This memoir from one of the most respected figures in the history of the Australian music industry has been acclaimed by the movers and shakers who knew the popular author – Nick Hampton.
NICK OF TIME: MY LIFE AND CAREER, ALL ON THE RECORD, charts his stellar career in the glory days of rock ’n’ roll with giants like EMI and CBS. It took him from London in the Swinging Sixties through Europe and the USA to Australia, where he became managing director of EMI and one of the most respected figures in the super-competitive music business. Later, Nick was a highly regarded executive at APRA, the artists’ rights organisation, a founding father of music industry charities, and a pioneer in the field of music therapy.
NICK OF TIME is a fascinating walk down music memory lane alongside Petula Clark, The Kinks, Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent, Donovan, Elton John, Sandie Shaw, Johnny Cash, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett, Vera Lynn and Paul Simon. As well as music greats in Australia, from Jimmy Barnes, Neil Finn, Iva Davies, Slim Dusty and Joy McKean to Glenn Shorrock, Jenny Morris, Richard Clapton, Smoky Dawson and more. Plus other famous industry names like Ted Albert, who was behind the rise of AC/DC, Dick James, Louis Benjamin, Morris Levy, Lew Grade and Clive Davis.
English-born Hampton was finance director at Pye Records in London from 1964-1968. He joined CBS Records in 1969 as its Paris-based European financial controller, before returning to London as operational director. He later moved to Australia as managing director of EMI Music . He was instrumental in setting up Entertainment Distributors Corporation (EDC), EMIs distribution joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment Australia. From 1988-1989 he was CEO of the Video Distributors Industry Association. He was company secretary and director of administration and finance at APRA and instrumental in setting up the fund-raising for charity body Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. Nick has now retired from the industry and live in the south of France.
* An overview of the global music industry over seven decades. * Not just a roll call of famous artists and music executives, Nick comments on their character in some detail. Not all of it is sweet. When some people deserve to be called out he does it. * "This memoir tells us just how he became the charismatic and hugely effective person we all know in Australia" - Iva Davies / Icehouse * "I could not put it down!" - Peter Rix, Manager of Marcia Hines and Jon English * "Remembers where the bodies were buried. A real page-turner" - Norm Lurie, Retired MD of Music Sales * "Sir Nick, were very fortunate you found your way to Australia" - Ian James, Former MD of Mushroom Music, APRA board member * Book launch at APRA AMCOS head office w/- press invited. * Standalone Website. * Review copies sent out and high profile quotes obtained.
Reviews:
“This memoir tells us just how he became the charismatic and hugely effective person we all know in Australia.” Iva Davies (Icehouse)
“Why is it always those quiet accounting types who remember where the bodies were buried? Nick has written a page-turner which gives a real overview of the music industry over seven decades.” Norm Lurie (Retired MD of Music Sales Australia)
“Whoever said chartered accountants were boring has never met Nick Hampton. The details and the characters that he has met make for a wonderful read. I could not put it down!” Peter Rix (Manager of Marcia Hines, Jon English, and event maestro)
“I had no idea of all the colourful characters he worked with. Nick doesn’t just do a roll call of famous artists and music executives. He comments on their character in some detail. Not all of it is sweet. When some people deserve to be called out he does it deftly. There is often comedy in those caricatures.” Ian James (Former MD, Mushroom Music)
“Nick’s colourful description of life in the music industry brought back a flood of memories. Reflections that mirrored some of my views regarding the mega-egos and bad decisions makers, but more importantly highlighted the extraordinary visionaries and talented ones. His journey has been long and varied and his achievements many. Thank you for a good read!” Fifa Riccobono (Former CEO of Albert Music)
“Trust is rarer than diamonds in this industry but Nick is a trust billionaire. And he spends this trust wisely by corralling the world-weary cynics in our industry together for purpose. A lot of well-meaning do-gooders can just talk the talk. Few are the Nick Hampton kind.” Les Gock (Founding member of Hush and legendary advertising jingle executive)
“This great read brought back memories in spades, highlighting the characters and his experiences during the glory days of the global music industry. It certainly lit up the corners of my mind, and I am sure that many others will find it equally as interesting.” Bob Aird (Former music industry executive)
“Find debonair in the dictionary and the description is as follows: Nick Hampton. Nick is of course so much more than just debonair. I will be forever grateful to him for introducing me to the world of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy.” Jenny Morris OAM, MNZM (Chair APRA, Director Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia)
“Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia may not exist without Nick’s commitment, vision, passion and perseverance. Nick should be proud to have changed the lives of tens of thousands of people with disabilities and other challenges.” Simon Thorp (Chair, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia)
“This memoir tells us just how he became the charismatic and hugely effective person we all know in Australia.” Iva Davies (Icehouse)
“Why is it always those quiet accounting types who remember where the bodies were buried? Nick has written a page-turner which gives a real overview of the music industry over seven decades.” Norm Lurie (Retired MD of Music Sales Australia)
“Whoever said chartered accountants were boring has never met Nick Hampton. The details and the characters that he has met make for a wonderful read. I could not put it down!” Peter Rix (Manager of Marcia Hines, Jon English, and event maestro)
“I had no idea of all the colourful characters he worked with. Nick doesn’t just do a roll call of famous artists and music executives. He comments on their character in some detail. Not all of it is sweet. When some people deserve to be called out he does it deftly. There is often comedy in those caricatures.” Ian James (Former MD, Mushroom Music)
“Nick’s colourful description of life in the music industry brought back a flood of memories. Reflections that mirrored some of my views regarding the mega-egos and bad decisions makers, but more importantly highlighted the extraordinary visionaries and talented ones. His journey has been long and varied and his achievements many. Thank you for a good read!” Fifa Riccobono (Former CEO of Albert Music)
“Trust is rarer than diamonds in this industry but Nick is a trust billionaire. And he spends this trust wisely by corralling the world-weary cynics in our industry together for purpose. A lot of well-meaning do-gooders can just talk the talk. Few are the Nick Hampton kind.” Les Gock (Founding member of Hush and legendary advertising jingle executive)
“This great read brought back memories in spades, highlighting the characters and his experiences during the glory days of the global music industry. It certainly lit up the corners of my mind, and I am sure that many others will find it equally as interesting.” Bob Aird (Former music industry executive)
“Find debonair in the dictionary and the description is as follows: Nick Hampton. Nick is of course so much more than just debonair. I will be forever grateful to him for introducing me to the world of Nordoff-Robbins music therapy.” Jenny Morris OAM, MNZM (Chair APRA, Director Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia)
“Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia may not exist without Nick’s commitment, vision, passion and perseverance. Nick should be proud to have changed the lives of tens of thousands of people with disabilities and other challenges.” Simon Thorp (Chair, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia)
