list of albums recorded at air studios montserrat
Naturally, Patrick and I wanted to see this piece of rock and roll history firsthand. Perhaps. Associated Independent Recording (AIR) is an independent recording company founded in London in 1965 by record producer Sir George Martin and his business partner John Burgess,[1] after their departure from Parlophone. Martin's island oasis studio was soon one of the most prolific recording studios of its era, cranking out a total of 76 albums. He acknowledged that things had changed and the industry wanted their artists closer to home where they could keep a closer eye on what they were doing. The rest was buried under more than 12 metres of ash and mud. ", Entertainment Live: Sir George Martin tributes, Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Chaos at port as thousands rush to leave Sudan. Dire Straits, Sir Paul McCartney and The Police all recorded at AIR Studios Montserrat Having played host to the recording of many best-selling rock albums - including The Police's. The story of the magical recording studio, which operated from 1979 to 1989, is told through archival and fresh interviews and footage in the new documentaryUnder the Volcano. Those who stayed made a new home in the north and thats also where youll find the new airport, a reminder that life and tourism goes on. Originally a church and missionary school, Lyndhurst Hall was designed in the Romanesque style by the great Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse (designer of the Natural History Museum) in 1884. Beatles producer George Martin opened up AIR Studios in 1979 so artists could create music in a tropical paradise, far away from the distractions of a major city. Other artists who recorded here included the Rolling. The Rolling Stones recorded its comeback album, Steel Wheels, at AIR Montserrat in 1989, but by that time the Neve had been sold and installed at A&M Studios in Los Angeles. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. In 1986, the studio equipment list read, in part: Recently refurbished control room now featuring 60 channels by SSL with automation and TR and 12 fully integrated channels by Rupert Neve of Focusrite, two 32track Mitsubishi X850 digital machines and 24track Studer A800. "We had some great times. Julia Hammond Martin opened AIR Studios Montserrat in 1979 as the technical equivalent of AIR London but with the added flavor of its exotic location. Music For Montserrat was a benefit concert held on 15 September 1997 at the Royal Albert Hall.The event was organised by Sir George Martin, former producer for The Beatles and founder of Associated Independent Recording, to raise funds for the Caribbean island of Montserrat after a major volcanic eruption by the Soufrire Hills volcano earlier that year. You can read his other contributions here and here. Private jets full of artists now addressed as Sir went through hundreds of synthesizers and perhaps thousands of headbands while creating some of the biggest-selling hits of the 80s at this (at the time state of the art) recording studio. But he was also responsible for building a musical outpost to record some of the biggest-selling albums of the 1980s - in the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat. "One error in the article - the volcano that devastated the island was not a dormant volcano. Inside was a small, dank room. The following 102 pages are in this category, out of 102 total. Facebook, AIR Studios (Lyndhurst) Ltd Two more studios were added to meet demand. Here in Montserrat, we walked among rock and roll ruins. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids and lots of pets. Martin had founded Associated Independent Recording (AIR) studios in London in 1969. But the natural disaster that knocked AIR studio out of action wasnt the volcano, it was a hurricane. Very comprehensive ancillary equipment list. It was a branch of Associated Independent Recording (AIR), the recording company he co-founded. Sir George received his knighthood in 1996, in recognition of his services to the music industry and popular culture. Hike up Garibaldi Hill or Jack Boy Hill and the views over the island aare simply stunning. George Martin opened AIR Studios Lyndhurst in December 1992 with a gala performance of Under Milk Wood in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. The people of Montserrat are still very proud of the work that was done at AIR Studios. The Night I Fell in Love. The studio was never reopened, mainly due to changes in the recording industry. You bring something out of nothing, the late George Martin says in the trailer, and it always goes back to nothing again.. It was located on the fourth floor of 214 Oxford Street, at Oxford Circus, containing four studios and (later) a MIDI programming room. And the surprises keep coming. The eye wall moved across Montserrat on September 17th 1989 bringing with it sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. Among them were the Police, who laid down first Ghost in the Machine and then Synchronicity. Now too fragile to safely walk within, the studio bears little, if any at all, resemblance to its original grandeur. In stories that sound almost apocryphal, Buffett remembers asking the locals about a steel pan player to play on Volcano. In 1989, shortly after the Rolling Stones had recorded their Steel Wheels album there, Hurricane Hugo devastated the island but the Montserrat studio facility sustained only minor damage. Born James Daley, "Scriber" got his nickname from a penchant for describing everything. It seemed like a strange spot, directly between the peaceful blue water and the smoking crater with the pipeline to Hell. Recording artists flocked to the island not only to record in one of the most sophisticated studios in the world at the time but also to enjoy the peace and tranquility the island offered. 1. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. But thankfully, there are many alternatives to experiencing the impressive recording history of the island including 1) viewing the studio from afar from the nearby volcano observatory, 2) visiting the Hilltop Coffee House, a non-profit owned by long-time Montserrat residents that include informative displays on AIR Studio, or 3) visiting Olveston House, the former home of George Martin that's now a hotel and restaurant that includes Beatles photographs. But Montserrat isnt a one-trick pony and beyond the volcano, its a beautiful place to visit. Its isolation, its starkness, its black sands and its now post-apocalyptic landscape all of these provide a background to the creation and ultimate destruction of AIR. Editors Note: This is Daves third story for Uncommon Caribbean stemming from his trip to Montserrat with Patrick to compete in the islands Volcano Half Marathon. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Million dollar budgets and tropical recording gateways are a thing of the past. Buffett flew in and landed at the studio, interrupting a studio session with Clapton, Phil Collins and famed studio musicians Duck Dunn and Steve Cropper, and went to lunch with Martin. The defunct independent recording studio complex, it is the former London recording homepart of several musical scores from The Walt Disney Company, The Onward Company and The Sonic & Donkey Kong Company. "I opened a restaurant at first when I got there, but when he came to the restaurant, I met him and got the job managing the studios.". September 5, 2019, 12:27 am, by (Did Sting cry I want my MTV in this very room?) It stands as a reminder of the power of nature, and the impermanence of our existence., Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. Dire Straits recorded their hugely successful Brothers in Arms album at the studio between 1984 and 1985. Given a choice between a dingy London studio or a sunny house with a pool on a tropical island, the decision wasn't hard. See. Director Gracie Otto Writers Cody Greenwood Joseph Nizeti Gracie Otto Stars Sting Jimmy Buffett Mark Knopfler See production, box office & company info Watch on SHOWTIME with Prime Video Channels The co-owners Chrysalis & Pioneer sold the studio to Strongrooms Richard Boote in 2006. Musical legends like the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffett, Paul McCartney, and Michael Jackson recorded within its state-of-the-art walls. [3] It also became one of the most in-demand music studios in London by 1973.[4]. Offer subject to change without notice. After a trip with his wife, George Martin decided to open up a secret studio on the rural, non-modernized, secluded island of Montserrat. But after ten great years of recording there the music business had changed fundamentally. More than 70 albums were recorded there in ten years, including Hot Hot Hot by Arrow, Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity by The Police, Elton John's Too Low for Zero and Steel Wheels by the Rolling Stones. I also intended for the island of Montserrat to be a leading character in and of itself. Most of us could only dream of getting the chance to take a trip to an exotic island with the sole reason of creating the best art possible. Elton John recorded three albums at the Montserrat studio in the 1980s. We went there for the isolation, Stewart Copeland says in the trailer, looking back at his tumultuous time there with the Police as they made their final album. He also produced a host of other artists in the 1960s and 1970s, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Matt Monro, Elton John, Jeff Beck, John Williams, Cheap Trick and Ultravox. Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, Rush, Little River Band, Black Sabbath, Supertramp, and Duran Duranthey all sought the muse on this beautiful island in the West Indies. