Tony Secunda
Encyclopedia
Anthony Michael "Tony" Secunda (24 August 1940 - 12 February 1995) was a British
manager
of rock
groups
in the 1960s and 1970s, including The Moody Blues
, Procol Harum
, The Move
, and T. Rex, Motörhead, Marianne Faithfull
and the Pretenders.
He was born in Epsom
, Surrey
, England
.
According to Carl Wayne
, the Move's vocalist, Secunda's business acumen and flair for publicity were a major factor in the group's success. "He dreamed up all the ideas, the stunts and the clothing – sending Blackberry pies with bottles of champagne for "Blackberry Way
", doing a photo session at the fire station in Birmingham for "Fire Brigade
" – and of course the Harold Wilson
affair!"
The latter referred to Secunda's most controversial stunt, in which a cartoon
postcard
promoting the group's 1967 single
, "Flowers in the Rain
", featured an allegedly libellous drawing of Wilson, then Prime Minister
. The group and management were sued, lost the case, and as part of the settlement had to relinquish all royalties
in respect of the record
to a charity
of Wilson's choice - a ruling which they tried unsuccessfully to overturn after Wilson's death in 1995. The Move were unnerved by the experience, and fired Secunda as their manager shortly afterwards.
Secunda continued his involvement with another ex-Move member, Trevor Burton
, when he helped set up and finance a band called Balls, in 1969, with the singer Denny Laine
from the Moody Blues. But this venture failed to emulate past success.
In 1971 he became manager of T. Rex and helped Marc Bolan
to set up his own record label
, T. Rex Wax Co, through EMI
. In the process, generating a huge income for Bolan and his band, which often included the handover of suitcases of cash to close deals. After parting company with Bolan, he managed Steve Peregrin Took
, Bolan's former musical partner, Steeleye Span
, Motörhead, and Marianne Faithfull
a short run experience which ended with a cash pay-off, after Marianne decided his management style was not suited to her needs. Secunda discovered Chrissie Hynde in the early eighties and placed her on a retainer, so she could leave her day job and concentrate on writing music.
In the mid-eighties Secunda moved to San Anselmo
, California
, where he remained active in music publishing and promotion, and developed an interest in the ecology
and green issues. He started a literary agency in Tiburon outside San Francisco, publishing the biographies of bands and musicians, where he died of a heart attack
on the 10th February 1995, at the age of 54.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
manager
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
of rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
groups
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
in the 1960s and 1970s, including The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Procol Harum are a British rock band, formed in 1967, which contributed to the development of progressive rock, and by extension, symphonic rock. Their best-known recording is their 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale"...
, The Move
The Move
The Move, from Birmingham, England, were one of the leading British rock bands of the 1960s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any success in the United States....
, and T. Rex, Motörhead, Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
and the Pretenders.
He was born in Epsom
Epsom
Epsom is a town in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England. Small parts of Epsom are in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. The town is located south-south-west of Charing Cross, within the Greater London Urban Area. The town lies on the chalk downland of Epsom Downs.-History:Epsom lies...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
According to Carl Wayne
Carl Wayne
Carl Wayne was a British singer and actor. He is best remembered as the lead vocalist of Birmingham rock group The Move during the 1960s.-Early days:...
, the Move's vocalist, Secunda's business acumen and flair for publicity were a major factor in the group's success. "He dreamed up all the ideas, the stunts and the clothing – sending Blackberry pies with bottles of champagne for "Blackberry Way
Blackberry Way
"Blackberry Way" is a single by The Move.Written by Roy Wood and produced by Jimmy Miller, "Blackberry Way" was a bleak counterpoint to the sunny psychedelia of earlier recordings. It nevertheless became the band's most successful single reaching #1 on the UK singles chart. Richard Tandy who would...
", doing a photo session at the fire station in Birmingham for "Fire Brigade
Fire Brigade (Move song)
"Fire Brigade" is a song written by Roy Wood and performed by The Move, with Wood on lead vocal. The song contains a guitar figure straight out of Duane Eddy...
" – and of course the Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
affair!"
The latter referred to Secunda's most controversial stunt, in which a cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
postcard
Postcard
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope....
promoting the group's 1967 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "Flowers in the Rain
Flowers in the Rain
"Flowers in the Rain" is a song by the sixties Rock band The Move. The song was released as a single and reached number two in 1967 on the UK Singles Chart....
", featured an allegedly libellous drawing of Wilson, then Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
. The group and management were sued, lost the case, and as part of the settlement had to relinquish all royalties
Royalties
Royalties are usage-based payments made by one party to another for the right to ongoing use of an asset, sometimes an intellectual property...
in respect of the record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
to a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
of Wilson's choice - a ruling which they tried unsuccessfully to overturn after Wilson's death in 1995. The Move were unnerved by the experience, and fired Secunda as their manager shortly afterwards.
Secunda continued his involvement with another ex-Move member, Trevor Burton
Trevor Burton
Trevor Burton is a British guitarist and was one of the original members of The Move.-Danny King & The Mayfair Set:...
, when he helped set up and finance a band called Balls, in 1969, with the singer Denny Laine
Denny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
from the Moody Blues. But this venture failed to emulate past success.
In 1971 he became manager of T. Rex and helped Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
to set up his own record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, T. Rex Wax Co, through EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. In the process, generating a huge income for Bolan and his band, which often included the handover of suitcases of cash to close deals. After parting company with Bolan, he managed Steve Peregrin Took
Steve Peregrin Took
Steve Peregrin Took was an English musician. He is best known for his membership of the duo Tyrannosaurus Rex with Marc Bolan...
, Bolan's former musical partner, Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span
Steeleye Span are an English folk-rock band, formed in 1969 and remaining active today. Along with Fairport Convention they are amongst the best known acts of the British folk revival, and were among the most commercially successful, thanks to their hit singles "Gaudete" and "All Around My Hat"....
, Motörhead, and Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Evelyn Faithfull is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress whose career has spanned five decades....
a short run experience which ended with a cash pay-off, after Marianne decided his management style was not suited to her needs. Secunda discovered Chrissie Hynde in the early eighties and placed her on a retainer, so she could leave her day job and concentrate on writing music.
In the mid-eighties Secunda moved to San Anselmo
San Anselmo, California
San Anselmo is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, in the western United States. San Anselmo is located west of San Rafael, at an elevation of 46 feet . It is located about north of San Francisco. Neighboring towns include San Rafael to the east, Fairfax to the west, and Ross to the...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he remained active in music publishing and promotion, and developed an interest in the ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and green issues. He started a literary agency in Tiburon outside San Francisco, publishing the biographies of bands and musicians, where he died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on the 10th February 1995, at the age of 54.