Contributor Reiss sent this in to the archive about the extremely important Zella Studio and Record Label. More information is needed!
Although Zella Records had been born and grown from Ladbrokes Music shop whose address was on Bristol Street, the studio itself was detached and was located in a delivery quadrangle to the rear of the shop which was accessible through a pair of large gates built into the facade of the Bristol Street shopfronts to permit lorry deliveries to the rear. This quadrangle also backed onto Essex Street so effectively, the studio was in Essex Street and Ladbrokes Music Shop was on Bristol Street. Spencer Davis, The Move, The Uglys, Idle Race, Magnum, Beshara, Band of Joy and Black Sabbath who made their very first studio recording there .
“Tracks on the double album ‘Brum Beat Live at the Barrel Organ’ were edited and mixed at Johnny Haynes’ Zella Recording Studios”.
Johhny Haynes ran Zella and relocated it to Ampton Road, Edgbaston. Again more details needed about this please!
Ex Rumblefish singer/guitarist Jeremy Paige sent me over to You Tube and this video for Fine Young Cannibals – Johnny Come Home which he told me was shot at Zella Studios in Ampton Rd:
It was the Ampton Rd studio ‘in leafy Edgbaston’ as the brochure said. Very nice, secluded spot. In that FYC video they’re performing in the recording space, which was a large room with a couple of booths. There was a big grand piano in there and a clapped out old drum kit (which didn’t matter because you just had to hit it and the mixing desk made it sound brilliant). Through the window is the mix room, which was tiny and cramped, but it was a 16-track as I remember. There was a small room off it with a door to a garden. Small kitchen where we’d brew up. Payphone outside in the corridor. Got the feeling it was a converted church. Had that feel to it. It had an impressive array of equipment (we used their Linn Drums on one session). Johnny Haynes was the owner and often hanging around, but it was John Shaw who engineered at first for us, and later a young kid called Steve Harris.
Hi Andy Conway do you know if any records still exist from local bands in the early 70s?? From zella records.
Jon perrin
I was searching for a chap called Sean Kennedy who played in St Agnes in Cornwall in the 80s. A friend said he still had a cassette tape including the best version of Waltzing Matilda he had ever heard. The cassette was recorded at Zilla records.
If anyone knows what happened to Sean it would be good to get back in contact. The ref on the cassette is zelcas291
Thanks
Bill
Hi there, I have a ten track demo album on Zel-La, an acetate with no info on the label at all. It sounds like an early 70’s soft rock band. I don’t recognise any of the songs!
HELP!
Regards,
Garry
I have a single record, singer named Ian Sinclair, with songs titled I believe in music, Make me an island, River deep mountain high. Words. recorded in 1975 by Zel-la records. Can you tell me anything about it, or the singer. Or if anyone wants the record. thank you.
Hi All – in particular Rose Eadie. As a drummer i worked with Ian Sinclair and his keyboard partner, Roger Brooking. We were regulars at The Spring Cottage, the Throstles Club, and quite a few others. These were mainly Free & Easy gigs which were very popular at the time. Ian & Roger went on to run their own pub with a heavy leaning on live music. Before that I worked, for a number of years with the much lamented Keith Lloyd and Kenny Haywood taking the drum stool after the departure of Marvin Whittle. Somewhere in the loft I have a record of Keiths made at Zella and, I believe, One of Kenny Haywood. We ended up at Keiths own pub, The Vine & Railway at Cradely Heath another regular vocalist was Kevin Bennet. i hope this stirs a few memories for people
ian sinclair was a very popular Black country night club and cabaret singer -managed by George Harrison music shop in Dudley – his piece de resistance was a numbe r form “jesus Christ Superstar” –the record label -either zella or another local label was based in offices on dudley road near Oldbury roundabout -tony Martel also recorded for Zella.
i featured both on local radio in the 70s
Hi…
I have an album called The Sounds of Skipper on Zel-La dated 1979 . The band members are Mike Woods and Mel Thomas. Strangely enough the sleeve notes are by a Bryan May ( wrong spelling if its him ) who appears on the Album singing one of his own songs called Two Timer. The actual credit on the record label for the song is Brian May ( correct spelling if its him).
Would be grateful if anyone could shed any light on this album.thanks
I have found a copy of Jackie Kelly Entertains on a blue Zella JHEPS 171. which belonged to my late faher in law, is there any information on this? or is it of any interest to anybody it is in the original sleeve and signed by the singer.
I recorded at Zella with the band ‘Glass On Ice’ in 1988, really good studio but the young engineer we had was crap and did a real shitty mix, and it wasn’t cheap to record there, so we enjoyed working there but weren’t happy with the end result.
