Andrew Lood Olham was producer and manager of The Rolling Stones, from 1963 to 1967. Photo: The Bob Bonis archive
Andrew Loog Oldham, the legendary music producer who propelled The Rolling Stones’ career to international stardom, currently resides in Chapinero, Bogotá. The life of the British icon has been deeply marked by his links with some of the most emblematic figures of music and fashion of the 20th century. But why did he leave his native London to move to the Colombian capital?
Why did Andrew Loog Oldham decide to move to Bogotá?
The British producer and musician is married to the former Colombian model Esther Farfanwhich is why she decided to stop residing in her native country to live in her partner’s country. Andrew Loog Oldham He moved to Colombia in 1984. However, his establishment in South American lands did not mean his retirement from the musical world, since he has collaborated with important rock figures from this region, such as Charlie Garcia.
consulted by the Ñ Magazine Regarding the reasons that led him to emigrate to Colombia, Oldham described the reason almost as an act of salvation: “I was immediately attracted to the place, as soon as I arrived. I felt great relief and relief and said: ‘I have found the answer. I don’t have to live and die in England’. Latin America brought my heart back to my chest”he declared.
Andrew Loog Oldham in his home in Bogotá. Photo: Instagram
“Maybe it’s because I was the only one in my family—aside from my eldest son—who was born in England. My father was American, my mother was born in Australia, her parents were Polish Jews. I’m not tied to English soil. Except that be Soho,” concluded the producer.
How did Andrew Loog Oldham discover The Rolling Stones?
Andrew Loog Oldham He met the members of The Rolling Stones in April 1963, near the Crawdaddy Club. Being 19 years old at the time, Oldham drew on his previous experience as a the Beatles and assumed the role of manager and producer of the band between 1963 and 1967. Likewise, in 1965, together with his partner Tony Calder, he founded the record label Immediate Records.
Andrew Loog Oldham and The Rolling Stones at the RCA studios, 1965. Photo: The Bob Bonis archive
He is credited with cementing their image as ‘bad boys’, in contrast to the figure of The Beatles. “Your mother would love for her daughter to marry a Beatle, but never a Rolling Stone”, he stated in an interview. However, this was not the only premise to build the image of the London band. The producer changed the name from The Rollin’ Stones to The Rolling Stones; He fired the keyboardist from the band, Ian Stewart, whom he considered to be out of tune with the group; He asked the band to develop a unique look, but inspired by the New Wave.
Why did Andrew Loog Oldham leave The Rolling Stones?
According to some versions, the relationship between Andrew Loog Oldham and the members of The Rolling Stones was broken after a series of arrests of Mick jagger, Keith Richards and Brian Jones. The producer decided to abandon them. Furthermore, it was at that same time that he began drug abuse, which would lead him to undergo intense electroshock treatments.
What does the word Rolling Stones mean?
The name of the iconic British band comes from an old expression from their region: “A rolling stone does not collect moss”. This phrase was also popularized by the musician Muddy Waterswho used it as the title of a song.
