BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

BBC Radio 2

Radio 2

Jac Holzman's Elektra Story

Jac Holzman's Elektra Story: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 2 - Jac Holzman's Elektra Story, Episode 1

Jac Holzman recalls the early years of his label, with interviews from artists of that era

Paul Gambaccini presents a series charting the history of Elektra Records. Jac Holzman begins by recalling the early years of his label, with interviews from artists of that era.

Paul Gambaccini presents a three-part series charting the history of Elektra Records, 60 years after it was founded by Jac Holzman (10 October 1950).

Primarily a New York folk label, with influential singers Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton, the company explored new avenues from the mid-60s when Jac signed West Coast artists Love, Tim Buckley and the Doors. Further chart success came from the development of artists such as Bread, Carly Simon and Harry Chapin. 

The series features interviews with Jac Holzman and many of his artists: Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, Judy Collins, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore (The Doors), David Gates (Bread), Tom Paxton, Joshua Rifkin, Jean Ritchie, Tom Rush and Carly Simon; plus Elektra executives Danny Fields and Clive Selwood, engineer/producer Bruce Botnick and sessionman at the time John Sebastian. 

In part one, Jac Holzman and Elektra artists recall the early years of his label. Canadian Oscar Brand remembers his boisterous albums of songs associated with the armed services; Kentucky singer Jean Ritchie recalls her earliest recordings released by the label; and Theodore Bikel talks about his many Elektra concept albums devoted to songs from a variety of different countries and cultures. Carly Simon remembers Theo's albums with affection and sings snippets from his multi-lingual repertoire.

After ten years of modest success, in the first half of the 60s Elektra found itself well-placed in New York's Greenwich Village to record singers emerging in a period of unprecedented enthusiasm for folk music. Jac discovered his first star of the decade when he signed Judy Collins in 1962. 

Judy was joined on Elektra by many of the new generation of young folk singers - the prolific writer Tom Paxton, protest singer Phil Ochs and, from the Cambridge scene, Tom Rush. Hanging out in Greenwich Village and playing mouth organ on many Elektra record sessions was future Lovin' Spoonful member John Sebastian. And Jac Holzman found an ally in his quest for quality artists when he employed Paul Rothchild as talent scout and record producer. 

This series first broadcast in six parts, back in 2008.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Documentaries

Music: Classic Pop & Rock

Paul Gambaccini presents a series charting the history of Elektra Records

Paul Gambaccini presents a series charting the history of Elektra Records, from when it was founded by Jac Holzman in 1950 until he sold his company in 1973

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Jac Holzman's Elektra Story

Episode 1

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 2

About BBC Radio 2