I recorded a 3 track demo in April 1983 with Finis Code.We felt like proper musicians because the studio in Ampton Road had high ceilings & lots of space.I only used the wooden encased Fender Rhodes but the Zella had a Hammond and a Grand Piano there.
Just prior to Finis Code going in I recall on Midlands TV ‘The Maisonettes’ doing a video shoot from Zella of their hit ‘Heartache Avenue’.I went back in 1986 and bought our mixed master which I was able to put onto a DAT tape then a CD.Jiohnny Haynes was a friendly accomodating Gent on the two occasions I met him in ’83 & ’86.
You’ll find ‘Sucker For Your Love’ on my myspace page..and I’m still available for panto!
It would be great if a record label could put togther a ZELLA compilation LP/CD
featurting bands and artists who have recorded at Zella Recording Studios over the years.Is’ Big Bear’ records still going??
Simon, I’ve emailed Johhny Haynes a couple of times about this. Will try again!
Hello all. I loved Zella studios too. It had a unique sound of it’s own. I recorded a single there Christmas 1982. It was a Christmas song called ‘Crossing The Ridge at Christmas Time’. We had 1000 copies done on good old 45 RPM Vinyl. I still have around 200 copies left. I went on to do many more keyboard / Piano sessions right up to around 1988 / 89.
I did alot of work / sessions for Johnny Haynes. Johnny if you read this please get in touch. What happened to Zella ? Is it still a studio ? Anyone know anything about Zella or Johnny Haynes please get in touch: terrymiles8@msn.com Thanks. Terry
Hi. Johnny Haynes lives less than a quarter of a mile from me.I used Zella myself back in the eighties. I see Johnny in passing from time to time. He’s now fully retired from the music biz and Zella as far as i am aware no longer exists.
Hi, I am trying to contact Johnny Haynes, it would be great if you could help.
Jim Simpson
Strangely, we were up at Ritch Bitch this weekend talking to Rob Bruce re Zella, he seemed to think that the Ampton Road studio was originally leased by the BBC and they were responsible for the original studio design prior to Zella taking over the lease.
Hi,
I’ve just picked up a battered copy of a 45 by a band called Chicago Hush released on the Zella Records label, recorded and made in Birmingham. Sounds mid-late 60s a little psychedelic. Wondered if you knew anything about the artist or label?
Thanks,
Richard.
hello Richard (five years later!!)
I was researching Zella having recorded there on many occasions!
That recording by Chicago Hush is indeed rare. I don’t have a copy and I’m on it!! Along with my brother Dave Ball.
Hi denny
My cousin maurice was bassist and singer and paul was the drummer sad to say maurice (mo) passed away this week.
Dave Willetts.
Ps weve all still got copies of the high seas ep!!!
Johnny Haynes was very instrumental to me I remember looking in the yellow page’s for disc cutting and yes it took me to Z in the alpherbet to find zella me being from Wolverhampton remember meeting John for the first time very pleasent man made me feel very comfortable I remember being shown around the studio yes it was a converted church after the studio we proseeded through a few doors then there was a locked door could not believe my eye’s cutting lathe right there in front of me to cut a long story short must be 3 year’s or more cutting reference disc’s or dubplates as we call them……John even taught how to use the cutter got to a point he would leave me to do my thing ..bless him…
Our band CHARTZ recorded many self-penned demos at Zella in the early 1980s, and we asked Zella to press 1000 singles of our song “Girl’s World” which opened the doors for us with a major music publisher, eventually leading us to London and New York. In the 1980s we also recorded many successful radio and TV commercials there, and back in the 1960s my Willenhall school music concert was recorded and I played the triangle in this. I never had a copy until 20 years later when I mentioned it to Johnny Haynes who said “I remember recording this” and he went off to his office and found an LP of my junior school concert that he still had so he gave it to me! A nice fella, happy times 🙂
Hiya do you remember a punk band in 1977 called Julie and the Opinions? We recorded tracks at Zella
with Johnny Haynes but we have mislaid them it would be absolutely great if we could contact him for any old masters that’s if he kept any otherwise they are lost now but we have photos of us playing at the star club brum.
Any contact would be great
Cheers!
Julie
Hello Julie check out YouTube for a set of pics I took of your band way back type the opinions Birmingham punk band and scroll through the results you are there somewhere ! Loz
Hi Julie as a big fan of the opinions I would love to hear those recordings again, Johnny was known to keep recordings of all the bands recording at zella, Someone like jez Collins could put you in touch. Please let me know if you succeed.
Paul panic
We (Bandanna) recorded some stuff in our very early years (c 1976) in a Studio inderneath Wasp Music shop in Bristol St. The top of this article refers to that Location.
