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Nick Moran

Nick Moran discusses 'Telstar'

Joe Meek produced hit singles from above a shop on the Holloway Road. Trevor Johnston talks to Nick Moran about bringing his life to the big screen

Joe Meek. Ill-fated ’60s pop genius. The Holloway Road’s own king of twang. Ring any bells? If so, you’ll already be keen to see ‘Telstar’, the new biopic chronicling a life bizarrely eventful even by music biz standards. If not, then it’s over to writer-director Nick Moran for his killer pitch…

‘Joe Meek? He lived and worked above a handbag shop, wrote the biggest-selling record of all time, turned down The Beatles, took lots of drugs, worshipped the Devil, got arrested for importuning, then shot his landlady and killed himself.’ Interested? Well, that’s about as much as Moran knew when he started out 15 years ago on a journey that has taken the 39-year-old one-time ‘Lock, Stock…’ actor from pub theatre to the West End stage, and now this energetic directorial screen debut. It all began, would you believe, with the plaque on the wall above the shop at 304 Holloway Road, where Meek had his studio. ‘It was about 1994 and I was an under-employed actor looking to write a play,’ Moran recalls. ‘I spotted the plaque, and someone gave me a run-down of the Joe Meek story, which hit the spot in terms of juicy subject matter!’

Meek’s legacy has been fiercely protected by The Joe Meek Society, and was the subject of a 1991 ‘Arena’ documentary for the BBC. However, it’s fair to say that the creator of such ’60s pop gems as The Tornados’ ‘Telstar’ – the first single by a British artist to top the US chart in the years before the Beatles-led ‘British Invasion’ – and The Honeycombs’ ‘Have I The Right?’ is best known these days to a coterie of musos and admirers. This might have given Moran and co-writer James Hicks the freedom to impose their own shape on the material, but since Hicks’s granny turned out to be a close friend of Meek’s writing partner, Alan Blakely – who provided first-hand recollections of the maverick producer’s rise and fall – it soon became apparent that Meek’s story didn’t need any creative sweetening.

‘What guided us was David Mamet’s dictum: “Always tell the truth, it’s the easiest thing to remember”, ’ Moran continues. ‘Meek’s story was about a man who builds a kingdom, then all the traits that made him great come back and destroy him. The point of the play and film is to show what happens when you get success, but you just can’t stop it slipping through your fingers. Perhaps that’s an uncomfortable story for some people, but we had a fantastic producer in Simon Jordan, who gave us the backing to tell it the way it was.’

Indeed, although Moran and Hicks’s stage play ‘Telstar’ was given its first public read-through in a Stockwell pub by a cast including Jude Law, Kathy Burke and Samantha Morton, Jordan – millionaire chairman of Crystal Palace FC – has loomed large in its progress ever since. He helped to fund the play’s West End opening in 2005, then kept it running when audiences plummeted after the 7/7 bombings. It was Jordan, too, who rang Moran in LA in early 2007 to suggest they turn it into a movie. ‘He has an affinity with the story,’ explains Moran. ‘Perhaps it connected with him as a self-made man.’ While Jordan’s cash made the film possible, Con O’Neill’s return in the demanding, flamboyant central role also proved crucial in easing the transition from stage to screen. ‘When you’re on an incredibly tight schedule, it’s amazing to have someone who’s that prepared,’ says Moran.

‘Telstar’ thrums with the excitement of unearthing a singularly eccentric chapter in pop’s back pages. The teeming incidents of Meek’s tragic life sometimes make an awkward fit in story terms, but it’s a confident, committed directing bow. Given Moran’s somewhat variable post-‘Lock, Stock…’ acting credits, where such indie offerings as ‘Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry’ nestle alongside the likes of ‘Soccer Dog: European Pup’, it’s likely to surprise people, and has since won him a second feature assignment, helming an adaptation of Kevin Lewis’s true-crime memoir ‘The Kid’.

‘I’ve done 18 or so movies as an actor and I’ve always been very watchful on set. You learn as much from doing a bad film as a good one,’ Moran sums up. ‘So I came into “Telstar” with a clear vision. I could have gone on “Mastermind” with Joe Meek as my subject. Now it’s trial by fire to see if critics and audiences like it as much as we do, but it’s great to make something you’re proud of. I’ve been in the business long enough to know that doesn’t happen so often.’

'Telstar' opens on June 19.

Author: Trevor Johnston

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User comments on this story

Danielle said...

Della, I've mentioned this before but you should see the new doc when it's available. It does touch on the ambiguous situation between Heinz and Joe but it allows everyone to share their own beliefs and NOT draw any conclusions. They even speak to Heinz mother and sister about their opinions. Bit of difference from the Moran approach! Posted on Nov 19 2009 16:40

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Chris said...

Della ther here is a dedicated Joe Meek web page http://telstar.forumotion.net/ Posted on Nov 18 2009 22:16

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Della said...

I have been in touch with Dave Adams and he did think that he should have been asked for his opinion about Joe, Telstar, Holloway Road and Heinz. Dave, Heinz and I were good friends back then. Maybe Nick Moran should talk to us but I somehow think he hasn't got the nerve. I do wonder where this will all end, we are all still talking about it! I am in interested in Angie. Who are you, I wonder? Posted on Nov 18 2009 22:03

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Chris said...

