HACKENSACK - UP THE HARD WAY 1st UK PRESS NM Signed Photo Archive Led Zeppelin

	£		101
	$		134

    HACKENSACK  -  

Up the Hard Way

POLYDOR
2383 263

1st UK Press 1974 

Machined first press matrices A//1 and B^2

Notes

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (Stamped runout A side): 2383263 A//1 420 0 1 1 6
• Matrix / Runout (Stamped runout B side): 2383263 B ? 2 1 1 2
• Price Code: Super

Hackensack formed in September 1969 from the remaining members of Gas Avenue, professional musicians playing a residency in London's Leicester Square where singer-songwriter Nicky Moore and bassist Stu Mills brought in guitarist Mick Sweeney and drummer Billy Rankin. Moore, an ex-chorister, was heavily into blues but also took inspiration from Jeff Beck, The Doors and Led Zeppelin. Almost immediately, Rankin left to take up a place with Brinsley Schwarz and was replaced by John Turner on drums but it wasn't until June 1970 that the group began to get paid work.

Mills was replaced by bassist John Restall for a few months but re-joined in March 1971 and, then, signed with Inferno Agency, the band began regular gigging. Sweeney was replaced by Ray Smith in May 1971 and Turner by Martin Bell in November but it was in March 1972 that Hackensack's 'final' line-up was achieved with drummer Simon Fox replacing Bell.

Signed to Island Records, touring became the norm, first with Mott the Hoople's Rock'n'Roll Circus and later with Free as well as overseas tours in Holland, Germany and Switzerland. Their single 'Moving On' written by Mick Ralphs and produced by Muff Winwood was released in November 1972 and became John Peel's play of the week on Radio 1 but failed to make the top 40. Meanwhile the group played regularly at London's Marquee Club and The Cavern Club and on the university circuit in support of bigger bands, Status Quo, Supertramp, Uriah Heep, Osibisa, Lindisfarne etc.

Pye Records mobile recording studio was at The Cavern Club, Liverpool in May 1973 where Hackensack shared top billing for the last night at the club but no recordings were ever released.

Disillusioned with Island Records' failure to capture their live energy, Hackensack were re-signed to Polydor in July 1973 with a then record-breaking advance against royalties. Their album 'Up the Hard Way' was released in March 1974 by which time Mills had quit and been replaced by Paul Martinez. 

!!!!A VERY HARD FIND!!! Most have been bought up by collectors!! This is hardly offered these days as an original first press!! This album belonged to the bassist Stu Mills, who sold it to me. He told me he just played it once and as such itis practically NM. He also signed an original promotional photo for me, which is included in the sale.

Vinyl: EX++/NM.  A sensational find and just played once by Stu Mills himself, who was the bassist and founder member of the band. I got this copy from him. I have played this in FULL twice over> The replay is ASTOUNDING!!! I first played for a general listen and a second time for a more detailed observation on my very revealing Technics/Linn Sondek/ Rotel/ B&W system.  Outstanding audio delivery in all respects with a crystal clear, deep, rich, warm and detailed sound and on playback at a loud volume (which is how I always listen to my LPs prior to listing and it's always an immense pleasure to return to this one) there is barely any surface noise. This is a beautifully clean pressing (and I must emphasise again how difficult it is to find a copy which plays this well). The whole LP sounds absolutely great , no groove-wear and no distortion and is very strictly graded a strong EX++ for audio without anything untoward, barely any static or crackle at all - archive upgrade copy!! Of course, NO skips, NO jumps, NO ticks.

Sleeve: EX++.  A laminated sleeve in stunning condition, close to NM. This is the ultimate upgrade copy for this album. It also has the original inner sleeve in EX condition.

Included in the sale is an original promotional photo of the band, signed by Stu, the bassist and dedicated to me.

***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great and seriously collectible super album!!  You will buy into a piece of  prog core history.*** 

 nity!!! Finding this classic album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great 

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.