Chris Blackwell

Small biography

Christopher Percy Gordon, formally known as Chris Blackwell, is an English businessmen and former record producer. He was born on 22nd June 1937 in Westminster, London (today aged 75).

After spending most of his childhood in Jamaica, Blackwell was sent to Britain for further education at Harrow public school on England.


1958 was the year that Blackwell had formed a record label, with a $10,000 investment from his parents. The name for the label was taken from Alec Waugh's novel Island in the sun, there for creating Island records.


Island records became one of the most successful label's of the 1980's with artists such as, Traffic, Grace Jones, U2, Bob Marley, Cat Stevens, King Crimson, Millie Small, The Spencer Davis Group and many more.

Typical thing Blackwell done

Chris Blackwell created his own record label named Island Records.

Blackwell had discovered and produced many acts/artists including Millie Small, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Roxy Music, Robert Palmer, Lake and Palmer, The Spencer Davis Group and many more.

                                      
- Millie Small was only 15 when Blackwell had produced her, with a cover of Barbie Gaye "My boy lollipop". Millie's version became a big hit and sold worldwide.

(Video of My Boy Lollipop) 










Choices he made
At first Blackwell started off with recording and selling Jamaican music in Jamaica, then he had returned to England in 1962 to expand his business further.

Blackwell decided to change the Island Record label to pink to created a different look.
Chris also collaborated with Trojan records for a bigger market in reggae music.






The Spencer Davis Group was found by Blackwell in a small club up in Birmingham after being told to check out the band. They were originally named The Rhythm and Blues Quartette The Group had influenced Blackwell so much that he began to focus on rock acts.

                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

Why he is where he is now
Chris Blackwell has progressed through his career as he took risks that other producers did not, such as changing looks in the labels, signing a variety of artists and had changed music genues such as Jamaican, rock and reggae. For him to take these risks means that he could learn from any mistakes that these changes may bring, although these changes turned out successful and progressed music by introducing new faces, music and opportunities.

About me

Me, Myself and I...

                         My name is Alexandra Chelsea Veitch and I am 16 years of age.

I currently live with my Auntie, 3 cousins and my aunties partner as I recently moved at the end of 2012. Before I moved in with my Auntie, I was living in Clacton-On-Sea with my mum, dad, two brothers and little sister.

My Auntie (on left) and me (on right).
Some say that we look alike?

 Although you can see
the resemblance. My auntie is my role model, she does not know this, she has helped me put me in the right place and let me into her home as my own.

                                                                 



The little boy on the left is ONE of my twin cousins, Lewis. As much as he may press peoples buttons, he has such a big heart for his big cousin (me).

And here is the SECOND twin, Alfie.
My other room mate. Now Alfie, he can
be more of a handful than Lewis but
at the end of the day, Alfie's like a big
teddy bear inside.

Finally this is my THIRD cousin, Andrew. He also lives at home where I am. He is in a band named "Ribcage" (as shown in the picture on the left), he has been like an older brother to look up to. Anyone would be lucky to have a cousin as awesome as him.

 







On the right is my aunties partner, Mark. Although he is not married to my auntie (yet) I still consider him as my Uncle Mark. The one thing i love about Mark is that he makes my auntie happy, that's all that matters. Also he spoils me as his "niece" he doesn't have to but he does.

                                      My Interests                                               

In my spare time i love to draw. I draw a variety of things such as tattoo designs, everyday observational objects and abstract.

 Appearance:                                                          

As you can tell, I like to change my hair style and colour quite often, I like change when it comes to my looks. I have done this since i was 6 years old, and ever since then I continue to explore ways i could change my hair.

Lyric writing:

Lyric writing is another interest of mine. My inspiration comes from everyday life and situations, so my lyrics are like my personal diary. It shows emotion, good and bad, my life challenges, activities and dramas.




  My Goals

In 2012 I had attended Clacton Coastal Academy Secondary school, in which I had received my GCSE's. For me my GCSE's where a goal/achievement as i was very pleased with the outcome. I had gained:

• C in Art
• C in English
• C in Maths
• B in Dance
• B in ICT                                          
• B in Science                                                     
• B in Health and social                    

I am most proud of my dance as i was predicted a C and achieved higher than my standard.

Future goals:

My main goal in the future, is to become either a successful singer or a song writer.
   - To do this i will attend singing lessons on Mondays to boost confidence.
   - Find a performer or band who would be interested in a singer or a song writer (lyrics) to
     perform with them or let them perform my own lyrics.
   - Perform at a gig