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. It's been in. You could say George Martin was integral to the island and to why it became so popular. Martin had a residence at Olveston House in Salem on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. Built for congregational singing, the hexagonal hall has extraordinary acoustic qualities, which George Martin quickly recognised. The movie will be available via on-demand and digital platforms on August 17th. February 2 till March 3, 1981 Songs recorded during this session appear on Tug Of War. Its sister studio, AIR Montserrat, was opened in 1979, and for ten years hosted many of the biggest names in rock and pop. July 23, 2020, 1:45 am, by He produced a record-breaking 30 number one singles in the UK, and was recognised by the industry with five Grammys and two Ivor Novello Awards. AIR Studios Montserrat in its heyday In 1989 disaster hit the island when Hurricane Hugo destroyed over 90% of the island's buildings. But as the documentary attests, the music and stories remain. George entered the music business in 1950, and five years later became head of the Parlophone label at EMI. September 15, 2019, 12:18 am, by With three other leading record producers, Ron Richards, John Burgess and Peter Sullivan, he established Associated Independent Recordings and opened AIR Studios in central London in 1970. info@airstudios.com After all, we were staying in George Martins housethe lovely Olveston Guest House. Yvonne Kelly worked as managing director of the studios from 1981 to 1989 and says Sir George "changed the world of music, as well as my world and my life". They wrote and recorded some of their bestselling third album Seven and the Ragged Tiger in Montserrat. You cant tell by looking at it now, but the grimy complex was once a hot spot for the musical greats of the 1980s. In 1989, when the Rolling Stones left the island having recorded Steel Wheels, no one could have imagined the events that were to follow. Six years later came a cataclysmic event that would ensure AIR Montserrat would never reopen. Jimmy Buffett recorded his LP Volcano there the year it opened, naming it after the nearby Soufrire Hills volcano. For the next 12 months Help!, followed by Rubber Soul and Revolver, would do battle with The Sound of Music soundtrack for the number one album spot (briefly assisted by the Rolling Stones Aftermath). Mix albums. Some of the most popular albums of the Eighties were cut there, including Dire Straits Brothers in Arms, the Polices Synchronicity, and Duran Durans Rio. The recording equipment is still in place. The songs were recorded between January and September 1981 during sessions that took place at AIR Studios in Montserrat and Le Studio in Quebec, assisted by record producer Hugh Padgham . November 10, 2019, 2:51 am, by If he would allow us to sleep under his roof, break bread at his table, and drink dark n stormys on his veranda, then surely he wouldnt mind us wandering around his old hurricane-ravaged recording facilities. Get the best Caribbean stories straight into your inbox! Air Studios was a safe haven from the social, sexual and pharmaceutical distractions of recording in Los Angeles, London or New York. Shona Martyn, right, and Frane Lessac, now an internationally acclaimed picture book author based in Fremantle, hang out in Montserrat. Bush rum is a blend of many specific leaves, barks and roots used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes with overproof rum. It is believed that the use of low-resolution . All rights reserved. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Helen Mirren, Woody Harrelson & Chelsea Handler Join Willie Nelsons 90th Birthday Hollywood Bowl Concert:Exclusive, Billboard Introduces Industry-Voted Award for Annual Country Power PlayersList, HARDY Reacts to Receiving 7 ACM Award Nominations: I Couldnt BelieveIt. Just a few short weeks after the release of Steel Wheels in August 1989, Hugo barrelled through. Tape boxes and audio manuals littered the floor. Buffett wanted to bring in some local players to appear on the record, which he know would be frowned upon, so he waited until the day the studio manager went fishing to sneak them in. The larger Studio One had a live sound that was great for orchestral work, while the drier sound of Studio Two made it popular with bands. However, this hasnt stopped numerous adventurous tourists from trespassing so they could experience a piece of whats left of the extensive history. Overview: The Night I Fell in Love is the fourth studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Luther Vandross, released by Epic in March 1985. Shane is an urban exploration photographer from Australia who visited the island of Montserrat last year. He appeared out of the jungle and played on the record and went back in., In another story that didnt make the documentary, Buffett went back to Montserrat a few years later to possibly interest Martin in using a helicopter service Buffett was helping some friends in St. Maarten get off the ground. July 19, 2021, 12:48 am. I saw a large room with a brick wall I remembered from this Rolling Stones video. Equipment-wise, as of 1979 the studio consisted of a 46-channel Neve console, a pair of MCI 24-track recorders, three Ampex ATR-102 stereo machines and an MCI synchronizer (for any 46-track work), with JBL and Tannoy monitors.