A few years ago, I was contacted by a great friend of mine, music manager, Claire Roth. She asked me if I could come along to Abbey Road Studios and photograph a lady that she had just started managing. She told me that the artist was absolutely lovely and it was a very exciting project. I have known Claire for quite a long time and think the world of her, so, of course, I said yes. A week or so later, I arrived at Abbey Road Studios, which I love. I have no idea how many times over the years I have worked there, but it must be up in the hundreds. I have to say I always love looking at the photographic history on the walls in the corridors there. I am proud that I am one of the photographers who have their photos on those walls. No, not a photo of me! But the photos were taken by me. So, once I got through the entrance and past the photos, I walked toward the studio we were working in and met the artist, Miel. She was delightful and I quickly and quietly started to document the project. As the day unfolded and people started to arrive, I met her team; funnily enough, most of them I already knew. I was thrilled to walk into the control room of Studio 2 to meet her producer, who happened to be my great (long-time) friend and uber-talented producer Andy Wright (Simple Minds, Chrissie Hynde, Pavarotti, Jeff Beck, Simply Red, Gibert O’Sullivan, Eurthymics, plus, many many more). So, this first meeting and shoot are where this journey began. We had a delightful time at Abbey Road and a few other London-based studios during the early days.
Miel in the legendary Studio 2 at Abbey Road. Yes, this is the actual studio where many superstrs crerated their magic. This includes, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and too many others to mention.
Soon after the recording of some tracks at Abbey Road Studios, we travelled down to various locations in Europe to shoot a few music videos. My job was to document the making of the video and create some wonderful portraits to be used on any music album or single covers, along with photos for press articles, magazines, newspaper revues and social media posts.
This is one of my portraits of Miel that I shot in Spain.
Another of my portraits of Miel, in Spain.
The team at the ‘Wrap Party’ at the finish of the video shoot in Spain,
Once the recordings were completed and gigs were becoming more of a regular thing in the UK, it wasn’t long before Miel and her team were speaking about doing some gigs in the US. Now, we all know what a difficult territory that is to win over. I have worked with quite a few big artists over the years that couldn’t crack that market. So, other than the obvious things that Miel could bring to the table, like talent, drive, determination and the will, one also needs luck and some seriously good and talented people. Miel was very aware of this, she is very astute.
Now, I have spent around 45 years in the music business, and because of that, I know a lot of people. In fact, I know a lot of the ‘right’ people. So, after a while of me working with Miel and having many conversations about the music business, she discovered that I was very well-connected. We discussed the possibility of a trip over to New York to get a feel for the NY music business scene. So, it wasn’t long before we were off to New York also with her manager Claire, and friend and confidant, Kate. As I mentioned, the purpose of the trip was for me to introduce Miel to some of my trusted friends, the big hitters in the music business. These wonderful people were more than able to help us prepare the groundwork for a small East Coast tour.
My wonderful lifelong friend, Dave Novik, on the left and me on the right; Dave had spent his life in the music business, starting in the post room at a small label called Magnet Records in York Street, London and then becoming Vice president of Universal Classics. This self-timed and badly framed photo was taken by me just outside the hotel where I had introduced Miel to Dave. We had just finished a meeting with Miel, and Dave was about to head off on his way across town.
Miel also wanted to fulfil her ambition of playing at The Carlyle in Manhattan. This venue is a small, cosy, prestigious and quite magical venue. Many of the world’s greatest musicians have performed, and where celebrities dined whilst watching others perform. Throughout the years, if you were lucky enough to get inside, you could have seen The Kennedys, Truman Capote, Marilyn Monroe, Hunter S.Thompson, Elizabeth Taylor, Woody Allen, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. On one occasion, Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn were spotted having a heart-to-heart in the lobby. Yes, The Carlyle is quite a special place. Miel didn’t book the venue at that time, but that is something that maybe she can do now that the world is coming back to life after the pandemic. It would be quite something to see Miel perform at the Carlyle. and to have her name added to those who have performed there.
Miel at the Carlyle Club. Hopefully, she will return there to make her New York debut soon.
Miel leaving the Carlyle Club, New York.
Claire, Kate & Miel walking through Manhattan.
Miel and I had a walk around Central Park one afternoon. We sat and chatted for 4 or 5 hours, where we put the world to rights and then headed back to the hotel for dinner with the team. This a better-framed self-portrait than the photo of Dave Novik and me.
I have seen Miel perform in small, medium and large venues over the past years, and I have to say, the intimate, cosy venues are, for me, quite magical and, in a funny way, more exciting.
Miel has now performed at many theatres and venues in the UK, including the London Palladium. Yes, that is the same stage as The Beatles, Carmen Miranda, Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney (George’s auntie) the Andrews Sisters, Bob Hope, Liza Minelli, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Sammy David Jr., Frankie Laine, Slade, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye and many, many others. So, she was in good company. I took this photograph below, backstage at the Palladium.
Miel, backstage at the London Palladium just before she took to the stage.
Last November, Miel was asked to open for Simply Red in her hometown of Zurich. This was to be her biggest audience to date. I think there were around 15000 people in that arena. It was a magical night, and the crowd were so supportive. Miel and the band were on fire!
Here is a shot backstage of Kate, Andy Wright, Caire Roth and Miel.
Backstage at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland with Kate, Andy, Claire & Miel.
It’s quite important for me to be in the right place at the right time. So, capturing Miel as she finished her set and was leaving the stage in Zurich was, for me, essential. It freezes that moment in time for eternity. This is when Miel is serenely leaving that enormous stage as the crowd of approximately 15000 shows her the ‘love’.
Here is Miel leaving the stage at the end of her phenomenal homecoming performance, which was to approximately 15000 people in Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland. I would say her largest audience to date.
I can’t wait to see what is next for the amazing Miel…
I have to say that over the years, Miel and I have got to know each other, and I am so proud to call Miel an amazing friend. She is more than an artist to me, she is a truly wonderful person and a friend with a heart of gold.
As soon as I know any Miel news, I will post details so you can all hopefully come along and join the party and become part of our Miel family. By all means, drop me an email at danny@dannyclifford.com if you would like to know more about forthcoming Miel events, shows and releases.