I remember it was very posh! All nice shiny Equipment etc. albeit a bit sterile in Terms of end product.
It was our 1st serious recording attempt and we couldnt believe how long things took, esp to get drum sounds. Raymond Froggatt turned up to watch and ended up playing the tambourine on the tracks.
As a budding songwriter (failed!), I recorded three tracks at Zella in 1981. The musicians were Pete Francis (guitar), Pete Briggs-Fish on drums, John Purser on keyboards, and Bob Jacombs on bass. Bob sang the vocals on two of them and I did the third, with Bob doing all the harmonies. I don’t know if anyone remembers any of them and what became of them.
My Band Quartz Recorded A Song Called “Satan’s Serenade” And A Cover Version Of Mountains Classic ‘Nantucket Sleighride ” At Zella Studios In 1979 Nice Studio!
Mick Hopkins (Quartz Lead Guitarist)
I studied at St Peters College in Saltley 1964 – 1967. Johnny Haynes was also a student 1963 – 1966. He began recording as has already been said at the rear of Ladbrooks Music Shop. He moved to Ampton road when the BBC moved into Pebble Mill. The Ampton road studio was the old BBC No2 music studio. Johnny built the booth and I and several others helped move the 16 track equipment in one afternoon. Boy was it a tight fit. If I remember rightly it was the first 16 track available in Brum, but I may be wrong about that. The old grand piano was left in the studio by the BBC, because it would have cost them more to move it to Pebble Mill than it was worth. If anyone has an address or contact details for Johnny please let me have them please.
Hi Gordon, I am trying to contact Johnny Haynes, did you have any luck to find Johnny Haynes? Jim Simpson
I used to be in a pop outfit called Sunstroke and we recorded a few times at pre-Zella when it was still a BBC studio. I still have the cassette of the session, with among other songs, ‘Midnight Confession’ I think by Neil Diamond. The session was recorded for BBCs Radio 1 Club. I seem to remember a great drum sound and somebody’s Gibson guitar left on the stage, I’m sure there was a small stage in the converted church? Sunstroke had management based upstairs in Wasp on Hurst St (Pete Oliver). We did loads of gigs even though the band was rinky tink. I think we even played at a school for the deaf in Erdington. Great days.
I need so much a copy of a record produced by Waynes: The Natives – Rhythm Calls.
The keyboards player was a guy called Misha Takhar (passed away in 2011).
Anyone knows about it?
Thanks from Brazil.
Does anybody have any information about a band called Inside Out who recorded an eight-track 10″ acetate demo at Zella. Kinda sounds like early ’70s prog-influenced rock – handwritten titles include Inside Out 71, Talking To You Through A Hole In The Sky, Love Theme For The Reclining Adolescant (sic) and The Whispering Song (& Scrambled Eggs), with writing credits listed as Wild / Moran. Thanks….
As a songwriter – I used to record my new material at Domino ( Albrighton ) and a few at Zella in the early 70’s.
Around 1972 – I recorded a song called “Sandy” – and my backing group was The Mail – ( from Burntwood ( Lichfield) – Neil & Brian are now members of Sight ‘n’ Sound – and rhythm guitarist Alan – ( ex Montanas) has a band called Krys.
Two years later – I went back into Zella – and recorded “Sandy” again – with my own band.
In 1996 – I worked with Johnny Haynes again at Sutton College.
If this is who I think it is, Hey Sandy is an absolutely brilliant song as is the album Writer of Songs. Of course this might be someone completely different so apologies if it is!
hi julie i dont have the cassette tape of this session at zella that you gave me but i do still have a set of photos that i took of the opinions if you are interested cheers loz
I have in my possession a demonstration disc pursed fro the “ diskery “ Birmingham many years back probably around the 70’s ZELLA Records , artists were “MAGIC BOX “ title is “Early Bird” / “Mary Colinto “ that I notice was missing? Any information about this please
I started my recording career at Zella from 1985 – late 1987 as a tea boy and later graduating to a house engineer. Jonny Haines was a wonderful boss. A pure recording enthusiast and a wonderful mentor. I returned there in the early 90’s to engineer an album by the band Magnum who had taken over the running of the studio. It was a fantastic quirky place and a wonderful studio where to learn your craft. I was actually there on the day the Fine Young Cannibals shot the video for Jonny Come Home!