[9]. An imposing statue of the first prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda stands in the middle of a traffic intersection. More than 70 albums were recorded there in ten years, includingHot Hot Hot by Arrow,Dire Straits Brothers In Arms, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity by The Police, Elton Johns Too Low for Zero and Steel Wheels by the Rolling Stones. Other notable albums recorded partially or entirely at AIR Studios Montserrat include Elton John's "Jump Up!" (1982); "Too Low for Zero" (1983) and "Breaking Hearts" (1984); Earth Wind & Fire's "Faces" (1980); Duran Duran's "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" (1983); and the Rolling Stones' "Steel Wheels" (1989). Ewelina Binkowska "It was an incredible experience," says Ms Kelly, who's now 59. Lyndhurst Road Built in 1977 for the isolated, paradise location and the tax benefits, AIR Studios Montserrat recorded many top acts during the late 70s and 80s: Elton John, Dire Straits, Duran Duran, Paul McCartney, Rush, The Police, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Little River Band, Sheena . This comprises a top 100 from August 1981 onwards, a top 75 before this from 1978 and various lengths before this from July 1956. 0-9 The 2nd Law 2XS 0898 Beautiful South A More than 70 albums were recorded there in ten years, including Hot Hot Hot by Arrow, Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity by The Police, Elton John's Too Low for Zero and Steel Wheels by the Rolling Stones. This tidal island, a sacred site in early English Christianity, was the target of a notable Viking invasion. George Martins AIR Studios currently sits in ruin on the Caribbean island of Montserrat thanks to the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and a series of volcano eruptions in the Nineties. The cell which saved the life of Ludger Sylbaris, "the man who lived through Doomsday.". On the bright side, you can take a laptop and an interface or midi controller on vacation and experience a similar feeling. The studios contained two Bsendorfer pianos, many soundproof booths, and a 56-channel mixing console, custom-designed by Neve Electronics to AIR's specification. While making the film, we identified thematic veins that we wanted to tap into throughout the narrative. Cool studio. It cast its spell on them as they mingled with the local people. We had found the control room, the heart of Air Studios, and once home to a Neve Console. I was afforded a fantastic opportunity by George. by Pinterest Since Hans Zimmer's Interstellar in 2014, he has regularly taken the role of Pro Tools recordist on many major film scores including Isle of Dogs by Alexander Desplat, Red Sparrow by James Newton-Howard, Lady in the Van by George Fenton , alongside his work on album projects for Adele, Biffy Clyro, Muse, Nick Cave . Outside, we crossed a field of high weeds to reach the pool, beside which a fateful band meeting was held, during which members of The Police almost gave up on the recording project that would become Synchronicity. His early career was built on recording comedy with artists including Peter Sellers, Dudley Moore and Flanders & Swann. For anyone wishing to fall under her spell, or anyone who just appreciates rock and roll history, this special island (and if you can get to it, this independent recording studio) is certainly worth checking out. Dire Straits recorded their hugely successful Brothers in Arms album at the studio between 1984 and 1985. Its time had come, not least because it had become difficult for major artists to come and go without being recognised by the shoppers on Oxford Street. Those little white buildings are all that remain of Air Studios Montserrat. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The ruins of Beatles producer George Martins Montserrat recording studio now crumble within the shadow of a volatile active volcano thats been wreaking havoc on the island since the 1990s. Sadly, Hugo would make a direct hit. Pop giants Duran Duran came too. Instagram AIR Lyndhurst Hall, Hampstead (1991present), "Montserrat: A Photo Tribute to Sir George Martin", "The Ruins of George Martin's Caribbean Recording Studio", "Throwback Thursdays: Story of Montserrat AIR Studios & Dire Straits", "BBC News Why do the children of Montserrat sing about a volcano? VAT No GB311795995 Richard sold the business in 2018. User Ratings. This category contains albums recorded at AIR Studios - AIR Oxford Circus (1970-1991), AIR Montserrat (1979-1989) and AIR Lyndhurst (1991-present). Classic albums recorded or engineered at AIR in its first decade include Meddle by Pink Floyd, Queen's Sheer Heart Attack, Roxy Music's For Your Pleasure (and their three following albums), Paul McCartney's soundtrack to Live and Let Die, the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks, Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush, and The Pretenders' eponymous debut Over on Little Bay Beach, watching the sunset with a cocktail in your hand is a real treat. It sounded like a jet engine - and took about three weeks to break through. For you trivia buffs, the first album recorded there was Climax Blues Band's 1979 Reel to Reel and the last album finished there was the Rolling Stones' 1989 comeback record Steal Wheels. The new facility would be a studio built by producers for producers. George Martin assembled a supergroup of record producers for some of the UKs top acts Ron Richards, John Burgess, Peter Sullivan and himself to form Associated Independent Recordings, or AIR. All rights reserved. