Marion Massey
Encyclopedia
Marion Massey is most notable as one of the early female managers of music artists. In particular, Marion Massey is the person who discovered singer Lulu
, at the age of fourteen, and who managed her for twenty-five years thereafter.
area of London, England. She discovered Lulu at a Glasgow
disothèque, The Lindella Club, in 1962, when Lulu, then known as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, was fourteen. The club was owned by Massey's brother, Tony Gordon, who introduced Lulu to Massey. It was Massey who changed Marie Lawrie's name to Lulu and that of her band from The Gleneagles to The Luvvers
. Massey thereafter was able to obtain a first recording contract for Lulu and The Luvvers at Decca Records
.
Massey is particularly notable for having become a music manager in the early 1960s, while at the same time being the mother of three young children. Female music managers were particularly rare during this period. The only female contemporary to Massey during this period was Eve Taylor
, manager of singer Sandie Shaw
. During the commencement of Lulu's career, Massey invited Lulu to live with Massey's family in her London home. Lulu attributes much of her success to having had a family-oriented and mature manager in Massey, who provided a supportive living environment.
Massey was married to Mark London
, the composer of the melody to "To Sir With Love", from the movie of the same name
, which became Lulu's biggest hit in the 1960s. During Massey's management of Lulu, London wrote and produced much of Lulu's music.
During their twenty-five year association, Massey and Lulu were equal partners, as a business enterprise.
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
, at the age of fourteen, and who managed her for twenty-five years thereafter.
History
Marion Massey was based in the Holland ParkHolland Park
Holland Park is a district and a public park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in west central London, England.Holland Park has a reputation as an affluent and fashionable area, known for attractive large Victorian townhouses, and high-class shopping and restaurants...
area of London, England. She discovered Lulu at a Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
disothèque, The Lindella Club, in 1962, when Lulu, then known as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, was fourteen. The club was owned by Massey's brother, Tony Gordon, who introduced Lulu to Massey. It was Massey who changed Marie Lawrie's name to Lulu and that of her band from The Gleneagles to The Luvvers
The Luvvers
The Luvvers were a Scottish rock group. They are best known as the backing group to Lulu on her debut chart single, "Shout" . They subsequently had a low-key career of their own before disbanding in March 1966.-Career:...
. Massey thereafter was able to obtain a first recording contract for Lulu and The Luvvers at Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
.
Massey is particularly notable for having become a music manager in the early 1960s, while at the same time being the mother of three young children. Female music managers were particularly rare during this period. The only female contemporary to Massey during this period was Eve Taylor
Eve Taylor
Eve Taylor is notable as one of the early female music managers. She is particularly notable for her management of singers Sandi Shaw and Adam Faith, and of composer John Barry.-History:...
, manager of singer Sandie Shaw
Sandie Shaw
Sandie Shaw is an English pop singer, who was one of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s. In 1967 she was the first UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest...
. During the commencement of Lulu's career, Massey invited Lulu to live with Massey's family in her London home. Lulu attributes much of her success to having had a family-oriented and mature manager in Massey, who provided a supportive living environment.
Massey was married to Mark London
Mark London
Mark London is a soundtrack composer, songwriter and producer. He is particularly notable as the co-writer of the song "To Sir With Love".-History:...
, the composer of the melody to "To Sir With Love", from the movie of the same name
To Sir, with Love
To Sir, With Love is a 1967 British drama film starring Sidney Poitier that deals with social and racial issues in an inner city school. James Clavell both directed and wrote the film's screenplay, based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by E. R. Braithwaite.The film's title song...
, which became Lulu's biggest hit in the 1960s. During Massey's management of Lulu, London wrote and produced much of Lulu's music.
During their twenty-five year association, Massey and Lulu were equal partners, as a business enterprise.