Ron Richards (producer)

Ron Richards (22 January 1929 – 30 April 2009)[1] was a British record producer, manager and promoter, best known for discovering The Hollies.[2]

Early life

Richards was born Ronald Richard Pratley in London, England, to Mary Lipscombe and an unknown Irish jockey, and was adopted at an early age. He became a proficient pianist as a child and, after being conscripted, played the piano and saxophone for the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.[1][3]

Career

Richards started working as a song plugger in London's Tin Pan Alley in 1952, and discovered songwriter Jerry Lordan. He later worked at EMI's Parlophone imprint as an assistant to producer George Martin, who recognised his potential as a producer.[3] Richards discovered The Hollies, and in 1963 signed them to a recording contract with Parlophone. Richards produced most of The Hollies' music between 1963 and 1979, during which time they had seventeen Top 10 hit singles in the UK, as well as worldwide success.[2]

At first, Martin was not greatly involved with Parlophone's new signing, The Beatles, and Richards was assigned to produce their first session in June 1962, (with drummer Pete Best). It was Richards who originally considered that Best was unsuitable for recording work, and he wasn't very impressed by Best's replacement, Ringo Starr. Richards hired session drummer Andy White, and Richards and Martin produced the Beatles' first single "Love Me Do".[3]

Richards had suggested the Beatles' first record should be "How Do You Do It?" by Mitch Murray and, after Martin took control of the Beatles' sessions, Richards worked with Gerry and the Pacemakers, who were the first act to go to No. 1 with each of their first three singles, "How Do You Do It?", "I Like It", and using Martin's string arrangement, "You'll Never Walk Alone".[3]

In August 1965, Richards joined Martin in leaving EMI to start AIR Studios.[3][4] Working for Liberty Records, Richards was also the musical director for P.J. Proby and together they worked on the Proby albums.

Richards is mentioned in The Beatles' bootleg recordings during the session for "Think For Yourself". After George Martin makes a few mistakes, George Harrison jokes about getting Richards to produce Rubber Soul instead. The exact words were, "I wonder if Ron Richards is free tomorrow?" followed by laughs.

One of the songs on Rubber Soul is George Harrison's "If I Needed Someone". On the same day that the Rubber Soul LP came out in Britain (3 December 1965), a cover of that song was released by The Hollies - produced by Ron Richards.

Personal life

Ron Richards who was married in 1954 to Ellen Fraser, had two sons and a daughter. He died in Watford, Hertfordshire, on 30 April 2009,[1] and his funeral was held on 15 May in Hemel Hempstead.

References
  1. "2009 January to June". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  2. Lastingtribute.co.uk Archived September 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Leigh, Spencer (11 June 2009). "Ron Richards: Record producer who worked with the Beatles ..." The Independent. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  4. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 149. CN 5585.
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