Sandy Roberton

Alexander "Sandy" William Roberton (July 7, 1942 – July 25, 2022) was a British record producer and businessman.

Roberton was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 7 July 1942. At the age of six, he emigrated with his parents to Africa,^[1] where his father, Robert, worked as a tractor technician in the British government's post-war Tanganyika Groundnut Scheme in East Africa. Roberton spent his early years in Tanganyika and Kenya, where he became involved in the local music scene. As a teenager Roberton performed in the band Les Hombres.^[2][3]

In 1963, Roberton moved to London to pursue a career in music, working day jobs at Olivetti and C&A.^[4] He performed at the King's Head pub in Soho with schoolmate Rick Tykiff, and the duo signed with producer Tom Springfield (brother of Dusty Springfield), releasing singles like "Half as Much" (1965) on Decca and Mercury.^[5] Later tracks were arranged by songwriter Les Reed.^[6]

After Tykiff's departure, Roberton released solo covers under aliases:

• "Solitary Man" (Neil Diamond cover, 1966) as Sandy on Columbia.^[7]
• "Baby You've Been On My Mind" (Bob Dylan cover, 1967) as Lucien Alexander on Polydor, backed by Fleur de Lys.^[8]

Roberton managed the London office of Chess Records' publishing arms:

• Arc Music (founded by Leonard and Phil Chess; later owned by BMG).^[9]
• Regent Music (publisher for Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, etc.).^[10]
• Jewel Music (acquired by Primary Wave in 2022).^[11]

He also represented Bill Lowery's catalog (e.g., Joe South, Tommy Roe). Roberton secured covers like Georgie Fame's "Sitting in the Park" (UK No. 12, 1966)^[12] and Little Walter's "It Ain't Right" for John Mayall's Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966).^[13]

Roberton joined Mike Vernon's Blue Horizon label, co-founding publishing companies Goodie Two Shoes Music and Uncle Doris Music.^[14] He produced:

• Two singles by The Chocolate Watch Band (1967), featuring Gary Osborne.^[15]
• Early albums for Steeleye Span (1970–1971), including Hark! The Village Wait.^[16]
• Shirley Collins' No Roses (1971), nominated for Melody Maker’s "Folk Album of the Year."^[17]

Roberton founded September Productions Ltd in 1968, managing:

• The Liverpool Scene (1968–1970): Produced their debut album with John Peel; toured with Led Zeppelin.^[18]
• Plainsong (1971–1972): Produced their acclaimed debut In Search of Amelia Earhart.^[19]
• Solo works by Iain Matthews and Andy Roberts.^[20]

Roberton launched Rockburgh Records, releasing albums by:

• Iain Matthews: Stealin' Home (1978) included the US hit "Shake It" (No. 13).^[21]
• Wilko Johnson, Allan Taylor, and others.^[22]

In the 1980s, Roberton shifted to managing producers, founding Worlds End Management. His final production credit was John Martyn's Well Kept Secret (1982).^[23]

Roberton married Dinah (née Cullen), his former personal assistant at music publishers Chappell & Co, in December 1968. They had two children, Christian and Nicola.^[24] Roberton died in London on 25 July 2022, aged 80, after a short battle with cancer.

• Official website

• Ian Clayton: In Search Of Plainsong, Route Publishing, 2022; ISBN 978-1901927-87-0
• Iain Matthews with Ian Clayton: Thro' My Eyes: A Memoir, Route Publishing, 2018; ISBN 978-1901927-75-7
• Clinton Heylin: What We Did Instead Of Holidays: A History Of Fairport Convention And Its Extended Folk-Rock Family. Route Publishing, 2018; ISBN 978-1901927-73-3