HISTORY OF THE MELLOTRON - Prog Rockers Couldn't Go Without

In this video, we look into how the Mellotron was invented and became a staple of the rock music scene in the 1960s and 70s.
Links to video sources:
History of the Mellotron | NAMM 2020 • History of the Mellotr...
The Mellotron: A Keyboard with the Power of an Orchestra (1965) | British Pathé • The Mellotron: A Keybo...

[@kbrewski1]

The Mellotron is a huge reason I was attracted to Progressive Rock in the mid 70s as a teenager. First via the classic 7 albums of the Moody Blues, then after hearing the incredible majesty of Tony Banks with Genesis, and of course King Crimson. The ability to recreate orchestral swells and choirs of voices made those 70s albums sound so magical and emotional (ie Epitaph on the first Crimson album, Watcher of the Skies, Can Utility and the Coastliners, Suppers Ready on Genesis Foxtrot, Firth of Fifth and Cinema Show on Selling England etc etc). From there Yes, Camel, Barclay James Harvest, Tangerine Dream. I went to 8 NEARfests between 2001>2012 (Northeast Art Rock Festival) and at the 2003 NEARfest in Trenton NJ, the Swedish band Anglagard from the "3rd wave" of Prog (cross King Crimson with some Genesis) used THREE MELLOTRONS on stage!! Their set was delayed for awhile trying to get the trons set up, but wow, Mellotron Heaven for 2000 Prog Heads!! Just an awesome look to see 3 genuine Mellotrons being played on stage and an incredible concert. Camel also played that year and I think used one of those mellotrons in their set.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

We are big fans of all those early Genesis records - formative stuff - plus Yes, Camel, KC... going to have to look up Anglagard and check them out - thanks! -G

[@neutralearth1061]

Thank you for the cool video! We love the Mellotron and use it as often as possible on all of our albums. We have an original M400 Mellotron with 4 tape frames, Two (digital) Mellotron Micro's, and a (digital) M4000D. We record our original music for fun and release them on our KZbin channel.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

That's awesome! Checked out some of your Strange News album; very nice stuff. - G

[@zeljkofatzek3670]

When talking about Mellotron, it should be stressed out that Mike Pinder was originally its supreme service technician and used his skill and influence to "breakout" the instrument into Rock hierarchy. It was him who introduced the instrument to Lennon who was so fascinated to include it in Strawberry right away, bcs he had trouble with intro idea. In the process he created the best Mellotron intro of all time.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Appreciate your adding that info - thanks! - G

[@chrisdale3087]

Actually Lennon purchased his own Mellotron on Aug 12, 1965, predating his first meeting of Mike Pinder in December of 1965. So Mike did not introduce it to him, though he did talk about how useful it was to the Beatles while they were on tour together with the Moodies.

[@pasteye1671]

In the mid-70s in Nottingham England we had a semi-pro band called Limelight. They used a Mellotron on their cover of Stairway to Heaven. I saw them in 1976 at The Boat Blub at the side of the river Trent. The stage was in a room over a rowing club. So the Mellotron had to be carried up a steep flight of stairs. A daunting prospect!

[@thekitowl]

@@pasteye1671 used to love going to see Limelight. The band I was in purchased limelight’s first Mellotron from them & we also ended up with their Mercedes van.

[@AndyKing1963]

Tangerine Dream had four on stage, three M400s and one Mark V

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

that figures!

[@chrisdale3087]

They also used the Birotron as well.

[@AndyKing1963]

@@chrisdale3087 on stage in 1978 and it was a disaster

[@amanofatoms5786]

Hi. First time guest. Cool show, guys. Thanks for the info. Vale Mike Pinder (passed recently), mentioned here a few times already. His hearty Mellotron element was a real difference maker in the Moody Blues sounds and songs of their unique 'classic seven' era, a series of LPs which imho should see the Moodies high on anyone's list of greatest ALBUM Bands. Nights in White Satin barely scratches the surface of their production. Have you two heard those whole albums? Maybe you're a little young for that, and me verging vintage, but you'll hear a tasteful, humble, pioneer master of the Mellotron in action throughout. And what an amazing revolutionary/evolutionary fractal burst for human music and humanity was psychedelia, which a relatively few special geniuses were able to (usually beautifully) embellish with this remarkable instrument, then literally cutting-edge - cutting AND splicing! Those tapes! "F#%k! Not again!", they'd say. Yet as professionals, they persevered and made the rare beast work a treat. For music's sake. Anyway, Subscribed. Peace & Word, d

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Thank you!

[@EnviroDouglas]

I purchased a M4000D rack and love it!! I couldn’t believe how excited I got when first racking it and plugging it in. It’s the best option for me and no tape hassle. I wanted it to add an organic feel to my mostly electronic loop based beats. I’m eyeing the 5 card bundle of every Chamberlin recording ever made. I enjoyed your video because it delved deeper into the history of the Mellotron more than any others here on KZbin ❤

[@detheridge1951]

I used to own both a Mellotron Mk2 and a 400, (I still wish I did) and there's something ineffable about playing the real thing. It's not only the sound, but the feel and even the smell of that enticing mixture of wood, metal and tape. Mellotrons were no more and no less reliable as any other instrument of the 1960s. Kick it around like a beaten up speaker cab and it would fail - and so would you if you were treated the same way. When maintained properly (and Mike Pinder having worked for Mellotronics knew how to keep his running, as well as developing technical improvements) it would keep going nicely. The irony is that the first digital samplers (all 8 bit and grungy) designed to replace the Mellotron in the 1980s sounded infinitely WORSE than the instrument they were designed to replace. It's wonderful that the Melly has regained its place as one of the most iconic of instruments, with both a sound and a character all its own which attracts wealthy musicians to the original, rather than a digital receation. After all, would you rather play a vintage Les Paul, or a software recreation? No contest. See what I mean?

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Really appreciate your comment! Great information. Also, safe to say both of us are jealous that you've owned mellotrons!

[@eddiecriglington400]

Speaking of the Mellotron, If you get to some Prog’ Rock, I hope you’re able to listen to ‘YES’. There’s a lot of magnificent music. 🎶❤️🎶

[@rogercormier5610]

Check out Bog Elf🙂