Zella was a recording studio in Birmingham, also once known as 'Ladbrooke' on some demo labels. In the 1960s until late 1980s, Johnny Haynes was the owner, making custom recordings and acetates for amateur and semi-professional artists from the Midlands. They had their own label called Zel-La Records.
It started as an annexe of Ladbroke's Music shop on Bristol Street. Later they moved to Edgbaston, Birmingham. Calthorpe House and Calthorpe Road reported suggestions of one of Zella's studios, probably operating from cramped conditions in a converted church. Radio Birmingham producer and presenter, Pete Simpkin remembers the Church Studio, ‘I am certain it became the home of Zella Records under the ownership of Johnny Haynes and gave many local groups the chance to get on disc. I produced a Malc Stent Album there in the 80s.’ A photo is attached of the Ampton Road church location, not far from Carpenter Road (taken from Facebook which a contributor claims to be the church).
Recordings were as varied as the people who were prepared to pay for the company's services, ranging from cabaret medley performers to self-penned songs by bands from the local Pub Rock circuit.
Haynes sold the studio to rock band Magnum in the 1980s. There doesn't appear to be any records made on the Zel-La label after 1989.
It started as an annexe of Ladbroke's Music shop on Bristol Street. Later they moved to Edgbaston, Birmingham. Calthorpe House and Calthorpe Road reported suggestions of one of Zella's studios, probably operating from cramped conditions in a converted church. Radio Birmingham producer and presenter, Pete Simpkin remembers the Church Studio, ‘I am certain it became the home of Zella Records under the ownership of Johnny Haynes and gave many local groups the chance to get on disc. I produced a Malc Stent Album there in the 80s.’ A photo is attached of the Ampton Road church location, not far from Carpenter Road (taken from Facebook which a contributor claims to be the church).
Recordings were as varied as the people who were prepared to pay for the company's services, ranging from cabaret medley performers to self-penned songs by bands from the local Pub Rock circuit.
Haynes sold the studio to rock band Magnum in the 1980s. There doesn't appear to be any records made on the Zel-La label after 1989.
Attachments
Last edited:
