Question about Roxy Music/Ferry

Posted by: Jonathan Gorse on 14 February 2012

I'm going through a bit of a resurgence of interest in Bryan Ferry/Roxy at the moment - they were one of my favourite bands when I went through what my Mother cruelly refers to as 'my Byron period' - lovestruck, aged 17-18, wrote a lot of poetry, took to wearing long overcoats and shuffling around smoking St Moritz cigarettes and trying to be enigmatic...

Can't say I have listened to a lot of Roxy in recent years but am really enjoying rediscovering them - but one question that has always bugged me - was the video for Avalon really filmed at Ferry's country pile near Fittleworth in West Sussex? (as an old Uni friend claimed) I'd love to believe it but even by the standards of wealthy rock stars it's quite a pad! Just google it - you can see it on youtube etc.

It's rather nearby where I live and there's a fine pub in the village too so I plan to explore the area by bicycle when the weather warms up.

Jonathan

Posted on: 14 February 2012 by Officer DBL

A bit of Ferry trivia for you. I went to the same infant and junior schools as Brian Ferry. He was a couple of years ahead of me.

Brad

Posted on: 15 February 2012 by Chief Chirpa

Jonathan, the video for Avalon was in fact shot at Mentmore Towers, in Mentmore, Buckinghamshire.

Yes, it's quite a pad, and unsurprisingly, it's also featured in plenty of films, such as Eyes Wide Shut.

Posted on: 16 February 2012 by Jonathan Gorse

Chirpa,

Thanks for answering a question that has always provoked much speculation whenever I play the album with friends.

I have just learned that the entire Roxy back catalogue is to be released in 24/96 on Blu-ray later this month which will prove a tantalising yet expensive proposition I think to replace my old vinyl copies. In some ways I will feel slightly sad that my gyrodec might cease to hold the high ground for sound quality in my system it has held for the past 15 years.

Thanks for the info,

Jonathan