11 Feb Archive: Normie Rowe 1966 Airline Ticket to London
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In early 1966, Ritchie Yorke had the itch to travel. He approached the management of one of Australia’s top pop stars, Normie Rowe, with a plan to launch his international career. The label liked the plan and jumped on board, giving Ritchie the job of International Operations Manager at Sunshine Records.
The Daily Telegraph quoted Ritchie as saying that “I feel the right thing for Normie is to be in the right place at the right time. The right place at the moment is Europe.” By the 21st of May, Ritchie had arrived in London and began to set up meetings with television agencies and record labels.
So on the 31st of August, Normie Rowe flew out from Sydney bound for London with the intention of a 3 month concert tour, as well as the recording of new material and promotional television and radio appearances. Ritchie met him at the airport and the two began their campaign.
Normie landed in London on September 1st and spent his first two days settling in and seeing the sights. On his first day in town he traveled to the Serpentine in Hyde Park for a swim, although after feeling the water his mind was changed. The next day was much busier, spent shopping at the famous Carnaby Street boutiques, visiting landmarks like Trafalgar Square as well as meetings with Polydor executives, his agent Eddie Jarrett and Kim Fowley. He also performed two press interviews and went on a tour of London clubs, dances and discotheque which continued well into the early morning. Normie now had the lay of the land and was really ready to get to work.