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Edward Frank Albert (1937 – 11 November 1990) was an Australian early pioneer independent record producer, and founder of Albert Productions (part of his great grandfather's company Albert Music). In recognition of his contribution to the music industry, the Australasian Performing Right Association established the annual Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
Ted Albert and his brothers Tony and Robert were raised in the family home "Coolong" in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.Albert Family profile, Australian Financial Review Magazine, December 2009, Fairfax Media Ltd
In a letter dated June 1964 addressed to Alberts' New York-based lawyer, Alex Albert wrote in part:
the time is at hand for a real boom in local (Australian contemporary) compositions and recordings and we have therefore entered this field with much more drive than ever before. We have formed an artists and repertoire (A&R) department and have inaugurated a recording subsidiary we have called 'Albert Productions'.Ted Record producer, music publisher,
Albert Productions was established as J. Albert & Son's A&R department in late 1964 with the sole intention of signing and recording Australian artists.Company history Albert Music website Ted Albert was Albert Productions' first managing director. The company lacked any dedicated record facilities, but J. Albert & Son owned and operated Sydney commercial radio station 2UW, and made its studios and a theatre available to Albert Productions for recording and audition purposes.Abrahams C, (2005) Studio Connections: Studio Picture Book Later still, Alberts contracted EMI and its subsidiary Parlophone Records to handle record distribution. In late 1964 Billy Thorpe was the first act to sign to the Alberts label.
After arriving in London in that year, Albert hired EMI's Abbey Road Studios to record the band's next album, although he was replaced by freelance producer Shel Talmy to record their biggest hit "Friday on My Mind". The single reached No. 1 in Australia, No. 6 in the UK, and No. 16 in the United States.
At the time Vanda and Young were still living in England but upon hearing of Pasadena's chart success returned to Sydney. In 1973, Alberts opened a recording studio in Boomerang House, a building owned by the Albert family at 139 King Street in Sydney's central business district. Albert produced the Ted Mulry Gang's album Here We Are, and that album's single "Jump in My Car", in King Street.Abrahams C, (2005) Studio Connections. ALBERT STUDIO 1
During the 1970s and the early 1980s Albert Studios became one of Sydney's pre-eminent recording studios for recording contemporary music for artists, including pop artist William Shakespeare through to The Angels, Rose Tattoo, Heroes, Cheetah, Choirboys and internationally renowned band AC/DC. In addition the studios were much in demand by rock bands such as Cold Chisel and Midnight Oil or by blues music acts such as Graham Lowndes and for the recording of commercial radio jingles.
Albert invested considerable sums of time and money in equipping Alberts with state-of-the-art recording technology, and the facility was gradually expanded to accommodate four studios. By one account he would buy the latest console or multi-rack (technology) on the spot whilst on overseas business trips. For example, in 1978, Albert Productions installed a MCI JH-500 series mixing console, reputedly Australia's first automated console, acquired on one such trip. Interview with Colin Abrahams, No Nonsense AC/DC webzine. Weblink
On its release, the film of Strictly Ballroom garnered critical acclaim and was No.1 at the Australian box office in 1992. The film launched Baz Luhrmann's career in the Australian film industry. The soundtrack featured the Vanda and Young-penned tune "Love Is in the Air" performed by John Paul Young. With the film's international success, and the subsequent release of the new version of the song, the single peaked at number 2 on the Australian charts, and was a minor hit in the UK. The film subsequently received eight Australian Film Institute Awards, as well as the coveted Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes film festival.
Albert was a dedicated sailor and helmsman. His family had a long-standing association with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Albert raced the dragon class yachts Rawhiti AUS 111 & Rawhiti 11, AUS176, and he was a dual Prince Philip Cup, New South Wales Champion, and twice successful defender of the Sayonara Cup sailed in the Dragon Class. The Dragon class in Australia, Australian International Dragon Association, 2007
In 1992 the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) established the annual Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Service to Australian Music.
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