Andrew Loog Oldham - Early Career

Early Career

Oldham became a publicist for British and American musicians and for producer Joe Meek. Among his projects were stints publicizing Bob Dylan on his first UK visit and The Beatles for Brian Epstein in early 1963. In April 1963, a journalist friend recommended that he see a young R&B band called The Rolling Stones. Oldham saw potential in the group being positioned as an "anti-Beatles" - a rougher group compared to the "cuddly moptop" image of the Beatles at that time. Oldham, still a teenager, rapidly acquired a seasoned business partner (Eric Easton) and took over management of the Stones who had been informally represented by Giorgio Gomelsky. Oldham had previously been business partners with Peter Meaden, first manager of The Who, but they had fallen out. Oldham signed recording rights to the Stones to Decca targeting A&R head Dick Rowe, who had earlier declined to sign The Beatles.

Among strategies devised and executed by Oldham to propel the group to success:

• retaining ownership of the group's master tapes, which were then leased to Decca - an idea learned from Phil Spector, that allowed greater artistic freedom and financial rewards than a standard recording contract;
• bringing John Lennon and Paul McCartney to the recording studio, which led to their song "I Wanna Be Your Man" becoming the Rolling Stones' second single;
• encouraging Jagger and Richards to start writing their own songs; and
• promoting a "bad boy" image for The Rolling Stones in contrast to The Beatles. Oldham generated widely-reprinted headlines like "Would you let your daughter marry a Rolling Stone?" and provocative album-cover notes such as a satirical incitement to fans to mug a blind beggar for funds to buy the album.

Oldham produced all Rolling Stones recordings from 1963 until late 1967 despite having no previous experience as a producer. According to the Rolling Stones' website "Accounts regarding the value of his musical input to The Stones recordings vary, from negligible to absolute zero". He discovered Marianne Faithfull at a party, giving her Jagger and Richards' "As Tears Go By" to record. He also developed other studio talent with his Andrew Oldham Orchestra, in which Rolling Stones as well as London session players (including Steve Marriott on harmonica) recorded pop covers and instrumentals. These were rediscovered in the 1990s when the indie band The Verve used a string loop based on the orchestral arrangement of "The Last Time" in "Bitter Sweet Symphony"; in the ensuing court battle, songwriting royalties for the Verve track were awarded to Jagger and Richards. As his success increased, Oldham thrived on a reputation as a garrulous, androgynous gangster who wore makeup and shades and relied on his bodyguard "Reg" to threaten rivals.

Oldham sold his share of the Rolling Stones' management to Allen Klein in 1966, but continued in his role as the band's de facto manager and producer until late 1967. Relations with the group were strained by Oldham's drug use and legal problems that the band was facing in 1967. After Oldham's departure, his relationship with the Rolling Stones was strained for several years.

In 1965 Oldham set up Immediate Records, among the first independent labels in the UK. Among the artists that he signed and/or produced or guided were PP Arnold, Chris Farlowe, the Small Faces, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Rod Stewart, the Nice, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, the Amen Corner, the McCoys, the Strangeloves, and Duncan Browne.

With Arthur Greenslade he wrote 'Headlines,' the B-side of 'Ride On Baby' (IM 038), by Chris Farlowe, which was released in 1966.

Oldham also helped Derek Taylor publicise the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album by publishing ads praising the album. He enlisted songwriter Billy Nicholls to record a British response, the album Would You Believe?. After the Small Faces disbanded in 1969, he put together Humble Pie, featuring Steve Marriott (formerly of the Small Faces) and Peter Frampton (formerly of The Herd).

In the 1970s and 1980s, Oldham worked primarily in the USA. He produced Donovan and other artists. In the mid-80s, he made Colombia his primary residence after marrying Esther Farfan, a Colombian model. There he became a mentor for local bands.