“IS this the real life, is this just fantasy?” are probably some of the most famous opening song lyrics in the world, and from a chart-topping single recorded in a small studio in south Wales.
But the studio itself is now set to become centre stage, thanks to £16,100 raised by National Lottery players.
A new project led by local sixth formers is aiming to capture the many and varied musical memories the studio has amassed during its 50 plus years in the business, including hosting Queen as they recorded Bohemian Rhapsody on a piano that’s still in use there today, and even filming the Super Furry Animals as they fired guns outside the studio for use in their track The Undefeated.
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, 13 A-Level students from Monmouth Comprehensive will be contacting bands and musicians from throughout the studio’s history, collecting their stories and memories to become part of a special exhibition called ‘From Stables to Studios: The Story of Rockfield, Monmouth & Music’.
Volunteering after school and on weekends as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate qualification, the students will also be talking to local residents and collecting their memories of bumping into famous faces in the local pub, and encountering more than one or two musical divas around town!
Richard Bellamy, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, says that this project tells a great story: “The Rockfield studio history is fascinating in itself, but this project will go further by exploring its relationship with the local area and how that has impacted on its development.
“In addition the students involved will receive training to help undertake interviews, as well as create and market the exhibition, so they’ll be developing various life skills that will be valuable in later life.”
Joanne Davies, who is helping coordinate the exhibition, explains the background to the project: “Although Rockfield is known as one of the most influential recording studios in the UK, and indeed the world, surprisingly little is currently exhibited locally about this Monmouth gem.
“Although it’s early days, we’re already overwhelmed by some of the funny and intriguing titbits that we’re unearthing including local residents who remember selling shoes to big name rock stars, or playing pool with band members in the local pubs.”
“It’s these kind of stories that we want to dig up and share with others. I would like to encourage anyone with any anecdotes or memories about Rockfield to come forward and let us know how much it rocked you!”
‘From Stables to Studios: The Story of Rockfield, Monmouth & Music’ is due to launch in April. In the meantime, you can find out more about Rockfield yourself by visiting rockfieldmusicgroup.com or about the Heritage Lottery Fund’s work at hlf.org.uk
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