Charles Blackwell (music arranger)

Charles Blackwell
Blackwell in the 1960s
Background information
Born	(1940-05-20)20 May 1940 Leytonstone, Essex, England
Died	14 August 2024(2024-08-14) (aged 84)
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	Music arranger, record producer, songwriter
Years active	1960–2024

Charles Blackwell (born Ramsey^[1] 20 May 1940 – 14 August 2024) was an English arranger, record producer and songwriter. He began his career in music publishing offices in Denmark Street, London. At the age of 18 he was music director of Joe Meek's record label. He became a prolific studio arranger and record producer in the 1960s and 1970s with a string of hits, and recorded with many famous artistes. He was later commissioned to orchestrate Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" for a recording to be played at every sitting of the European Parliament.