Remembering Charlie Crane
 |
| Charlie Crane |
I met Charlie Crane mid to late 80’s through my work as a songwriter. I had just come to the end of a publishing contract with MCA Music and Charlie had just left employment as a publisher (can’t remember – maybe it was ABC Music) I was looking for a new publisher and he was looking for some action. I can’t remember how we met but we hung out for a while. To be honest I had kinda fallen out with MCA as they fired my main man, Pete Waterman leaving me without a mentor.
I stayed at Charlie’s house a couple of times and met his wife and kids. I recall a moment when Charlie caught me dealing from the bottom of the deck in a card game. I was playing with his six-year-old son at the time.
I remember hearing somewhere that Charlie was a one-time member of a band called the “Crying Shames” but I did not pay this much attention as I was more concerned with my own career. Eventually, Charlie got the gig with MCA music which put an end to us working together since I had just left them. I guess I should have stayed in touch and got him to work my back catalogue but I was more concerned with the future. I got a publishing deal with DJM through Gus Dudgeon and concentrated on that, losing touch with Charlie.
Just yesterday evening Charlie came to mind so I thought I would Google him. I vaguely recall hearing he had died so I didn’t expect to find him on Facebook. I did find him though. Made me think how great the web is that I could learn more about his story that I selfishly paid scant attention to. Through YouTube I was able hear him sing and realising that the record was produced by the legendary Joe Meek, I really wished I had got into a conversation about this. This web page – tells the story of the “Crying Shames” very well and in the YouTube below you can hear Charlie sing. He was a nice unassuming guy and I wish that I had kept in touch but our paths crossed briefly and we went our own ways – such is life.
Ahh, the memories coming flooding back. I knew Charlie when he was with The Bumblies, who became the Cryin’ Shames. I remember them recording this song. Good to see him again, he was a really lovely person, sadly missed.
He signed my band Big World to MCA music back in the eighties when we were managed by Mickey Modern. Nice guy as I remember.
I’m very good friends with his sons and daughter… Just trying to work out which is the 6 year old you’re referring to! Great article…
It would be around 1987 – who was about that age then?
Nice to hear these comments from everyone. I’m his older son Angus. I think the six year old must have been my brother Tom. He would have been 8 years old then. We were living in Wendens Ambo, just near Saffron Walden at the time.
Tell Tom I’m sorry for cheating him but he was dead easy to fool.
Hi Angus,
I don’t want to come across as abrubt or too straight forward. I’m your second cousin – or third cousin – your dad and my dad were first cousins. My dad was Robert Brown, Annie Brown’s (formerly Ann Crane) son. Unfortunately, they’ve both passed away (my nan died in December 1992, and my dad 6 months later, in May 1993, aged 39). My dad was very proud of your dad, and back in the mid-80’s (when I was about 13), we got hold of your dad’s phone number, and I rang him. Although I’d never met him, or would have been a toddler when I did, I was excited to be getting the opportunity to speak to your dad, who was a bit of a legend in my house. I remember the address you mentioned above (Wendens), and I wrote to your dad, and was proud as punch when he replied to me. I was just having a nostalgic moment, and decided to look up “Charlie CraneI”, and come across this website, and when I seen your post, I just thought I’d let you know how proud my dad was of his cousin (your dad),Chalie. And I was too. He sounded like a great man. he was a lovely man to speak to on the phone. Unfortunately, my dad never seen Charlie again – he hadn’t seen him since the early 80’s I think??? But I never had the privilege of meeting your dad either, which was a shame.
I hope you didn’t mind me contacting you.
Best Regards,
David Brown
David, Just to say – you’re commenting on my website and not communicating directly with Angus who also commented. I have moderated your comment so that he wil be able to see it. I think it is a really nice message. I will contact you both separately to put you in touch with each other.
Hi Steve, I’m sorry I went off the point and directed my message to Angus. I didn’t mean to disrespect you or your website. I’m very impressed with your works by the way – the work that you have done, and the people that you have worked with and or wrote for. I’ve reecived your e-mail, and I will reply to you in person.
Thanks again Steve.
David
i can only remember him as Leroy Brown in 1975 One woman man of which i thought was some U.S soul singer
Hi Angus and Tom and everyone here.
I worked with Charlie at ABC Music (Anchor) for about 2 years and got to know him quite well. He and I got along very well as we both loved the same music. He also had a great sense of humour which sometimes got us into trouble, mainly me.
