Martin Kelly (musician) facts for kids

Martin Kelly was born on July 17, 1965. He is a talented person who has worked in many parts of the music world. He's been a musician, a manager for bands, and even ran a record label. He is most famous for being a partner with Jeff Barrett at Heavenly Recordings. This was a British independent record label that they ran together from 1993 to 2009.

Martin Kelly's Early Life and Music Beginnings

Martin Kelly was born in RAF Akrotiri, a British air base in Cyprus. His father, Michael "Manx" Kelly, was an RAF Squadron leader. He later started the Rothmans aerobatic display team.

In 1968, Martin's family moved to the UK. They settled near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. When his father passed away in 1976, and with the rise of punk rock music, Martin's life changed. By the late 1970s, he loved music. He started playing guitar and bass in different school bands.

In 1983, at age 17, Martin formed a band called Episode Four. His brother Paul Kelly, Johnny Wood, and Spencer Smith were also in the band. Episode Four released only one EP, a record called 'Strike Up Matches' in 1986. This record became very popular with collectors from the C86 indie music time.

East Village Band: A Cult Classic

In late 1986, Episode Four met Jeff Barrett. He ran Head Records and worked in PR for Creation Records. Barrett wanted to sign the band to his label. But he suggested they pick a new name first. The band chose East Village.

Their first single was recorded just as the Head label closed in 1987. Barrett then started a new label called Sub Aqua. East Village released two EPs on this label in 1987 and 1988. In 1989, the band began working on their first album, "Drop Out." This album was finally released in 1993. This was two years after the band had already broken up. Many people now see "Drop Out" as a "lost classic." Original records from Episode Four and East Village are now very valuable. The band has become quite famous among music fans.

Heavenly Recordings: A New Music Label

While still with East Village, Martin Kelly started working for Jeff Barrett's company, Capersville. He helped with public relations for many artists. These included Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, New Order, and My Bloody Valentine. During this time, Kelly and Barrett became good friends.

In 1990, Barrett came up with the idea for a new record label called Heavenly. Over the next 20 years, Heavenly helped start the careers of many famous bands. These included Saint Etienne, Manic Street Preachers, Beth Orton, Ed Harcourt, Doves, and The Magic Numbers.

After a short time working for Alan McGee at Creation Records in 1992, Kelly joined Barrett. In 1993, Barrett asked him to become his partner at Heavenly. At that time, Kelly also started managing Saint Etienne, one of the label's main bands. He still manages them today.

The Heavenly Social Club

In 1994, Kelly helped start The Heavenly Social club. He worked with Jeff Barrett, Robin Turner, and Nick Dewey. The Social became a very important place in London's club scene. It even helped create a new type of music called big beat. Martin Kelly is still a partner in The Social. It is a nightclub and bar in central London that is open seven days a week.

In 2009, Kelly changed his focus from making records to publishing songs. He set up Heavenly Songs Limited in early 2010. This was done through Bucks Music.

Martin Kelly: Author of Guitar Books

In June 2010, Martin Kelly's first book was published. It was called Fender: The Golden Age 1946–1970. Martin wrote it with Terry Foster. His brother Paul designed and took the photos for the book. It tells the story of the early years of Fender musical instruments. This was when the company still had ties to its creator, Leo Fender. The book has been published in many languages around the world.

In November 2021, Martin's second book came out. It was titled Rickenbacker Guitars: From the Frying Pan into the Fireglo. Martin wrote this book, and his brother Paul designed it and took the photos. Ron O'Keefe wrote the introduction. Martin is currently working on a new book. It will be about Vox guitars made in the 1960s.

Heavenly Films: Making Movies

As the manager of Saint Etienne, Martin Kelly helped make three full-length films. The band and Paul Kelly made these movies between 2004 and 2008.

The first film was Finisterre. It was a documentary about London. Paul Kelly and Kieran Evans directed it. The film came out at the same time as Saint Etienne's album of the same name. It received great reviews. What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day? (2005) and This Is Tomorrow (2007) were also directed by Paul Kelly. These films helped show that the team could make high-quality documentaries.

In autumn 2010, brothers Paul and Martin started Heavenly Films Limited. They worked with Bob Stanley from Saint Etienne and Kieran Evans. Their goal was to make a series of new documentary films.

Personal Life

Martin Kelly married Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne in 2004.

Selected Discography

• East Village - Hot Rod Hotel 1994 LP
• East Village - Drop Out 1993 LP

Selected Filmography

• Finisterre 2002
• What Have You Done Today Mervyn Day? 2005
• Lawrence of Belgravia 2011
• How We Used To Live 2014
• "Dexys: Nowhere Is Home" 2014