“Jeremy Elliott, one of the great characters of the UK classical record industry, has died at the age of 64. Like a generation of record folk, he was an alumnus of MDC (Music Discount Centre), one of the gems of London’s retail world. He worked for Harmonia Mundi, establishing its presence and distribution network in this country as its first UK Managing Director. He then founded his own distribution business, The Complete Record Co, and later at Retrospective Records started his own line of reissues, drawing on numerous different source labels, and he also distributed the Brilliant Classics catalogue. Latterly he was a distribution consultant for Melodiya in the UK.
“A bon vivant with a passion for fast cars, Jeremy was an unashamed rogue, but his force of character, scandalous anecdotes and ‘wide-boy’ attitude to life endeared him to all but the hardest of hearts. He was a survivor and, underneath the bravado, he had a very genuine and astoundingly broad love of music, a very warm heart, and was a loyal friend to many in the industry. The London music world will be much the poorer without him.”
James Jolly [Gramophone website]
I couldn’t agree more. He used to call me Maurice because of a wind-up from years back when I phoned him pretending to be the agent of conductor Maurice Abravanel (Jezza was Vanguard’s UK agent at the time) insisting on a press launch at the Hilton the next day. He was gobsmacked. ‘Not possible …’ he exclaimed in a state of panic and when I spilled the beans he gently put the phone down on his desk, still connected, and walked up and down his office mouthing unmentionable expletives. And that was just one instance of the fun we had – the fun HE he had with so many of us, I should say. If Jezza was a rogue I don’t know what that makes me! – we were two of a kind and I agree with James that the London music world will be much, much the poorer without him. Tragic, in fact. 64 is no age.
Jeremy was a wonderful friend who guided my interest in making records. I shall always be grateful to him for his kindness in helping me produce my Nimbus / Waystone CDs.
https://www.wyastone.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/index/?instrumentalist=2499&q=+clara+rodriguez