*DENNY CORDELL LAVARACK* *Record Producer, Horse Breeder, Trainer, Gentleman and friend to many.* *In this Appreciation for The Irish Times, music promoter Michael Purcell recalls a little of Denny' s Life and Times * Following a brief illness Denny died on February 18th 1995 at the young age of 51. Acknowledged throughout the world as one of the most influential record producers in the music entertainment business, Denny had lived among us in Carlow at Corries House, Bagenalstown since 1979. The artists with whom he was associated reads like a "Who's Who" of modern day entertainers, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Procal Harum, The Moody Blues, The Move, T.Rex, Marc Bolan, J.J.Cale, Phoebe Snow, Dwight Twilley, the Gap Band, Toots and the Maytals, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Chet Baker, Joe Cocker, David Bowie, Georgie Fame, Freddy King, Leon Russell, Marianne Faithfull and in more recent times The Cranberries. In an appreciation by Bill Graham published in "*Hot Press*" (23rd March 1995). Bill stated that "a radio station could devote a full days schedule to the music of the noted performers and other secondary artists with whom Denny was associated and there would not be a bum track". Leaving public school at 17 he went to Paris where Denny tracked down the great jazz trumpeter Chet Baker and briefly became his manager, this was to be Denny's apprenticeship in the world of music. It was at the age of 21 that Denny working in the " *Radio Caroline* " based office of Jon Fenton's management company, got his first big break. The promoters of a new band called the Moody Blues were looking for a hit single for the group. Denny convinced the band to record the Bessie Banks song "*Go Now*" it turned out to be a huge hit. Denny had drawn up a business contract with the group and despite their best efforts to do so the Moody Blues could not back out of the agreement. Denny cleared a five-figure-sum from the deal. Later he was to set up his own independent production company, "*Straight Ahead*", it was to produce some of the great music sounds of the 60's. Denny had another colossal hit with the classic "*A Whiter Shade of Pale*", (1967) for Procal Harum. This arrangement was to earn him £5 million or "five cool and funky big ones", as he called the amount. Another classic produced by Denny was Lennon and Mc Cartney's, " *With a Little Help from **My Friends*", for the soul singer Joe Cocker in 1968. Later Denny was to take Joe Cocker and the Grease Band on the Legendary "*Mad Dogs and Englishmen*", coast to coast tour of the United States in a cavalcade of 19 stretch limos, culminating in their appearance at the Woodstock Free Festival. The Grease Band included Gary Busey on drums, J.J.Cale on guitar, Leon Russell on keyboards and Rita Coolidge on back-up vocals. In 1978 Denny established "*Flippers*", a successful (unlike my own venture of the same period) roller disco club in Los Angeles. One could fill a book with details of Denny's further involvement and achievements on the music scene. In fact *the* rock history, "*The Sound of the* *City*", devotes three pages to him. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, six years later he moved with his family to Brazil before being sent in England to be educated. (At the time of the Falklands war Denny had his Carlow home painted in the Argentinian national colours). Moving to Jamaica where he lived in a large shack on the beach, Denny set up MANGO RECORDS with his friend Chris Blackwell. Despite driving a Ferrari (Reg.No RAAAS) Denny always managed to be late for appointments. His Jamaican sojourn yielded him two prize catches: Bob Marley and the Wailers and Toots and the Maytals. In fact it was Denny who introduced Rasta music to the United States. Denny, "*retired*", to Carlow Ireland in his early 30's to breed and train racehorses, and to "*Party*". He was to enjoy much success in all three enterprises. Despite the achievements in his horse training career (Baba Karam, Tawkin and Modest were among the more useful performers he trained for owners such as Ron Wood and John Daley) and success as a breeder (having shares in Alzao, Niniski, Persian Bold and Ahonoora) Denny's financial losses were to run into seven figures. This was to result in his comeback in the international music scene in latter years. Returning as Artists and Repertoire man for " *Island Records*", Denny quickly proceeded to pick up the threads. In 1993 he was masterminding the rise of the Cranberries who were discovered by his eldest son, Barney in Limerick and was also associated with Melissa Etheridge's success in the USA. Just before his untimely death Denny was concentrating on forming