If you want to comment about Joe Meek then check out http://telstar.forumotion.net/ Posted on Nov 18 2009 20:45

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Chris said...

This so called biopic true story has hurt lots of people. I feel the former artists that contributed to this sham either sold out or wern't aware of what the outcome would produce. There are precious few who can tell it how it was one is Dave Adams who helped compose Telsar the tune wasn't even featured in the play or the film. Posted on Nov 18 2009 20:34

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LB said...

Della ... sorry no ofence meant.. don't know great deal about Heinz but loved 'just like Eddie' and Joe so i was really excited by the film now i have heard that it ios far from the truth i think it's a shame for everyone the film encounters as it appears to have given a false picture of everyone involved. I am sorry that the film has brought you and your family sorrow i can only hope it makes people remember Heinz, Patrick and Joe's music with pleasure. Posted on Nov 18 2009 19:46

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s.wright said...

Dear della, On a lighter note i was so happy to get more records of heinz and managed to get an authentic signature of heinz to so i am so made up,i hope to go into the studio's in november / december . i believe you know tom he has my address .i want to record country boy ,and send them on to get your input ,i wish you well in all you do ,i think you are very proud of heinz ,i know i would be if he was my father,he brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people including my family .Kind regards, stafford Posted on Nov 16 2009 18:52

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Chris said...

Moran is a two faced liar the story above proves this. I feel sorry for Heinz he's made out to be simple. Joe Meek for going bananas with everyone. Patrick is not happy with his portrayal towards the climax of the movie.I looked forward to this film but feel let down, Pity because the sets are superb and the cast some of the best in the business.Perhaps a remake of Liar Liar with Moran would go down well! Posted on Nov 16 2009 18:50

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Della said...

Heinz was very good looking, very heterosexual: Joe was obsessed with him, others obviously noticed the obsession and people will always put their own interpretation on things. I was married to Heinz, I have said it before and I will keep repeating it, " he did not have an affair with Joe". Our son, Simon,. wil still not watch the film because of how it portrays his father. Nick Moran does not answer my messages. Why? Nick Moran never asked for my views on it. Why? I was why Heinz left Holloway Road. I could go on but won't. Posted on Nov 16 2009 15:34

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LB said...

all films biopic or otherwise use hyperbole to make the film 'more exciting' i actually enjoyed the film very much but was unaware of the 'lies' envolved. I heard Patrick had a cameo role in the film is that true? if so why didn't he say that it was not like that. Despite the obvious upset this film is causing i think the acting was superb! finally where did this idea that Heinz and Joe were in a sexual relationship come from?
thankyou Posted on Nov 16 2009 15:25

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Chris said...

This film has a lot to answer for the untruths the out and out blatand and scan regard for people dead and alive is shamefull. Moran has had to concede the fact that it wasn't his idea after all but "Inspired" by the book written by John Repsh. Thus provin that Moran has dubious credibility if ant at all! Posted on Nov 13 2009 18:12

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Angie said...

My husband was the last Joe Meeks artist and as Joe put it was going all over the world and my self went out with Heinz and met him frequently at Jos Flat my husband and i watched this Telstar movie and it wasnt as we knew it was so dark in places and Heinz was a perfect gentleman to me he even rang my mum when i had a car accident telling her i would be ok and he sent me flowers and made sure i got home ok and now that Heinz and Joe are both dead they cannot defends themselfs but we know. Regards Angie Posted on Nov 13 2009 11:34

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s.wright said...

Patrick pink,.as i growing older at almost 43 reflections in the film did captivate my interest in joe .As i never knew him i would love to gain a true insight .into a supportive man .who honestly knew and loved his music and inspirations,.to much to say here.please e mail me if you feel you can ,i would so much appreciate it................. Posted on Oct 29 2009 13:05

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Patrick Pink said...

He influenced a younger generation in the 60s, Joe Meek was so advanced in
sounds ,and was a wizard with electronics , a fantastic record producer
Joe Meek gave every one a chance to make it in the music biz. He was the kindest man I've ever known,and not the bastard as portayed in this film, I'm so happy his Legacy lives on today after 42 years. --Not many have achieved this. His music stands out, if Johnny Remember Me were released today it would still make number one. Telstar is so brilliant no one has ever made a better version. .
He knew exactly what sound he wanted ,he was an innovator and a pioneer
The music world owe so much to Joe Meek
he deserves to be remembered in a good light
he was an honest man and he should be in the the Rock and Roll hall of Fame
he does not deservse the bad movie
And to all those out here that think this movie was great and enjoyed the
betrayal of Mr Meek,Heinz and myself than shame on you and shame on Nick Moran and Simon Jordan for not researching the history properly and calling this film"A truer than fiction film--------its all codswallop Posted on Sep 13 2009 01:30

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Della said...

Hi Tom, That's OK, not a problem. No I don't live or work in Crewkerne anymore. I will try and contact you.
This film gets more and more irritating. I will defend Heinz at all times as will his son, Simon, believe me. Posted on Sep 02 2009 12:39

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