Hi Stephen. I’ve just been searching for the location of zella studio’s after Mark stanway did a on line Q&A last night and mentioned that zella was ‘magnum studios’ for a short time. I’m a big fan of the ‘rock art’ album that you mixed for Magnum (mark said you co-produced it really). Was nice to read your recollections of that time here. Just found your website and couldn’t believe how many other artists on your resume I have in my collection. All the best and thanks for your part in the music I enjoy. Cheers
Hi, I have recently been given a some old vinyl records. One of them is The Sound of Angelo – Forever and Ever. Recorded 1978 at Zella Studios. Angelo was quoted as ‘The Liberace of the Strings’ . It is a 33 1/3 RPM EP with 6 tracks including the Theme from Dr. Zhivago. The sleeve has a message on saying ‘To Annie, Love and best wishes, Angelo. I cant find anything on Angelo at all, If anyone can help that would be great.
It’s been great reading folks recollections of Zella Studios in Harbourne Birmingham.
I was really lucky to have a schools work experience placement there when I was 14 back in 1983/4 hoping to become a tea boy, tape op then maybe even an engineer.
There were a couple of bands I remember there from that time, The Quads and
The Man Upstairs. Johnny Haynes was a lovely man and I remember being impressed by a young engineer who could also play the harpsichord intro to Golden Brown by
The Stranglers and taught Me how to edit on 1/4 inch tape, yes, remember that stuff !!
If it was Steven Harris then thanks Steven. A pivotal moment in My life which spurred Me on to work as I still do now in the music industry, and I still make a bostin cuppa !
The building was a church and I remember you had to be careful which entrance you used; prayers to the left, snares to the right !
Something tells me that Save Your Love My Darling by Rene and Renato and
The Maisonettes cover of Heartache Avenue were recorded there which were both top of The Hit Parade ! I could be wrong on both counts.
Lovely times. Thanks for My start Johnny.
It’s been great reading stories and recollections of Zella Studios.I was really lucky to have a schools work experience placement there when I was 14 back in 1983/4 hoping to become a tea boy, tape op then maybe even an engineer.There were a couple of bands I remember there from that time, The Quads and The Man Upstairs. Johnny Haynes was a lovely man and I remember being impressed by a young engineer who could also play the harpsichord intro to Golden Brown by The Stranglers and taught Me how to edit on 1/4 inch tape, yes, remember that stuff !! If it was Steven Harris then
thanks Steven. A pivotal moment in My life which spurred Me on to work as I still do now in the music industry, and I still make a bostin cuppa ! The building was a church and I remember you had to be careful which entrance you used; prayers to the left, snares to the right !Something tells me that Save Your Love My Darling by Rene and Renato and The Maisonettes cover of Heartache Avenue were recorded there which
were both top of The Hit Parade ! I could be wrong Lovely times.
Thanks for My start Johnny.
Hi I have a 10″ demonstration disc of a band called Dictionary of Soul, it’s a shellac disc so must be very old. I have songs written on the Zella labeled disc:- Fire & Rain, Hey Jude, Wake up Sunshine on one side, other side :-Evil Woman, Be She’s Looking Good. On the record cover is written:-
First Album
Vocals – Big Dave Dauncey
Organ – Holy Southall
Bass – Phil Made
Sax – Dave Lease
Trumpet – Noel Northall
Percussion – Trev Sharples
Would be very grateful for any information on this demonstration disc
Thanks
Julie
Hi Julie as a big fan of the opinions I would love to hear those recordings again, Johnny was known to keep recordings of all the bands recording at zella, Someone like jez Collins could put you in touch. Please let me know if you succeed.
Paul panic
Hi, trying to get hold of a copy of the Poliphony LP that came out on this label.
Anyone know of any copies floating around?
I remember back in the seventies, when my trio was resident at Mecca’s Derby Locarno, recording at Zella with Roger Lawden and his lady, Dee. Roger played Sax in the big band at the Locarno and had written some stuff he wanted to get onto tape. ‘I’m in love again’ and ‘Get together’ we’re the songs we laid down one Sunday.. I’ve no longer got the acetate and I sometimes wonder what happened to Roger and Dee. So, if anyone out there knows it would be nice to catch up after almost 50 years.
hi all,
currently researching birmingham’s musical history and was wondering if anyone could tell me the year that Zella Studios first opened? Also the year it closed its doors?
Thanks in advance!
Johnny Haynes went to St Peter’s teacher training college in Saltley, Birmingham, around 1967at the same time as me. A talented folk group, The Forum, started up there and performed regularly in the College. Johnny produced a brilliant 45 record for them which I still have, marred by a wicked scratch. The performance and production were outstanding. I met one of the three members, still teaching in Warwick, twenty or so years ago, but have no idea where the other two went. Their harmonies were exquisite, deserving of more exposure but I don’t think they did any more after starting teaching. Great Memories
Does anyone have any info about a band called Blue Heaven and their song Keep Me In Your Love? A friend has an acetate of it on Zella and it’s great, got some really good musicians on it. Not sure of year but sounds like late 60s. Any information would be much appreciated!