Nick Venet

As an A&R guy and frequent maker for Capitol rock and roll, pop, and folk acts in the 1960s, Nick Venet (occasionally spelled Nik Venet) held a significant position within the music industry during rock’s most volatile decade. Venet’s productions weren’t seen as a an identifiably unique or idiosyncratic audio, and he offers sometimes been solid by histories as an establishment physique lagging somewhat behind the enhancements of the time. He created several important works while at Capitol, though, including significant information with the Seaside Boys, the very first produces by Linda Ronstadt (as an associate from the Rock Poneys), plus some rather cultish and underground performers, such as for example Fred Neil. Venet got done some just work at the LA jazz label Globe Pacific before getting used on by Capitol, where he was mostly of the members from the creative staff using a experience for what the growing youth segment from the pop marketplace might want. He previously some pop achievement using the Lettermen, but his initial significant contribution to rock and roll was his function in the first career from the Seaside Guys. The group got already completed some recordings for an area indie label, and got a regional strike (and small nationwide one) with “Surfin’,” when Venet noticed some Seaside Guys demos in 1962. He quickly agreed upon them, and was detailed as manufacturer on their initial two albums, Surfin’ Safari and Surfin’ U.S.A, including their early strikes “Surfin’ Safari,” “409,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” and “TURN OFF.” Historians and the ones on the picture at that time possess subsequently stated that Brian Wilson was actually primarily in charge of the Seaside Boys’ creation immediately, which Venet’s function was even more accurately referred to as that of professional manufacturer. You can also reason it wouldn’t have a genius to detect the potential of an organization with just as much apparent songwriting and vocal skill as the Seaside Males. Still, Venet’s contribution must not be underestimated. He authorized them to 1 of the largest labels on the planet at the same time when they had been almost unknown, and when he certainly was just an professional maker of types, he understood enough to escape just how and allow Brian Wilson deal with things rather than mucking it up. Wilson himself officially assumed the producer’s responsibilities with the Seaside Males’ third recording, Surfer Lady, in 1963. Incidentally, mentioned maker Shel Talmy (the Kinks, the Who) credits Venet with assisting him get yourself a work with Decca in Britain in the first ’60s. The American-born Talmy, a documenting engineer in LA, was travelling in European countries and frequented Dick Rowe of Decca. He performed him acetates of discs Venet have been involved with, with the Seaside Guys and Lou Rawls, and (with Venet’s understanding) claimed the task as his very own. An impressed Decca employed Talmy, and by enough time they determined the ruse, Talmy acquired already created hits, and individuals were happy to allow situation rest. Venet held a foot within the water from the browse/hot rod picture as a manufacturer for the Hondells, who acquired the most industrial success with scorching rod music than anyone save the Seaside Guys and Jan & Dean. Still, a lot of his use Capitol was of the pop instead of rock character, including records with the Lettermen, Glen Campbell, the Four Preps, and Bobby Darin. Capitol didn’t record much significant American rock through the period (needless to say that they had the Seaside Guys and American privileges towards the Beatles, so they weren’t as well badly off), plus they discovered themselves at risk of dropping behind the days. Venet appeared to be on the path to dealing with the Mamas & the Papas if they initial found its way to California, however they ended up choosing Lou Adler and Dunhill rather. Slightly afterwards, nevertheless, Venet do confirm his merits being a maker of noteworthy folk-rock, both with cult vocalist/songwriter Fred Neil as well as the Rock Poneys, Linda Ronstadt’s 1st group. Judging from these discs, Venet was experienced at helping art recordings with large and rich noises where acoustic instruments had been in the fore, but nonetheless able to mix harmoniously with some electrical guitars and tempo section. He will be acknowledged with having become anything from Neil, a notoriously mercurial vocalist/songwriter who not record whatsoever following the early ’70s. The creation around the discs by Neil as well as the Rock Poneys foreshadow the subdued folk-pop-rock sound that might be common of California-recorded vocalist/songwriter albums from the ’70s. Venet also created some notable attempts by performers who produced Neil look like a celebrity compared — folk vocalist Karen Dalton and Bay Region psychedelic music group Mad River, whose debut LP is among the most eccentric California rock and roll albums from the ’60s. Like lots of the suppliers of his era, he became significantly less active following the ’60s, although he do focus on some albums by John Stewart, the vocalist/songwriter who was simply formerly within the Kingston Trio.