The record was named after the Telstar communications satellite, which was launched into orbit on 10 July 1962. It was written and produced by Joe Meek, and featured a clavioline, a keyboard instrument with a distinctive electronic sound. It was recorded in Meek’s studio in a small flat above a shop in Holloway Road, North London. “Telstar” won an Ivor Novello Award and is estimated to have sold at least five million copies worldwide.
Plagiarism claim
A French composer, Jean Ledrut, accused Joe Meek of plagiarism, claiming that the tune of “Telstar” had been copied from “La Marche d’Austerlitz”, a piece from a score that Ledrut had written for the 1960 film Austerlitz. This led to a lawsuit that prevented Meek from receiving royalties from the record during his lifetime, and the issue was not resolved in Meek’s favour until three weeks after his suicide in 1967. Austerlitz was not released in the UK until 1965, and Meek was unaware of the film when the lawsuit was filed in March 1963.
Meek produced later in 1962 a vocal version of “Telstar” entitled “Magic Star”, sung by Kenny Hollywood. It was released as a single by Decca Records (cat. nr F11546), with on the B-side “The Wonderful Story of Love”, written by Geoff Goddard.
“Magic Star” was covered by Margie Singleton, released by Mercury Records (cat. nr 72079) in January 1963, backed with “Only Your Shadow Knows”.
Piero Umiliani made a Moog version in 1975 under the name: L’ingegner Giovanni e famiglia (Engineer Giovanni And His Family)
Two Spanish vocal versions were released by Alberto Cortez and the Latin Quartet, titled “Magica Estrella.”
With French lyrics by Jacques Plante, the song was released by Les Compagnons de la chanson under the title “Telstar – Une étoile en plein jour” (a star in broad daylight).
Luxembourg-born German language singer Camillo Felgen recorded the German vocal version as “Telstar (Irgendwann Erwacht Ein Neuer Tag)” with lyrics by Carl Ulrich Blecher in 1963.
My favorite version but probably just a cousin. Theme from “The High Chaparral” Music by David Rose. I couldn’t find any direct relationship to “Telstar” but they are pretty similar.
so much for asking nagelsmann for opposition instructions after goals. yeah, let’s let kimmich score again … and again.
nice comeback and great second half by the lads. courtois just wouldn’t allow anything to go past him.
good job evilo, thanks Z.
This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by james.
