Tape Leaders: A Compendium of Early British Electronic Music Composers

In the form of a richly illustrated compendium, Tape Leaders is an indispensable reference guide for anyone interested in electronic sound and its origins in the UK. For the first time, a book sets out information on practically everyone active with experimental electronics and tape recording across the country to reveal the untold stories and hidden history of early British electronic music.

With an individual entry for each composer, it covers everyone from famous names like William Burroughs, Brian Eno and Joe Meek to the ultra-obscure such as Roy Cooper, Donald Henshilwood and Edgar Vetter.

There are sections for EMS and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and amateurs, groups and ensembles that experimented with electronics, including The Beatles, Hawkwind and White Noise.

Author Ian Helliwell draws on his experience and extensive research into electronic music. After six years and dozens of interviews, he has amassed information never before brought to light in this fascinating subject.

An essential book for anyone interested in electronic music history during the 1950s and 60s.

Author: Ian Helliwell
Publisher: Velocity Press
Published: 12/20/2021
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.55lbs
Size: 8.98h x 6.85w x 0.71d
ISBN: 9781913231125

About the Author
Helliwell, Ian: - A self-taught independent multimedia artist, Ian Helliwell works in music, film, animation, analogue electronics, instrument building, collage, installations, live performance, light show projection, graphic design, writing and film programming. In 2011 he completed his first feature-length documentary film Practical Electronica, looking at tape pioneer FC Judd. Expanding on his research for Tape Leaders, he released Project Symbiosis, in 2020, a compilation CD based on an archive electronic music graphic score.