Music and motor racing

Rush's Red Barchetta makes me think of historic sports car racing:

...
My uncle preserved for me
An old machine
For fifty-odd years
To keep it as new
Has been his dearest dream

I strip away the old debris
That hides a shining car
A brilliant Red Barchetta
From a better vanished time
We’ll fire up the willing engine
Responding with a roar
Tires spitting gravel
I commit my weekly crime

Wind – in my hair –
Shifting and drifting
Mechanical music
Adrenaline surge...

There are many music videos which feature clips from motorsport. What mistakes have been made along the years?

I was pondering this after watching the video "Kickstart my heart" by Motley Crue, which has clips from various events such as stock cars, drag racing and powerboat racing. In one clip, a yellow stock car (probably 1960s) has a fairly major accident on what looks like a superspeedway. Nothing unusual in this, but the cars were going clockwise around the oval. Closer investigation (it's my wife's DVD, honest....) showed that the number on the yellow stock car was 21, but it was back to front, i.e. the entire segment of film had been recorded back to front, and it hadn't been noticed. Anyone else know of any other faux pas?

In Robbie Williams' "Supreme" the singer himself is shown sitting in a Lotus 49C (in the close shots) while the racing footage depicts Lotus 72 in Gold Leaf and, if i'm not very mistaken, also JPS livery.
It seems to me that some others minor flaws occurs during the video...but I can't remember well...Anyway I think it's a good work, capturing the "flamboyant" spirit of that era!

There are two mirrored views in Supreme clip:

http://f1archive.nar...e00min56sec.jpg

http://f1archive.nar...e03min57sec.jpg

(Follow the link on narod.ru pages)

Chapman is wawing to winner Fittipaldi in JPS Lotus. But I can't recognize circuit.

Not a music video as such, but anyone remember the multiple credit movies in Gran Turismo 2? You had to complete a couple of things to get access to them. Anyway, the main title movie was set to music, and showed quite a few old racing clips interspersed with animation of the game cars. The "bonus" films just showed two different five minute segments of various old racing films set to songs. There are several short clips that are obviously reversed-all the racing numbers are backwards!
-William

Canadian singer/songwriter (?) Jacques Villeneuve is currently racing in Formula 1. Once he even was a WDC!

Can somebody point me towards the other 'music & racing' thread(s?) in order that I can merge them?

I've recently discovered two French songs mentioning racing:


Si tu savais, Nelson Piquet (by Claude Barzotti)

It's the story of a guy who can't score because the girl he's trying to get is obsessed with the Brazilan

Renault Sport Disco (by Richard Lord)

This is a song about Renault's win at Le Mans in 1978. The guy also later wrote a song about his Renault Fuego. You just can't invent that kind of stuff!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FLB
[B]I've recently discovered two French songs mentioning racing:


Si tu savais, Nelson Piquet (by Claude Barzotti)

It's the story of a guy who can't score because the girl he's trying to get is obsessed with the Brazilan

Does the Brazilan play Soccer [Football] ???????

Can we safely assume that F1 is music to the ears for some fans??

Can we safely assume that F1 is music to the ears for some fans??

Na... They all sound the same anyway.

Edward

George Harrison was a great friend of the Hill family and it is believed by many that he funded Damon's F3 season in '86 when his Ralt ran without sponsorship in a livery of white with 'dayglo' orange flashes. He also apparantly taught him a few guitar licks!

Originally posted by Twin Window
Can somebody point me towards the other 'music & racing' thread(s?) in order that I can merge them?

Try here.

Originally posted by Henri Greuter
Don't know if he did something with racing in his music too but Leo Sayer was found in F1 paddocks too: being a friend of a certain B. Ecclestone helped.

Leo is one of the few people who sees things eye to eye with Bernie.

Gene Simmons (KISS) is in charge of marketing for the IRL I believe and Shane Lynch (ex-Boyzone?) raced British GTs for a while. No idea if he's still doing it. I seem to remember he was quite handy.

Originally posted by Twin Window
Can somebody point me towards the other 'music & racing' thread(s?) in order that I can merge them?

