Immediate Records
Labels Unlimited

Immediate Records tells the story of one of Britain's most prestigious independent record labels. Packed with record sleeve photographs and other ephemera from the time, Immediate Records' illustrious story is vividly and enthrallingly brought to life in this comprehensive volume.

Formed in 1965 by The Rolling Stones’ 21-year-old manager and producer, Andrew Loog Oldham; Immediate Records was the leading and quintessential sixties’ UK record label. Inspired by American independents such as King, Tamla-Motown, Kama Sutra, Philles and Genius Inc, Immediate was progressive, irreverent, lawless and home to a galaxy of young superstars.

The first British independent label, Immediate smashed the system from within while reflecting the  taste of the outrageous and extravagant, but ruthlessly commercial Loog Oldham. Its sound veered between bubblegum, mod, freakbeat, R&B, folk, rock, soul, psychedelia and ultra-hip ‘swinging London’ baroque.

At Immediate, Rod Stewart and the Small Faces sat alongside Nico, John Mayall, Cat Stevens, Jimmy Page, The Nice, PP Arnold, Amen Corner, Chris Farlowe, The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac. Many of the label’s hit songs were written and produced by The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Amid the youthful rebellion, provocative slogans, controversial promotion and beautiful packaging, there were the songs: “Lazy Sunday”, “Hang On Sloopy”, “Out Of Time”, “(If Paradise Is) Half As Nice”, “Itchycoo Park”, “Handbags & Gladrags”, “Angel Of The Morning”, “Here Come The Nice”, “First Cut Is The Deepest”, “Man Of The World”, “Tin Soldier”, and many more.

Featuring exclusive interviews with Andrew Loog Oldham and Immediate co-founder Tony Calder, plus the key staff and stars, Immediate Records tells the full and unadulterated story of the prestigious label; from its brazen launch to its decadent disintegration in 1970. It is packed with record sleeves, art, advertisements, contracts, photographs and rare material from the Immediate archives.

Simon Spence collaborated with Andrew Loog Oldham on Stoned and 2Stoned, Oldham’s acclaimed two-volumes of autobiography. He also conducted research and extensive interviews for Don Arden’s autobiography, Mr Big (Ozzy, Sharon and My Life as The Godfather of Rock). As a journalist he has written for NME, The Face, i-D, Dazed & Confused, The Independent, The Japan Times and International Herald Tribune.

 

See also:

• Warp
• Rough Trade
• Ace Records
• Old Rare New