Derek Lawrence

Among Britain’s leading rock and roll makers, Lawrence worked briefly with Joe Meek and Ronan O’Rahilly (of Radio Caroline) from 1964-65 before learning to be a freelance maker. Often creating paths for US launch, Lawrence worked well in the past due 60s with performers such as for example Jethro Tull, Kim Fowley, Garnet Mimms, the V.We.Ps (later Spooky Teeth) and Tony Wilson (later of Hot Chocolates). His 1st chart success arrived in 1968 when he supervised the very first recordings of Deep Crimson, like the US strikes ‘Hush’ and Tones Of Deep Crimson. He continued to utilize Wishbone Ash, documenting four albums using the group from 1970-74. Through the early 70s he also created Adobe flash and Green Bullfrog, the short-lived studio room group led by Ritchie Blackmore. Among Lawrence’s regular studio room group had been Big Jim Sullivan (acoustic guitar), Chas Hodges (piano) and Dave Peacock (acoustic guitar). Once the maker setup his personal label, Retreat, in 1973, one of the primary acts to become documented was Sullivan’s music group Tiger and Chas And Dave, the Hodges-Peacock collaboration singing rock specifications and ‘cockney’ originals. The Retreat roster also included feminine vocalist Theo Scherman and rock and roll rings Dragonfly and Unusual Days. Following the label folded in 1976, Lawrence shifted to LA where he created heavy metal rings Angel and Fist. Time for Britain in 1979, Lawrence was much less mixed up in 80s, recording sometimes with Carl Wayne, Tony Wilson among others.