Charles Blackwell

Charles Blackwell (born Ramsey 20 May 1940 – 14 August 2024) was an English arranger, record producer and songwriter. He began his career in music publishing offices in Denmark Street, London. At the age of 18 he was music director of Joe Meek's record label. He became a prolific studio arranger and record producer in the 1960s and 1970s with a string of hits, and recorded with many famous artistes. He was later commissioned to orchestrate Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" for a recording to be played at every sitting of the European Parliament.

Early life and career Charles Blackwell was born in Leytonstone, Essex, on 20 May 1940. His parents separated when he was young and he was sent to live with his grandparents, where he found solace in his grandmother's old upright piano and began picking out tunes. In the 1990s, he co-wrote a number of hits in Europe for David Hasselhoff. In 2005, he was the arranger and musical director of the African dance stage show Sun Dance. He was later commissioned by the European Parliament to orchestrate and conduct the Anthem of Europe ("Ode to Joy" by Beethoven) with a 70-man orchestra, for a new recording that is played at every parliamentary sitting.

Charles Blackwell died on 14 August 2024 at the age of 84.

Discography Those Plucking Strings - Charles Blackwell and his Orchestra (2006, RPM Records)