a new production, publishing and consultancy company "Realisation" with Imago founder Kate Hyman. His last studio outing was for Marianne Faithfull's new album "*A Secret Life*". Paul Mc Guiness of U2 recalls Denny, inviting us all to a party in Corries House, Bagenlstown and saying he was going to spend what was left of his money on the party and go back to work in the record business, Paul added that " Denny was well on his way to making his second fortune, he had clearly established in the industries mind that he could do it again." Denny was also a keen greyhound man and achieved a measure of success both in California and Ireland. Joining with one of the country's top handlers, Brendan Murphy, the pair rejoiced in the success of the classic-placed Malibu Tip and the coursing dog Some Skunk which won the Waterloo Cup at Altcar. Pirate Irwin writing a tribute to Denny in the British paper: "*The independent*" stated: On the Irish Racing scene Denny was a breath of fresh air compared to the Tipperary- dominated fake glamour set. Suddenly Ireland had a genuine star bestriding its proudest stage- from the Curragh to Gowran Park, his local track. With his mop of grey curls, a Marlboro dangling from his lip and a Charismatic clan of his children and step-children he could not but add real style and eccentricity to Irish racing. The Daily Telegraph noted in its appreciation of Denny's life that: Cordell liked to put his feet up on peoples desks (he was something of a shoe fetishist) and to scatter broken matches on their plush carpeting. He was mulish in negotiation, but knew how to leave them laughing even as he walked off with their swag. "You're never alone with a grand", he would say. Further down the piece continues: however hard he lived Cordell retained his good looks with wry and humorous face beneath a head of prematurely grey hair. Caroline Kennedy once described him as having "a head like Beethoven". He was a master of the art of living, but from the female point of view remained undomesticated. His Carlow neighbour and friend Emilio "Mim" Scala recalled: Denny Cordell was one of the greatest hosts you could find. He loved good food, was a great cook and there would always be a first class bottle of wine at Corries House. He could be with the jet set one day but the next he would be happily back in Corries, doing a spot of fishing or shooting with his friends. Denny had made his all-weather gallop available to many horse trainers, local wonder horse Danoli was one that benefited from this generous action. His ability to live out Kipling's : " walk with kings- nor lose the common touch", meant that one could meet Denny in the local bookies or pub or in the Castle Tavern in my own street having a quiet chat with Sean at the counter or playing cards in the corner with the lads and never guess that he was a celebrated player in the international music scene. Never missing a stroke he had in the early days of satellite broadcasting formed a syndicate to bid for the SIS rights, he was just pipped at the post for the contract. He also devised the Stable-mate racing club which brought 500 shareholders into racing most of whom benefited when .019 of the club's 20 horses were winners. Brought from the Corries in a horse-drawn hearse Denny was buried in a quiet corner of Lorum Church cemetery, dressed in a Rhinestone Cowboy outfit, wearing his boots. His copy of Ellington 55 in his arms with a bottle of Irish whiskey and a spliff placed beside him. Two Rastafarian Members of the Century Steel Band filled in the grave. His life was then celebrated with a wake in O'Shea's of Borris in what was described as the biggest hooley since Ireland beat Italy in the World Cup. The end had come fast and with little warning, feeling pain, Denny consulted his doctor, Lymphoma was diagnosed, a month later despite the valiant efforts of the staff of the Mater Hospital, Denny passed away. Eleven weeks later his first grand-child Lucille was born. Twice married, he had two sons Barney and Tarka from his first marriage to Mia, son Milo and daughter Emerald from his second marriage to Theodora and a two year old son Finbar from his relationship with Marina Guinness. Denny is also survived by his mother Mary and his brother Andrew. His delights and interests were many and varied, family, friends, music, horses, dogs, an oul gamble, wild fowling, paintings, books, socialising and laughter. His inimitable self combined with his early death will ensure that his absence will be felt more strongly in the years ahead. Sure it must have been someone like Denny that Burns had in mind when he wrote: IF THERE'S ANOTHER WORLD, HE LIVES IN BLISS IF THERE'S NONE, HE MADE THE BEST OF THIS. M.P.