A couple more:

Racing Rockers & Musicians (merged)

Motor sport team support by rock groups

In the early 1960's there was a Detroit disc jockey (CKLW, 800AM) named Terry Knight (real name Knapp) who formed a band called Terry Knight and the Pack which scored a few regional hit singles. This group would evolve into the critically ridiculed but very successful Grand Funk Railroad, with Knight in the backround as its manager and producer. After making millions, they eventually got into money/legal issues which were resolved with Knight walking away with the money and royalty agreements and the band members keeping the name. He was also the manager and producer of the band Bloodrock, among his other showbiz involvements.

After separating from Grand Funk Railroad, Knight took his millions and moved to the Northeast where, among other things, he apparently became associated with Paul Newman and took up race driving in Datsuns. (Mid to late '70s.) He was reportedly a close neighbor of Newman and also involved with him in some racing business projects or other. He then seems to have wandered into drug abuse and other lifestyle problems, contracted diabetes, and eventually disappeared from view. A few years ago in Texas he was murdered by the crystal meth-addicted boyfriend of his 16-year old daughter, shielding her from a vicious knife attack.

Sad tale of a not always likable but always interesting person. Can anyone shed more light on Terry Knight's racing involvements?

During the mid-70s Brands Hatch (and IIRC some of its sister circuits) would host celebrity races for different categories of the rich and/or famous (and/or infamous). As has been documented in other threads, I recall the races for DJs featuring characters like Noel Edmonds, Dave Lee Travis, Tony Blackburn and others and then there were contestants for pop stars (who at that time had no doubt brought their national organs with them). I recall the drummer Cozy Powell used to feature strongly in these but at this point forget most of the other individuals, who were generally not top names. But am I right in thinking that the lovely Suzi Quatro also participated? Or is this just wishful dreaming?

A decade earlier, but before my time, Radio London became heavily involved with the sport and encouraged large numbers of young folk to turn up at the race meetings they sponsored. Did this bring other musicians into the actual races at these events?

One more item to add to this thread - Viktor Smolsky, a guitarist of the German 'Rage' band and a one-time member of Russian heavy metal legend 'Kipelov'. More info here.

The appropriate threads are now merged.

Many thanks to those who supplied the relevant links.

Originally posted by kevthedrummer
Gene Simmons (KISS) is in charge of marketing for the IRL I believe and Shane Lynch (ex-Boyzone?) raced British GTs for a while. No idea if he's still doing it. I seem to remember he was quite handy.

Lynch started off with everyone thinking he was one of those 'more money than talent' celeb racers, but he in fact became a very good driver - certainly would not have been out of his depth in FIA GT. He got religion a couple of years ago, though, and packed in racing completely!

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
George Harrison was a great friend of the Hill family and it is believed by many that he funded Damon's F3 season in '86 when his Ralt ran without sponsorship in a livery of white with 'dayglo' orange flashes. He also apparantly taught him a few guitar licks!

Never knew that Andrew, v interesting. Any significance in the dayglo orange flashes ?

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
George Harrison was a great friend of the Hill family and it is believed by many that he funded Damon's F3 season in '86 when his Ralt ran without sponsorship in a livery of white with 'dayglo' orange flashes. He also apparantly taught him a few guitar licks!

Didn't the Quiet One also finance Steve Parrish at some point?

Originally posted by lofong
During the mid-70s Brands Hatch (and IIRC some of its sister circuits) would host celebrity races for different categories of the rich and/or famous (and/or infamous). As has been documented in other threads, I recall the races for DJs featuring characters like Noel Edmonds, Dave Lee Travis, Tony Blackburn and others and then there were contestants for pop stars (who at that time had no doubt brought their national organs with them). I recall the drummer Cozy Powell used to feature strongly in these but at this point forget most of the other individuals, who were generally not top names. But am I right in thinking that the lovely Suzi Quatro also participated? Or is this just wishful dreaming?

A decade earlier, but before my time, Radio London became heavily involved with the sport and encouraged large numbers of young folk to turn up at the race meetings they sponsored. Did this bring other musicians into the actual races at these events?

I don't know if anybody else has mentioned this, cos I haven't got time to trawl back through the whole thread, but there was a DVD of Emerson Lake & Palmer came out recently on which one of the bonus features is a film of them racing in in one of these celebrity races at Brands in 1973.

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


Never knew that Andrew, v interesting. Any significance in the dayglo orange flashes ?

Did you never see all those Hare Krishna guys on Oxford Street?

