Jim Jones celebrates 50 years at Abbey Road

Jim Jones celebrates 50 years at Abbey Road

27th September 2022

Former technical engineer and current IT & communications manager Jim Jones is celebrating 50 years at Abbey Road Studios.

A party was held in Studio Two with many friends and past colleagues such as ex-studio manager Ken Townsend MBE, engineer/producer John Leckie, ex-chief engineer Peter Cobbin, producer/engineer Jeff Jarratt, canteen legend Doreen Dunkley and ex-studio manager Collette Barber in attendance.
 
 
Jim began work for EMI at their facility in Hayes on 4 September 1972, working on EMI TV cameras and also the EMI Scanner. This was the first CT (computerised tomography) scanner using image technology to scan the brain.

He then transferred to Abbey Road on 2 September 1974 to become a technical engineer.

At that time, he was involved in redesigning Studio Three, including the implementation of an early Mixing Desk Computer Automation system.
 
 
He assisted the recordings of artists like Pilot, Ian Drury and the Blockheads and Marc Bolan, travelled Europe working on mobile recordings for EMI Classics and Sony Classics, and even toured with Paul McCartney and Wings recording their live set.

At the start of their recordings for The Wall, Pink Floyd brought Jim out to the south of France for a week to assist.

In the ‘80s Jim became friends with Kate Bush, managing the technical aspects of many of her albums including Never for Ever and Hounds of Love as well as her Before The Dawn residency at Hammersmith Apollo in 2014.
 

Jim with Kate Bush

Jim with Jim and Ken Townsend

 
As technology progressed, he stayed on the cutting edge, gradually making the transition from the technical department to IT. In the ‘90s Jim “ticked the wrong box” and became IT Manager.

He continues to oversee the digital operations of Abbey Road and can always be spotted somewhere around the building, patiently and graciously lending a hand.

Join us in congratulating Jim on 50 years of service. Our studios wouldn’t be the same without you.
 
Jim on stage during a rousing speech by Simon Campbell, head of technical services
 

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