that did amazing things in the studio, not only producing The Equals, The Moodys, the Four Tops, but actually helping to create "Prog Rock", many have no idea Coventry had a hand in that. He was also a real gentleman, I recall when I launched one of my books, he drove all the way up from Brighton to attend for a couple of hours, then drove all the way back again. He was like that, and now we can tell his story thanks to the generosity of Coventry City Council."
The exhibition displays many of Tony's personal items, loaned by his wife Helen, including a platinum disc he received, real life Moody Blues master tapes, his records, his prized bass guitar, photographs and clothing. There's also a chance for guests young and not-so-young to create some "Threshold" Sounds of their own, in our studio set.
The exhibition continues to May, entry is the usual £2.00 museum entry for adults, and £1.00 for children (aged 5-15). The museum is open Thursday to Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm, last entry at 3.30pm, it is located adjacent to the pedestrian crossing on Walsgrave Road/Ball Hill.