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Rick rolls in to send Nick rocking

Rock legend Rick Wakeman’s visit to Great Yarmouth College was music to the ears of TMS art director Nick Marshall, the man who worked on some of his album sleeves in the Seventies.

Nick hadn’t seen Rick for around 35 years but grabbed the opportunity to reminisce about A&M Records.

“He used to pop into the London offices of A&M Records to see the progress of album sleeves and we might end up in the pub round the corner,” said Nick.

“As head designer at A&M, I worked with the art director and an assistant on the sleeves and liner notes of what were then 12” vinyl albums. We also designed Ads and promotional items for Rick’s albums.”

Nick was involved in four of Rick’s albums sleeves: The Six Wives of Henry V111, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, the Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and No Earthly Connection.

“They were great days and performers like George Harrison, Sting and Jools Holland dropped in to see us at the office where I spent around nine years from 1970. It was great to revive those memories with Rick,” said Nick.

“As well as working for him, I was a great fan and particularly remember going to the 1975 Wembley concert.

“I shall never forget those days and particularly the album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII. It’s one of my favourites.”