User:Dick O'Dell

Dick O'Dell

Manager & label owner in the Music Industry

O'Dell started in music as a Lighting Technician & later Lighting Designer for Curved Air & then Deep Purple amongst others. He toured with Depp Purple globally. He worked in Lighting at the Rainbow Theatre from its reopening in Nov 1971 with 3 sold out shows by the Who, for several years. Whilst there he participated in Production Rehearsals for David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust tour & for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon worldwide touring. He spent several years as Lighting & Production Designer & later Tour Manager for The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. He was Tour Manager for The Stranglers Rattus Norvegicus UK & European tour in 1977. In 1978 he commenced managing The Pop Group. In 1979 he added The Slits to his roster. In 1980 he formed the Independent Label Y Records, with partner Linda Jenks, & went on to release records by The Pop Group, The Slits, Pigbag, Maximum Joy, Shriekback, Sun Ra & many others. Pigbag had a UK No 2 hit with their single "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag" In the 1980s he went on to manage Torch Song & William Orbit. He developed Orbit as an artist with Bassomatic who had a No 4 UK hit with the single "Fascinating Rhythm", & as a remixer, culminating in remixes for Prince & most notably, Madonna's "Justify My Love". As a result of the latter, Orbit went on to co-produce her "Ray Of Light" album. In early 90s, O'Dell & Orbit formed the independent dance label, Guerilla Records. They won DMC Album of the Year with their first compilation, "Dub House Disco" In the late 90s/early 2000s he managed Ed Harcourt, whose "Here Be Monsters" album was Mercury Music Prize nominated. He managed Natasha Khan/Bat for Lashes for 10 years & thru 2 Mercury Music Prize nominated/ multiple Brit Award nominated albums "Fur & Gold" & "Two Suns". She won an Ivor Novello Award for her hit song "Daniel" He ran Mute Management for Daniel Miller's Mute Group signing Algiers & working with Liars & Beth Jeans Houghton amongst others. He retired in 2016 & currently broadcasting a monthly show "Dick O'Dell's Adventures In Music" on Portobello Radio & is writing an autobiography.