Howard went to meet Jack Baverstock of Fontana records looking for experience as a producer and Jack said to him “Try and do something with this lot”. He played Howard a track this band had made previously which was a flop. The name of the band was Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.
Howard took up the challenge and went into Fontana’s own studios below their offices near Marble Arch in central London. They had a good session and produced a song composed by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley entitled YOU MAKE IT MOVE which was released in 1965 and reached #26 on the UK charts.
Then one day after the song became the band’s first hit, Howard went into Fontana’s offices to meet with Jack Baverstock and the band and Howard said, “When do we go into the studio to make the follow-up?”.
There was a strange silence in the room and then Jack Baverstock said, “we have already made it”. Howard was shocked. They didn’t even credit Howard on the record You Make It Move. Apparently, an American producer by the name of Steve Rowland had been given the job of producing the band and Howard was dumped. Just like that.
Howard agrees that Steve Rowland was a far more experienced producer than him but handling the situation as they did was so unkind and ruthless. The band went on to have numerous hits and deservedly so says, Howard.
Here are some of their biggest hits: The Legend of Xanadu, Hold Tight, Bend It, Zabadak and as they started fadeout in their chart presence a most fitting title was Snake in the Grass.
Life Stories Videos
- Howard Conder life stories starting from Birth
- Howard Conder School Days
- How Howard Conder got involved in music
- Howard Conder Vs Barron Knights – 1963
- Howard Conder heads for the bright lights of London meeting Rod Stewart and Joe Meek
- Joe Brown, surely this is a miracle?
- Howard Conder becomes more interested in producing records than playing the drums
- How did Howard Conder get to work for NEMS the Beatles management company?
- Reflections of Charles Brown – by Howard Conder
- Howard Conder’s first marriage fails
- Howard does business with Decca Records for the Moody Blues Recordings
- 1975 – The next big event in the lives of Howard Conder and his first wife Annette
- How Howard Conder Met Johnny Nash and Bob Marley
- Howard Conder’s first London meeting with David Bowie and other musical Legends at GiaConda
- A New Life for Howard and Lesley, a new start living in America.
- Howard Conder called to Romania 1989 after the death of Nicolae Ceaușescu
- After Romania, The Conder family return to the UK having lived and worked in America
- The Conders are finally approved to adopt baby Rebecca.
- Howard Conder Goes to Prison!
- The Conders attend Cornerstone Church in Esher
- From Tragedy to Triumph: Howard Conder’s Journey of Divine Intervention and Hope
- Faith, Fate, and Foster Care: The Conder’s Extraordinary Journey
- First showing of some of the Life Stories Romania segments on Late Show with Howard & Lesley Conder
