Sheriff
Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in 1999, to coincide with
the cinematic release of Bondles drummer Pierce Brosnan's third solo
film project,
The World is Not Enough. Even before it's official release the album had
broken records notching up a staggering 17 billion
dollars in pre-sales alone.
In making the
landmark disc, the Fab Double-Oh Four had spent two years locked away in the 007
sound stage at the famed Kings Road studio's, engaged in hectic recording
sessions which would start at around ten in the morning and often not finish
'til the early hours of the afternoon, the boys only stopping for elevenses,
lunch and afternoon tea.
Bondles
producer, Jorge Martinez, who had been with the group since their first album,
Cleese Pleases Me (1962), was constantly on hand during these marathon
sessions, lending his own unique touch to each track by way of literally
thousands of experimental sonic innovations that would add so much to the
incredible success of the album by being left out of the final mix altogether.
"Jorge was always
trying new things to f&%$ us up" band leader Sean Connery had told
The Even Newer, New Melody Maker in October of 1999. "He had our original
drummer, George, so convinced we weren't anywhere near as popular as Jesus
Christ that George refused to sign a new contract and left to form his own band.
I tell you, if Jorge hadn't been Cubby Broccoli's wife's sister's housekeeper's
part-time gardener, we'd have given him the old golden bullet years ago, know
what I mean?"
Despite myriad
production problems, Roger, Sean, Pierce and Tim, The Bondles, produced
the finest work of their careers and the most successful album in the
history of recorded music. I invite all visitors to, "...sit back and let the
evening go..." as we take a trip down Moneypenny Lane and enjoy this
celebration of Sheriff Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A splendid time is
guaranteed for all! (the most splendid time will be had by those
who know the lore of a little-known Bondles tribute band who have
achieved minor success on the club circuit, The Beatles).
Weal Barrow
(press secretary for The Bondles,
1962-1999)
