Free Talk: Lee Scratch Perry - Burning down the Ark 29.11.08

[Mikus]

Hope this is of interest! peace...

Lee Scratch Perry; burning down the Ark
with HENK TARGOWSKI
Saturday 29th November - 5pm


Lee ScratchPerry is one of modern music's undisputed legends; his groundbreaking production techniques proving hugely influential to this day. However, his visionary talents came at a price; by 1979 the pressure of the Jamaican music industry and the excesses of his lifestyle caught up with him, leading Perry to a mental breakdown that damaged both his personal and musical life. Perry's studio, the Black Ark, fell into disrepair, and it looked as if Perry would never work again.

In April 1979, Perry received a visit from Henk Targowski, an impresario and owner of Black Star Liner distribution, a record company based out of Holland. Targowski wanted to distribute Perry's material, but was not prepared for the madness he would encounter at the Black Ark - reels of master tapes lay strewn on the floor, and the recording equipment was next to useless due to water damage from a leaky roof. The once proud studio was now little more than a junkyard.

Along with some associates, Targowski decided to attempt a salvage operation, trying to refurbish and restore the studio to working order. Financed by Black Star Liner, construction work progressed throughout 1980, and new equipment was ordered and installed. Along with a motley crew of European studio musicians, Scratch erratically recorded what would eventually become the Return Of Pipecock Jacxson album; the last album to be recorded at the Ark.

By the spring of 1980, however, the restoration project was abandoned, and Black Star Liner's crew left Jamaica for good. What had been painstakingly rebuilt in the past year was dismantled and destroyed by Perry. Worse was to come: one morning in 1983, the Black Ark burned down. Fire raged through the concrete structure, the temperature inside becoming so intense that it eventually blew the roof off. The studio, the source of some of the most powerful music ever recorded, lay in ruins.

"The Black Ark was too black and too dread," Perry explains. "Even though I am black, I have to burn it down, to save my brain. It was too black. It want to eat me up!"

We are delighted to welcome Henk Targowski to Housmans to recount his memories of Lee Perry, and discuss all aspects of this seminal producer’s work. Henk is also the publisher of the now ultra-rare fanzine The Upsetter, copies of which will hopefully be available on the day.


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[Ron]

We are delighted to welcome Henk Targowski to Housmans to recount his memories of Lee Perry, and discuss all aspects of this seminal producer’s work. Henk is also the publisher of the now ultra-rare fanzine The Upsetter, copies of which will hopefully be available on the day.

As far as I know, Henk died some 6 (?) years ago. He used to travel between London and Amsterdam. Every time he was in Amsterdam, he would bring some records to sell. I've bought numerous albums of him. It was always a pleasure to meet him and talk about the 'good old days', so to speak.
Great memories!

[ACEtone]

This is a mighty strange post!

[Jonti]

An impostor, then?

[Visitor]

An impostor, then?

You got it all wrong. This guy isn't Henk Targowski. This guy is just advertising a book that is written by Henk Targowski.