Geoff Goddard

Geoffrey Goddard (19 November 1937 – 15 May 2000)

Goddard was born in Reading, Berkshire, England.^[4] He sang in choir in a local church before going on to study the viola and piano at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Following national service, he sought to move into popular music, and met Meek. He initially attempted to establish himself as a Russ Conway/Liberace styled singer-pianist under the stage-name "Anton Hollywood".^[2] Meek promoted him, but he was unable to achieve success.^[4]

Eventually he released his solo records under his real name. He recorded four singles as solo artist, produced by Meek, on which he sang with his distinctive regional accent:

• "Girl Bride" / "For Eternity" HMV POP 938 October 1961^[5]
• "My Little Girl's Come Home" / "Try Once More" HMV POP 1068 September 1962^[6]
• "Saturday Dance" / "Come Back To Me" HMV POP 1160 May 1963^[7]
• "Sky Men" / "Walk With Me My Angel" HMV POP 1213 October 1963^[1]

The Oxford label CD also featured seven of the above named tracks ("Sky Men" being the exception), plus Goddard's demo of his song, "My Friend Bobby".^[7]

His best known efforts were as a songwriter. The first project he worked on for Meek was the instrumental "Lone Riders" for

Goddard died from a heart attack in May 2000, at the age of 62.[1]^[4] In the 2009 film, Telstar: The Joe Meek Story, Goddard was portrayed by Tom Burke.^[11] A memorial plaque was unveiled in 2013 at Park House on the University of Reading campus by John Leyton, actor and musician.^{[citation needed]}

Releases as songwriter (RGM productions)

• The Flee-Rekkers – "Lone Rider" – Pye 7N35006 A-side (June 1961)^[4]
• Top Rank JAR577 A (July 1961)^[4]
• Mike Berry & The Outlaws – "Tribute to Buddy Holly" – HMV POP 912 A (September 1961)^[4]
• John Leyton – "Wild Wind" – Top Rank JAR585 A (September 1961)[4]
• Gerry Temple – "Seventeen Come Sunday" – HMV POP 939 A (October 1961)^[12]
• John Leyton – "Voodoo Woman" – HMV CLP1497 Album (November 1961)^[13]
• John Leyton – "Oh Lover" – HMV CLP1497 LP (November 1961)^[14]
• John Leyton – "Son This Is She" – HMV POP 956 A (December 1961)^[4]
• Mike Berry & The Outlaws – "Little Boy Blue" – HMV POP 979 B side (January 1962)^[15]
• John Leyton – "Lone Rider" – HMV POP 992 A (March 1962)^[4]
• John Leyton – "Lonely City" – HMV POP 1014 A (April 1962)^[14]
• The Tornados – "Jungle Fever" – Decca F11494 B (August 1962)^[16]
• John Leyton – "Lonely Johnny" – HMV POP 1076 A (October 1962)^[14]
• Kenny Hollywood – "The Wonderful Story of Love" – Decca F11546 B (December 1962)^[17]
• Mike Berry & The Outlaws – "Don't You Think It's Time" – HMV POP 1105 A (December 1962)^[15]
• The Outlaws – "Texan Spiritual" – HMV POP 1124 B (February 1963)^[18]
• Toby Ventura – "If My Heart Were A Storybook" – Decca F11581 A (February 1963)^[19]
• Mike Berry & The Outlaws – "My Little Baby" – HMV POP 1142 A (March 1963)^[15]
• Freddie Starr & The Midnighters – "Who Told You" – Decca F11663 A (May 1963)
• Heinz – "Just Like Eddie" – Decca F11693 A (July 1963)^[4]
• John Leyton – "On Lover's Hill" – HMV POP 1204 LP (September 1963)[14]
• Screaming Lord Sutch – "Monster in Black Tights" – Decca F11747 B (September 1963)^[20]
• Pamela Blue – "My Friend Bobby" – Decca F11761 A (October 1963)^[21]
• Heinz – "Country Boy" – Decca F11768 A (November 1963)^[22]
• The Ramblers – "Dodge City" – Decca F11775 A (November 1963)
• Heinz – "You Were There" – Decca F11831 A (February 1964)^[23]
• Heinz – "Hush-A-Bye" – Decca LK4599 LP (March 1964)^[24]
• Cliff Richard – "My Head Goes Round" - EMI Columbia SCX6435 LP Tracks 'n Grooves (November 1970)^[4]

References

External links

• Tribute on myspace
• Fan site
• Geoff Goddard discography at Discogs