Full Range Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 This is a great story that I happened to come across Seasons In The Sun / Original Found after 40 Years Video is on this link - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16518027 Snip from the story Quote Alan Ludley recorded one of the world's most famous pop songs, Seasons in the Sun, years before it topped the charts.He was the singer in Middlesbrough band Rivers Invitation, who were signed to Polydor, and were being groomed for stardom. Tragically Alan was killed in a car crash in 1970 just before the record was due to be released. Canadian Terry Jacks went on to have a huge hit with the song in 1973. It went on to sell 10m copies and became one of the 30 biggest hits of all time. For years Alan Ludley's son, Adrian, has been on a quest to find the original recording of his father's song. Now the lost song has been rediscovered lying in a storage box after 40 years. John Foster from BBC Tees plays family and band members the lost recording in an emotional reunion. FR
Ken Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 (edited) FR, When I first noticed your post on Sunday I had no idea why I looked at it because I utterly detest this song. But I followed the link and was absolutley astounded that it was about Alan Ludley, because I knew him. I was about 13 or so and was in with a bunch of teenagers, one of which was Alan's younger sister. I have been in that house many times and heard Alan, Tom, John McCoy and Alan Fearnley play. My most vivid memory was being in the house one day and there was a younger guy jamming with them, he was outstanding, he later had a number of hit records and albums, he was Chris Rea. Chris lived about 5 minutes from Alan. I had no idea that Alan was to sing that song, I did not even know that he was killed in 1970. Thanks for the post, 'thanks for the memories'. Ken Edited January 17, 2012 by Ken
Guest Muon Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Interesting, i never knew.....and I love that song
LuzArt Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Ken that is a remarkable anecdote. Thanks for sharing and thanks to the OP.
Milo Posted January 17, 2012 Posted January 17, 2012 Ken said: FR,When I first noticed your post on Sunday I had no idea why I looked at it because I utterly detest this song. But I followed the link and was absolutley astounded that it was about Alan Ludley, because I knew him. I was about 13 or so and was in with a bunch of teenagers, one of which was Alan's younger sister. I have been in that house many times and heard Alan, Tom, John McCoy and Alan Fearnley play. My most vivid memory was being in the house one day and there was a younger guy jamming with them, he was outstanding, he later had a number of hit records and albums, he was Chris Rea. Chris lived about 5 minutes from Alan. I had no idea that Alan was to sing that song, I did not even know that he was killed in 1970. Thanks for the post, 'thanks for the memories'. Ken Incredible!! What a small world it is we live in sometimes. How startling for you Ken. M.
wolster Posted January 18, 2012 Posted January 18, 2012 That's SNA. Linking music with memories. Great story!
Full Range Posted January 18, 2012 Author Posted January 18, 2012 Its also a great story of a son finding his father again Thanks also to Ken for the memory I wonder if you should contact Adrian Ludley to give him a fuller picture of the times FR
Grumpy Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 Wow what a great read, thanks Full Range and Ken. Loved TJ's version which I think came out about the time I met the missus.and I'm also a big fan of Chris Rea's work
Full Range Posted January 19, 2012 Author Posted January 19, 2012 Grumpy said: Wow what a great read, thanks Full Range and Ken. Loved TJ's version which I think came out about the time I met the missus.and I'm also a big fan of Chris Rea's work For the record I think that Terry Jacks did a great job of the song This is a snip I found on the net of the history of Seasons in the Sun Quote Seasons in the Sun" was a worldwide hit song for Terry Jacks in 1974. It was first released in the United States and Canada early in the year, and rose to number one in America by March 2. An earlier recording appeared on The Kingston Trio's 1963 album, Time to Think. The song had also been done by English band The Fortunes in 1968, and by Pearls Before Swine in 1970/71.The song was based on "Le Moribond" ("The Dying Man"), written by Jacques Brel in 1961. Brel's song was translated into English by poet Rod McKuen and this version was first recorded by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, but it did not sell. The Beach Boys also recorded the song but it was never released. Terry Jacks, who had participated in the Beach Boys recording, and who had in fact introduced the song to the group, rewrote part of the lyrics to "lighten them up." Jacks' revisions tended to add a bit of ambiguity as to the nature of the storyteller's demise, allowing listeners the option to choose whether the death is from suicide over a failed life - quite possibly to escape drug addiction - or someone accepting death from natural causes, or cancer. References to a cheating wife were also removed. FR
Saxon Hall Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 I have always liked that song. I never found it overly maudlin however I know a few people who find it a bit depressing. Each to their own.
Ralph Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Sad song, but the kid's version is hilarious: We had joy, we had fun, picking greenies in the sun. But the sun was too hot, and the greenies turned to snot. RalphH
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