First Pressing: Alan Mannings on Perth’s pioneering record label Clarion Records

At a time when record labels were uncommon, Martin Clarke pioneered Perth’s first independent platform Clarion Records.

Founded in 1962, Clarion Records is considered one of the most influential labels of its time for its dedication to promoting local talent and producing high quality recordings through the introduction of new and innovative technologies never before seen in Perth.

As well as uplifting Perth musicians, Clarion had tremendous national success with Johnny Young, The Valentines (featuring some of the first recordings of Bon Scott), Fatty Lumpkin and Chalice.

Mark Neal sits down with local radio stalwart Alan Mannings to chat about the birth of Clarion Records and the early days of the Perth music scene.

You can check out all the independent artists featured in season two of the podcast on this Spotify playlist which will be updated weekly.

Image: Outside Martin Clarke Recording Studio 1968.

Sourced from the collections of the State Library of Western Australia and reproduced with the permission of the Library Board of Western Australia.