Too young Vitesse I'm afraid !! lofongs post above reminds me, again, of the May 75 Radio 1 Funday at Mallory - what a day that was...

Anyone remember a 1/2 hr TV programme following Status Quo over the weekend at the Monaco GP with the Toleman team '81 or '82 ?

Originally posted by Mallory Dan
lofongs post above reminds me, again, of the May 75 Radio 1 Funday at Mallory - what a day that was...

Dan, I suspect you can clear up something that has puzzled me since I read John Peel's biography Margrave of the Marshes. In it he describes a memorable Radio 1 Race Day at Mallory where proceedings were disrupted when hundreds of teenage girls swam the lake trying to get at the Bay City Rollers. He dates this as July 1978, but surely the Rollers were history by then. In May 1975 they would have been at the height of their fame, so this sounds the more likely date. Can you confirm?

Note to self: in future do a Search BB before posting your question.

The posts by Dan and Twinny in this thread definitely point to 1975, not 1978.

Without wanting to go all topical - anyone heard Mr Villeneuve's musical efforts?

And if so: Embarassing vanity project in the vein of Dogstar or sign of a certain hidden talent?

(haven't heard it myself)

Originally posted by Haddock
Without wanting to go all topical - anyone heard Mr Villeneuve's musical efforts?

And if so: Embarassing vanity project in the vein of Dogstar or sign of a certain hidden talent?

(haven't heard it myself)

Linky

A bit dire ....

Originally posted by Haddock

Without wanting to go all topical - anyone heard Mr Villeneuve's musical efforts?

You might not have wanted to, but that most certainly is rather *current*!

And of absolutely zero interest; but that's just my opinion.

Originally posted by Tim Murray
Note to self: in future do a Search BB before posting your question.

The posts by Dan and Twinny in this thread definitely point to 1975, not 1978.

Tim, definitely 75. Rollers were finished by 78, weren't 1 or 2 of them in jail for 'nasty things' by 78? There were Radio1 Roadshow days in 77 and 78 too, but more restrained than 75. The latter year ad a Darts concert, which I nearly went to see, the attractions of being in Kim Mather's pit won out though !

Thanks Dan. When he wrote the relevant bit of his book, John Peel had the programme for the 1978 day in front of him, and obviously mistakenly thought that the events involving the Rollers happened then, but as you say, they were well past their sell-by date by then (thank heaven!).

Lord Ravenscroft of Heswall's memory was never a strong point, there's several tales in Simon Garfield's The Nation's Favourite of Peel mis-remembering bits of his past.

Still, Margrave of the Marshes is a wonderfully funny book and the only pity is that the man himself wasn't around to finish it

Originally posted by petefenelon
Still, Margrave of the Marshes is a wonderfully funny book and the only pity is that the man himself wasn't around to finish it

Absolutely agree.

Originally posted by petefenelon
Lord Ravenscroft of Heswall's memory was never a strong point, there's several tales in Simon Garfield's The Nation's Favourite of Peel mis-remembering bits of his past.

Still, Margrave of the Marshes is a wonderfully funny book and the only pity is that the man himself wasn't around to finish it

I don't think I'm ever going to be able to bring myself to read it. Too emotional for me, too many memories, too much sorrow.

Originally posted by ian senior


I don't think I'm ever going to be able to bring myself to read it. Too emotional for me, too many memories, too much sorrow.

It brought more than the odd lump to my throat but it's such a charming and human book that you can't help but speed through it. As I was reading it I had John's voice in my head -- complete with all those odd little pauses and random changes in emphasis.

Sheila's part of the book contains a lot of John too, and is probably slightly more reliable ;)

I'm off to Peru next month. Chance to pay my respects. The Festive Fifties for 1986-8 are loaded in my Creative Zen. Must read book before then.

How about The Cult's 'She Sells Sanctuary'?.
The opening bars never fail to add 10mph to the speedo if it comes on the radio when I'm at the wheel...
For further proof, have a look at this bit of fun I set to the very same track:

Originally posted by Ralliart
Pete King was, indeed, the late Ronnie Scott's partner in the (3) nightclubs. Didn't know he raced.

