Hippodrome Records

[phrankie]

Me again!

Does anyone have any information about Hippodrome Records, a label from the early 80's? All I know is that they tried to sign Dusty Springfield, but apparently she "refused to go Hi NRG" (I remember reading this in Record Mirror!) :)

[Energyguy]

Originally Posted by phrankie

Me again!

Does anyone have any information about Hippodrome Records, a label from the early 80's? All I know is that they tried to sign Dusty Springfield, but apparently she "refused to go Hi NRG" (I remember reading this in Record Mirror!) :)

That is a new one on me !!- Not heard anything about Hippodrome records....Wonder if any other members know anything... ? Shame Dusty did not go all HINRG...Would have been cool 8) REPUTATION was a good HINRG type track - Love the 12" remix...

[neonlights]

Dusty was actually signed to Hippodrome records briefly in 1985. She did one single (non-hiNRG) for them - a cover of Donna Summer's "Sometimes Like Butterflies," notable because her voice cracks and goes completely hoarse towards the end.. it was actually quite moving despite being hastily recorded... Apparently her fans consider the "Hippodrome fiasco" one of the lowest points in her career (more info: http://www.isd.net/mbayly/white.htm @ the bottom of the page)..

[phrankie]

Thanks neon...I remember now that the article had said that she recorded "Butterflies" because it wasn't a Hi NRG track...I wonder what other tracks came out on Hippodrome?

[Trevor Rhodes]

Hippodrome 7 inch UK singles Discography

Hip 101 Edwin Starr : It ain't fair / Red hot
hip 102 The West End Boys : Summertime / Summertime (inst.)
hip 103 Dusty Springfield : Sometimes like butterflies /I wanna control you
hip 104 ?
hip 105 Edwin Starr : Missiles (we don't want to die) / Part 2
hip 106 Business Connection : Bring you down / Connections
hip 107 Edwin Starr : Grapevine / I need your love
hip 108 Edwin Starr : Soul Singer / Eye to eye contact (remix '86)
hip 109 Frizzby Fox : Pretty boys /Cut me loose
hip 110 Paul Jackson : The story of gone with the wind / (instrumental)

As far as I have discovered all single were released in Picture Sleeves.
but I only have 101, 105, 107, 108 & 110.
If anyone has info on hip 104 or any after hip 110, please help me complete my collection.
Hippodrome also released 12 inch singles and some had extra tracks but I never had any as space is tight.

[Karl-UK-66]

Guys

As far as I recall, Peter Stringfellow owned Hippodrome records distributed via EMI in the UK. The logo was the same as the one he used for his famous London nightclub, the Hippodrome.

The club was infamous for it's Monday "Gay Night". Many early 80s Hi-NRG acts - Sinitta, Divine, Hazell Dean etc - appeared there long before mainstream chart success arrived. I also recall seeing Three Degress and Princess.

'104' in the series was "The Beverleys" with the track "Sisters", a disco/Hi NRG re-working of their 'Beverley Sisters' recording from the 1950s. Stringfellow appeared with the ladies on a number of UK chatshows to promote the release in 1985.

It's the same song made famous by Rosemary Clooney and the single came in a picture sleeve showing the aging sisters on the front and a photo of them with composer Irving Berlin snapped back in the day.

Hope this helps,
Karl

[Trevor Rhodes]

Hi Karl,
Thanks for the info, I have looked on the Belevery Sisters website and it was listed with the B side title is 'You told me more than once'.

But still can't find a copy on the internet for sale.

Many Thanks

Trevor

[Trevor Rhodes]

Hi,
I must thank Karl again, I tried Music Stack, Gemm but finally discovered a copy of The Beverly Sisters on UK 7" Hippodrome 104 with picture cover for £1.80 plus £2 postage on ebay.uk.

Many Thanks

Trevor

[Tony Adamson]

Very interested to see this thread as I DJ'd full time at the Hippodrome from 1984-1993, BEST years of my life!!!
Hippodrome records was indeed part of Peter Stringfellows Hippodrome nightclub. it was basically run out of an office in the Hippodrome by a guy called David Martin.

Add to your list "Dyna-dall", a ballad of Dallas and Dynasty, by "Bradley and the Boys". Bradley was resident MC at the Hippodrome from day 1. he sung this song along with 2 mates of his, drag queens Ebony and Ruby Venezuela. They actually got themselves on "Wogan" singing this awful song! Sadly, Bradley is no longer with us as he passed away in 2000 (I think it was 2000). last time I spoke to her, Frizzby Fox was working in a chambers in the Strand, london as a PR officer, and she is now happily married with kids!
Also the GREAT "Space Circus" Hippodrome theme which we used to play just before our light show at midnight every night. This was a fantastic Hi Nrg instrumental track written by the Hippodrome's lighting Director Pete Tyler (my boss). I have just managed to find a copy of this on ebay (somehow never ended up with a copy after I left the club).
There was also a good megamix album released on Hippodrome records, which they used to sell in the shop in the foyer. i still have a copy of this in my collection and play it when I am feeling nostalgic. it has some great old 80's Hi Nrg tracks on and was mixed by my old DJ colleagues Mark Vanderpump, Tigrr and Mo Berry.
By the way if anyone has a copy of paul jackson, Gone With the wind, please get in touch.
Thanks for posting this thread it brought back some good memories.
tony

[kdavid13]

I used to own a compilation on Hippodrome records.

The tracks were fairly known HiNRG hits but I can't seem to remember what was exactly on it.

[Tony Adamson]

Hi there,
when I get time, I'll dig it out and post a track listing.
take care
Tony

[Tony Adamson]

I could tell you a few stories about Dusty and her shenanigans in the dressing rooms whilst getting ready for her P.A. for the press release of "Sometimes like butterflies!!!!!"