The music of a former Sandown hotelier – 74-year-old David Cowles – has been signed up by major United States Reissuing Record Company, Light in the Attic.
David first formed a song-writing partnership with Richard Haines in 1979, calling themselves 50/50.
Light in the Attic – based in Houston, Texas – intend to reissue much of 50/50’s back catalogue on 2 albums later this year. The company also plan to use 50/50’s compositions for film and television, which they specialise in.
David Cowles and Richard Haines were first encouraged in their song-writing by Genesis manager Tony Smith – a personal friend. Over a period of 6 years, the pair composed the lyrics and music for over 100 songs – sufficient material for 6 albums.
50/50 were signed to Bocu Music as songwriters – UK publishers for (amongst others) ABBA and Johnny Logan.
Cowles and Haines’ first attempt at a hit came in 1982 with Army Games which was sung by David Copperfield (one of the BBC comedy trio Three of a kind together with Lenny Henry and Tracey Ullman).
Unfortunately, the anti-war tongue-in-cheek song was released at the most inopportune time imaginable – during the the Falklands conflict. It died a death – only receiving radio airplay once on Radio London.
50/50 released 2 further singles in 1982: the catchy up-tempo synth-pop melodies Memories Linger/Just Can’t Win and Talk Too Much/I Saw The Future. Neither hit the charts.
The song writing pair’s fortune’s improved the following year when Cowles wrote the English lyrics for the Italian pop song Stand By My Side, recorded by ABBA’s Agnetha Faltskog on her hit album Wrap Your Arms Around Me.
In 1984 and 1985, Cowles wrote the English lyrics for the Portuguese Eurovision entries. The royalties earned from these songs were ploughed back into 50/50.
Unfortunately, Cowles and Haines were unable to devote themselves full time to song-writing. Both had full time work – David was an estate agent, Richard ran an audiovisual company.
David moved to the Isle of Wight, taking over the Regent Hotel on Sandown Esplanade – which included the Palm Terrace Bar and Restaurant, now known as the Reef. Richard would commute from the mainland to continue the song-writing partnership, but the output declined then fizzled out.
Richard Haines said:
“David and I focused on our family and working lives. Our families were very proud of the music we had made.”
David’s daughters – Sophie and Chloe – used 50/50 tunes as the first dances at their weddings.
For decades, 50/50s musical output gathered dust. However, it it was recently championed by American Mike Sacks – editor of the Washington Post. This is what has led to the interest from the United States record reissuing company Light in the Attic.
David Cowles retired from the hotel trade in 2007. He currently lives in Brading with his wife, Helen.
David says:
“I’m over the moon that 50/50’s music has finally been recognised. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Our music was something we have always wanted to be aired in public.”
David’s wife Helen added:
“‘Richard and I are so thrilled that after 45 years there has recently been a revival in 70s and 80s music and that at long last our songs are going to make it on to vinyl”.
