Viv Broughton
Viv Broughton | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Music entrepreneur and writer |
| Known for | Owner and CEO ofThe Premises Studios |
| Notable work | Too Close to Heaven: The Illustrated History of Gospel Music(1996) |
Viv Broughtonis a British studio owner, music entrepreneur and writer, who is CEO ofThe Premises Studios,described byLondon Jazz Newsas "a vitally important and popular London recording and rehearsal venue".[1]A one-time early member of rock groupThe Pretty Things,Broughton went on to help launchThe Voicenewspaper in 1982, as well as being a gospel historian, author of theChannel 4bookToo Close to Heaven: The Illustrated History of Gospel Music(1996).
Background
[edit]Broughton had an early career as a musician in the 1960s, under the name Viv Andrews, playing withDavid Bowie[2]and with rock groupThe Pretty Thingsas a drummer.[3][4]
In 1982, he helped launchThe Voice,[5]a weekly newspaper aimed at theBritish African-Caribbean community,being brought in as marketing manager by founderVal McCalla,and from April 1983 Broughton wrote a column in the newspaper called "Soul Stirrings", which featured many up-and-coming artists.[6]He was also a mentor and manager to groups and singers includingMica Paris,[7][8]who has said: "Viv Broughton has done a lot for gospel music, and there has been a total lack of recognition for his incredible contribution to pushing and contributing to its growth."[9]
As agospel musichistorian, Broughton is the author of the booksBlack Gospel: Illustrated History of the Gospel Sound(1985) andToo Close to Heaven: The Illustrated History of Gospel Music(1996), which tied in with aChannel 4television series.[10]According toTony CummingsofCross Rhythmsmagazine, he "brings real overview to a story populated with hundreds of major figures and as a starting off point in exploring the absorbing history of possibly THE most important musical stories of the 20th century it's unlikely there'll be a better book than this....Britain's Viv Broughton is to be congratulated for coming up with a vivid history of a music in a work that no American writer has come close to equalling."[11]
Since 1996, Broughton has been owner and chief executive ofThe Premises StudiosnearHaggerston,inHackney,London, transforming it into a musical institution that is much sought after by high-profile artistes for rehearsal space and recording, with innovative ventures including the installation of solar panels and the opening of a café.[12][13]In addition, he launched The Premises Music Education Programme, partnering with other not-for-profit organisations to provide workshops and courses.[14]Broughton once characterised The Premises as "…between a hotel and a crèche for noisy overgrown children".[15]
Broughton is a trustee of jazz music education and artist development organisationTomorrow's Warriors.[16]
Bibliography
[edit]- Black Gospel: An Illustrated History of the Gospel Sound,Blandford Press, 1985,ISBN978-0713715408.
- Too Close to Heaven: The Illustrated History of Gospel Music(A Channel Four Book), Midnight Books, 1996,ISBN978-1900516006.
References
[edit]- ^"RIP Julia Craik (Managing Director of The Premises Studios, Hackney)".London Jazz News.21 April 2020.Retrieved1 December2020.
- ^"Ep04 Viv Broughton, CEO The Premises Studios".Listen Notes.4 July 2019.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^"The Pretty Things / Philippe de Barge acetate 1968".Willy-rock.blogspot.co.uk.27 September 2009.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^Simpson, W.: "Heaven in Hackney", pp. 24–25.Musician Magazine,2008.
- ^Muir, Hugh (29 September 2003)."Who will revive the Voice?".The Guardian.
- ^Smith, Steve Alexander (2009). "Viv Broughton".British Black Gospel: The Foundations of this Vibrant UK Sound.Monarch Books. pp. 78–79.
- ^Sauvebois, Marion (2 July 2015)."Mica Paris out to prove love conquers injustice".Swindon Advertiser.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^Freyne, Patrick (8 June 2019)."Mica Paris: 'Bankruptcy just means you made too much money'".Irish Times.
- ^Fletcher, Juliet (3 December 2020)."Mica's journey from Gospel to Gospel".Keep the Faith Magazine.No. 129.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^Viv Broughton,at Amazon.
- ^Cummings, Tony (1 October 1996)."Viv Broughton - Too Close To Heaven: The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music".Cross Rhythms.No. 35.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^"The Premises recording studio celebrates 25 years".Hackney Citizen.9 October 2010.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^Adams, Steven (3 October 2008)."Rockin' in the office".The Guardian.
- ^Sutherland, Steve (13 October 2023)."The Premises Studios".Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^Boeglin, Claudine (4 July 2019)."Indie Series: Premises Studios, between hell and heaven".Dandy Vagabonds.Retrieved4 February2024.
- ^"Trustees and Committee Members".Tomorrow's Warriors.Retrieved5 February2024.
External links
[edit]- "How to Spark Success - Episode 7 - Viv Broughton",YouTube,15 June 2020.