He knew so many writers and musicians and because of that I got to know some of them quite well. These were great years for me and I had a lot of fun. I always remember his generosity and willingness to get me more involved into the creative side of the business and for that I´ll always be thankful.
I remember one day he was excited about buying a house and eventually was successful with the bid. He told me that he spread a rumour that the place was haunted! Typical of Charlie. One night, after work, he took me to see the house and meet his wife Kate and Angus (and Tom, I think). This would have been about 1976 or 1977. It was the house with the looooooong pebble driveway which led to the House after passing the stables. Not sure where that was. It was near Saffron Walden but may have been nearer the A10.
Anyway I just rattled off what I could remember and great to come across this site. Let me know how you all are. All the best, Ron
Grateful to Pete Lynch for bringing me to your blog about Charlie Crane Steve. We both have reason to have fond memories of Charlie. He gave me several songwriting deals with various publishing companies he worked for during the 70s.
Such was our relationship that he became the voice on many of the records I produced at the time. And my God it was easier to get records released then wasn’t it. They were all productions deals without any acts as such. Nonetheless, we did have modest successes under the name Leroy Brown. “One Woman Man” was a good example. And also The Philadelphia Flyers.
A great tragedy that he passed away some years ago. We all miss him terribly.
Good to hear you’re still writing and looks like you’ve moved into the area that I’m in now, film production.
Good luck to you.
Mark
I new Charlie in the seventies and also Ron Liversedge. Charlie was such a nice, genuine chap and so nice to me. He always pops up in my thoughts from time to time. I was with Anchor records and Charlie was responsible for my single , SILVER DREAM. I was very saddened to hear he was no longer with us from Mark Wesley a few years ago.I too stayed at his house and met his wife and two kids.
He was a very nice bloke indeed and a mentor to me at the time. I likes him very much as most people who met him did.
I am grateful for the opportunity to say this
Kindest Regards
Kevin Kitchen
Sad to hear that Charlie passed away. He gave me my first job in the music business at MCA Music, back in ’84. Fond memories of some good times, he was one of the good guys.
I noticed that Angus made a reply! I have only just discovered this web site! My name was Lynn Jardine God mother of Anna Crane and your dad was my son’s godfadther back in late 70’s! I have lost contact with your Mum Kate can you please put me back in contact with her! She or you can find me on face book under the name if Lynn Smith …Bebington/Wirral! Would love to be back in touch x
Went right through school with Charlie. St Annes, Have many memories to pass on. Get in touch Angus.
terrykavanagh1@yahoo.co.uk
Such a talented fella. Please Stay has followed me all throughout my lifSad for the music worldthat Charlie passed. What heights could have reached.
If …I ….Got….On ….My ….Knees….And….I..
wasnt enough for my 16 year old knees to handle without actually hearing them sung by Charlie & band but from my bf Ann who was lucky enough to attend their concert the previous night in Glasgow 1967 , omg I cried , screamed like a 16 year old would do in those days… I am far from a 16 year old now but how I loved The Cryin Shames! That song as I grew up I knew by heart and sang it every time I got half drunk or half sober when we had a party @ our Glasgow get togethers, when it was my turn to sing! “oh how I knew” & You know I’ll always love you darling”
Thanks Charlie and band for my beautiful teenage memories of the sixties! Now in OZ but that song is still a party piece 🙏
Was Charlie known as Paul I am confused by some info on wiki I have an autograph of the Cryin Shames simply Paul but I thought they had a drummer called Paul also , can anyone clear this for me ?
I only ever knew him as “Charlie”
I have only just seen on line that Charlie has died so sad.i was friends with him and Kate many years ago when Angus and Anna were tiny tots.i would love to hear from Kate again please pass on my contact details.we were living in Royston then and Kate in barkway.
Maybe Kate will remember I let the children borrow my donkey for the children and got lose late at night in the fog poor Charlie had to drive up the road after him driving over his tether to stop him running home.just cannot remember the large Dulux dots name oh happy days then.
I was one of the original Cryin’ Shames,Phil Roberts, keyboard player.Charlie Gallagher was the original drummer and Charlie Crane used the name Paul to avoid confusion.Charlie and I went to his funeral and paid our respects to his wife but didn’t get into conversation as she was obviously upset.