OK, I know this thread is a few years old, but I only just got here!
There is another Pete King/racing music connection:
He issued a CD called "Tamburello" which was in effect a tribute to Ayrton Senna.
The CD was issued (and is still available) on Miles Music (www.milesmusic.co.uk) which was founded by John Miles, former Lotus GP driver and all-around good bloke.
John was a close personal friend of Senna, having been very close to Team Lotus even after he quit driving, and was so deeply moved by his death that he worked with King to create the music as a tribute.
I had the good fortune to be working with John at the time at Lotus Engineering (1994/1995) and found him to be an extraordinary individual - a true Rennaissance man with very diverse talents and interests. He also MIGHT know the real truth of the last days of ACBC - but he will never tell!

From this month's Motor Sport, Jackie Oliver once had Lulu from Legs & Co as a significant other. Lucky sod.

I saw this in Tony Dodgin's Monza column:

To celebrate Stewart's 70th birthday earlier this year, sons Mark and Paul had made a piece of music and put together a montage of photos showing significant moments in their father's life – both family and sporting. It wasn't just any piece of music. Paul was taught to play the guitar by none other than George Harrison and the ‘back-up' guitarist on ‘Fly Free' just happened to be one Eric Clapton. Jackie shared it with us and revealed that he likes it so much that it will be released next month with all proceeds going to a charity he will nominate at the time.

I actually took the soundtrack off the Nine Days in Summer dvd and edited it into .wav files so I can listen to the magnificent score by Jeff Wayne. Too bad it probably won't be released as a soundtrack cd...Definitely the ultimate racing music for me.

How about "Speedway at Nazareth" by Mark Knopfler and "Faster" by George Harrison?

How about "Speedway at Nazareth" by Mark Knopfler and "Faster" by George Harrison?

`La Passione` by a certain Chris Rea has to be a favourite of mine. It was a film, album and if "I am not mistaken" a stage show that never happened. The soundtrack was good and Chris has always got it right when it comes to driving music.

`La Passione` by a certain Chris Rea has to be a favourite of mine. It was a film, album and if "I am not mistaken" a stage show that never happened. The soundtrack was good and Chris has always got it right when it comes to driving music.

Chris also wrote and recorded a nice little piece called "Saudade" as a tribute to Ayrton Senna.

I've always loved the piano music from "The Speed Merchants." I've never managed to find a copy of the piece and I can't recall its name at the moment.

I actually took the soundtrack off the Nine Days in Summer dvd and edited it into .wav files so I can listen to the magnificent score by Jeff Wayne. Too bad it probably won't be released as a soundtrack cd...Definitely the ultimate racing music for me.

I remember Nine Days in Summer when it was first released. Borrowed it in 1968 for a motorsport themed film evening when at school! Showed it again years later (with a really good print) at the National Film Theatre.... but that's anlother story! Prior to the final film being released, Ford put out a short film specifically of the Dutch GP in 1967 called "First Time Out". I can't remember if this features Jeff Wayne's music or not. Probably not as I think this would have been well ahead of final production. Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" also features on the Barrie Hinchliffe (BHP) production for Castrol (I think) of the 1978 British Grand Prix. Haven't seen this for ages but it';s got some great footage, cut to the main theme, of Jody's Wolf (but he doesn't look very happy most of the time)! Good material of the two Lotus 79s as well.

Yes you are right Kevthedrummer, I still have the Steve Rider/BBC tribute on video. It has to stand as one of the most stirring pieces of music set to film. The track Saudade plays to the helicopter taking off from Tamburello to take Ayrton to the Maggiore hospital and is very very moving. Saudade is a Portugese word that has no meaning but is used to describe the sense of loss and emptiness after a loved one`s death. Chris did Ayrton wonders with that piece and I often listen to it, regards Keith (Pink Snail) M.

Corduroy penned an instrumental number in about 1995 called "Ayrton Senna", a slightly latin take on their acid jazz oeuvre.I actually quite like it, more so than their other material. I think it was a b-side, but I'm not sure (such is the tragic loss of context with MP3s...)

I recall travelling through Belgium on a holiday with my parents when was about 12 and my Dad playing Oxygene by Jean Michelle Jarre, and let me get this straight, he's not a man who's music I appreciate on an aesthetic level, but now whenever I hear it I associate it with Zolder. Indeed this thread has prompted me to nostalgically download it (if such a thing is possible) from iTunes. I think his Dad wrote the score for "Grand Prix" as well (as well as designing the board game "risk" I think!)?

I believe that 'Risk' was devised by the French film director Albert Lamorisse.