Happy Trails: Andrew Lauder's Charmed Life and High Times in the Record Business

by Andrew Lauder, Andrew Lauder

Andrew Lauder is one of British record business's most significant and highly influential figures but outside the music industry few people will probably know his name. He's always retained a fan's perspective which, combined with an exceptional knowledge of music, meant he was at ease around musicians and never happier than spending time with them. During the later '60s and throughout the '70s in particular (working at the legendary United Artists), he had a knack of being one step ahead of the next trend. In hindsight it's easy to identify the changing eras in music but underground music, pub rock and punk in Britain, for example, evolved quite seamlessly and it was visionaries like Andrew who, instinctively, saw what was coming and helped bring about those transitions. He was ahead of the game in other ways too; pioneering a more creative way of marketing and promoting records and revolutionising the way catalogue was organised and presented. This is his story.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Mark Steell]

Andrew Lauder is new to me and his story as an A&R man coming through the music industry ranks in the 60's is a fantastic adventure with lots of classic artists encountered along the way. I particulary liked the description of the rock music industry in its evolution from beat groups to flower power and the casual progression and serendipity involved for the author and his acts. This culture will never be repeated and you can feel the stranglehold of corporate culture on music as the book comes up to date.

[Allan Heron]

I knew of Andrew primarily via his association with the Manband, but it's astonishing to read about all the other connections he makes with the music I love.

A wonderful story, very well told.

All that was lacking (and I'm being very picky) was mention of the Man album released on Evangeline. Endangered Species was a magnificent final hurrah for them.

[Rob Lee]

Nearly abandoned this after the first couple of chapters due to the standard “well to do baby boomer discovers blues at boarding school” intro, but glad I stuck with it. As much attention paid to BJ Cole, Help Yourself et al as the big names. Interesting early history of the reissue game too.

[Nate Krenkel]

The Groundhogs!

[Ralph]

He's had a great life and likes music for all the right reasons