Klaus Wunderlich by Alan Ashton
My first introduction to the music of Klaus Wunderlich was through the purchase of one of his first LPs released in the United Kingdom. It was around this time that I began to produce and present my weekly programmes of theatre and electronic organ music on the local radio station, BBC Radio Manchester… now known as Greater Manchester Radio, or GMR for short.
During the early days of the programme, I learnt that Klaus was to visit Manchester as part of his very first UK tour, designed to promote his LPs which were by that time becoming extremely popular.
Research uncovered that a lady in Blackpool had taken on the role of setting up a Fan Club. Thus the Klaus Wunderlich Appreciation Society (KWAS) was born and until 1978 was run by Dorothy Timperley. I travelled to Blackpool to interview her for one of the programmes and some years later we got married! Whenever Klaus toured the UK we made a point of meeting and inevitably I always made a point of interviewing him either for the radio show or for organ magazines.
In 1996 Klaus made a decision, based upon a number of factors, to close down the KWAS. By this time all his contractual obligations to various record companies had come to an end, and with ever changing musical tastes, the public were not buying his records in sufficient numbers to warrant their production.
He decided to go it alone and began to produce and market his own recordings. At about this time I wrote to him with an idea to produce a Discography that would set out in some chronological sequence his output of recordings since day one. At first he was not keen on the idea, but eventually agreed and even offered to check and correct any mistakes. Letters and draft copies were exchanged over a two year period and finally he gave his blessing to the finished production.
During the early days of the programme, I learnt that Klaus was to visit Manchester as part of his very first UK tour, designed to promote his LPs which were by that time becoming extremely popular.
Research uncovered that a lady in Blackpool had taken on the role of setting up a Fan Club. Thus the Klaus Wunderlich Appreciation Society (KWAS) was born and until 1978 was run by Dorothy Timperley. I travelled to Blackpool to interview her for one of the programmes and some years later we got married! Whenever Klaus toured the UK we made a point of meeting and inevitably I always made a point of interviewing him either for the radio show or for organ magazines.
In 1996 Klaus made a decision, based upon a number of factors, to close down the KWAS. By this time all his contractual obligations to various record companies had come to an end, and with ever changing musical tastes, the public were not buying his records in sufficient numbers to warrant their production.
He decided to go it alone and began to produce and market his own recordings. At about this time I wrote to him with an idea to produce a Discography that would set out in some chronological sequence his output of recordings since day one. At first he was not keen on the idea, but eventually agreed and even offered to check and correct any mistakes. Letters and draft copies were exchanged over a two year period and finally he gave his blessing to the finished production.
WUNDERLICH STORIES - The Sequel to WUNDERLICH!
Golden Days
Ever since he passed away fans and enthusiasts have wanted to know just which of all recordings his 15 Awards were presented to him for. After considerable investigative research and careful study of the only complete set of Award photos, this video offers most of the answers, for the very first time.
The list is not 100% complete for reasons stated, but in the next 20 minutes you will undoubtedly enjoy pictures and music that you have never seen or heard before… and perhaps obtain the answers you have always wanted. Please enjoy…
The list is not 100% complete for reasons stated, but in the next 20 minutes you will undoubtedly enjoy pictures and music that you have never seen or heard before… and perhaps obtain the answers you have always wanted. Please enjoy…
When viewing in full screen please select 'HD' as this will improve your viewing.
About Alan Ashton
Alan Ashton
The Discography
Sorry, but the discography is no longer available
Alan Ashton at Radio Manchester in 1979
Upon leaving school he became a trainee cinema projectionist: a profession he followed for over 40 years. Even before leaving school he had always enjoyed the thrilling sight and sound of the cinema organ, and commenced collecting organ recordings from around the world. Until recently that collection, together with tapes, cassettes and CDs, was one of the largest and most comprehensive in the UK.
However, the entire tape library has been accepted as a gift to the American Theatre Organ Society and now forms part of their vast archives. After leaving school he was employed by Associated British Cinemas, a leading cinema chain, and remained with them, excluding a three period in the Royal Air Force, for 15 years.
It was during this period he began broadcasting for a local Hospital Radio Network in Lancashire. In 1971, by this time employed at the huge Granada Television Studios in Manchester, he was invited by the BBC in Manchester to produce and present a 13 week trial series of theatre and electronic organ music programmes.That programme, PEDAL, PERCUSSION & PIPES: the title was changed to ORGANISED KEYBOARDS when BBC Radio Manchester began transmitting in stereo, remained part of the North West airwaves for close on 18 years.
However, the entire tape library has been accepted as a gift to the American Theatre Organ Society and now forms part of their vast archives. After leaving school he was employed by Associated British Cinemas, a leading cinema chain, and remained with them, excluding a three period in the Royal Air Force, for 15 years.
It was during this period he began broadcasting for a local Hospital Radio Network in Lancashire. In 1971, by this time employed at the huge Granada Television Studios in Manchester, he was invited by the BBC in Manchester to produce and present a 13 week trial series of theatre and electronic organ music programmes.That programme, PEDAL, PERCUSSION & PIPES: the title was changed to ORGANISED KEYBOARDS when BBC Radio Manchester began transmitting in stereo, remained part of the North West airwaves for close on 18 years.
In excess of 600 programmes were produced and presented: the early years saw them recorded in advance of transmission, but eventually the programmes, by now 60 minutes a week, were transmitted live. In the early 1980's he co-founded the Association of Organ Enthusiasts, and as their Vice Chairman was actively involved in the production of some of the very first electronic organ music Festivals which took place in England, Spain & Holland.
Around this same period he was invited to review the latest organ recordings and wrote articles for a number of leading commercial organ world magazines, including AOE Organ Times and MSS Studios "ORGAN1st" magazine.
Now retired, he and his wife Dorothy live in Cornwall from where he continues to have a consuming interest in the world of organ music. You are invited to write with any comments, corrections or additions for the Klaus Wunderlich Discography, and your letter will be personally acknowledged.
Around this same period he was invited to review the latest organ recordings and wrote articles for a number of leading commercial organ world magazines, including AOE Organ Times and MSS Studios "ORGAN1st" magazine.
Now retired, he and his wife Dorothy live in Cornwall from where he continues to have a consuming interest in the world of organ music. You are invited to write with any comments, corrections or additions for the Klaus Wunderlich Discography, and your letter will be personally acknowledged.
Klaus and Alan Ashton at his first record signing in Manchester.
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Please note that clicking the 'return to our website' button after clicking the 'subscribe' button will take you to our organ.co.uk site. Click the 'back' button in your browser to get back to this page.