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? The pursuit of rock and roll stardom may no longer be possible here, but walking in the footsteps of some of the music worlds biggest stars can still prove inspirational. Ten people lost their lives and countless others suffered injuries. This list may not reflect recent changes. The list Albums recorded at AIR Studios includes The Night I Fell in Love, Impressions, 2XS, Brothers In Arms and Give Me the . [2], AIR London became popular in the 1970s for spoken word recordings. Twitter He died at on 8 March 2016, at the age of 90. Despite this, Montserrat is a fascinating place to visit. His love for Montserrat never faded and in the wake of a later devastating volcanic eruption his fundraising efforts went a long way towards putting the island back on its feet. Forgotten bits of the recording equipment that used to produce so many albums rot inside. For more than a decade, AIR Montserrat played host to recording sessions by a whos who of rock and pop. I had spent some time there when I was younger, so I knew the island. To say this volcano is smoking is an understatement. Its population took with them what they could. All rights reserved. 2019-2020 Exploring Caribbean. Until he passed away in 2016, Martin had remained a regular visitor to the island he loved so much and if you follow in his footsteps, youll soon see why. This category contains albums recorded at AIR Studios AIR Oxford Circus (19701991), AIR Montserrat (19791989) and AIR Lyndhurst (1991present). Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder recorded Ebony and Ivory here, while Elton John produced the hits Im Still Standing, I Guess Thats Why They Call It the Blues, and Sad Songs Say So Much. Some great albums came out of it: Synchronicity, by the Police, Elton John's Too Low for Zero, Brothers in Arms from Dire Straits. Read about our approach to external linking. 2. (Jimmy Buffetts album Volcano, which he recorded in the studio, was named for the then-dormant volcano.) But only a decade after the celebrated studio opened, its life soon came to an abrupt end. The Rolling Stones' 1989 Steel Wheels album was among the last to be recorded at AIR Studios. Having played host to the recording of many best-selling rock albums - including The Police's Synchronicity and Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms - the studio was forced to close in 1989 after much of the island was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. All Rights Reserved. The last major storm to do any significant damage had blown through way back in 1928. For over ten years Air Studios hosted artists such as Dire Straits, The Police, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Duran Duran, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, Black Sabbath, and Eric Clapton, to name a few. Wasp nests plug various nooks and hang from the ceiling as tangles of vegetation climb the walls. A hotly contested micro-nation off the coast of Montserrat. The band shot the video right there in the studio. Understandably, George Martin couldnt face rebuilding. The concert featured Jimmy Buffett, Mark Knopfler, Sting, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Midge Ure, Phil Collins, Carl Perkins and many others who had recorded on and inevitably fallen in love with the island. Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, Rush, Little River Band, Black Sabbath, Supertramp, and Duran Duranthey all sought the muse on this beautiful island in the West Indies. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2023. It was a beautiful break, we went there with a great band and intended to cut basic . Frank Oglethorpe It's not hard to see why British bands favoured it as the place to record. Air Studios still sits at the edge of the exclusion zone, almost symbolic of a better time for not only the island of Montserrat but the music industry. ", "Under the Volcano: The tiny island that rocked until disaster hit", "Olga Fitzroy (Recording and Mix Engineer)", Video tour and producer interviews shot at Air Studios, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Associated_Independent_Recording&oldid=1148659326, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 7 April 2023, at 14:40. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. The space was revamped as a recording facility and opened for business in December 1992. Employees include Olga Fitzroy.[13]. Most of the information I could find about the studio on the internet is from people sneaking in while it was already in a dilapidated state. Despite the vast sales chalked up by the Beatles records worldwide, Martin, their producer, was seeing none of the financial rewards, just a weekly salary from Parlophone. The facility is now a modern ruin and is closed to the public. Related articles:Carbon microphones and the Placid Audio CarbonphoneThe your mixes sound bad in the car phenomenon[Even more] Things I wish I learned sooner about audio engineeringThings I wish I learned sooner about audio engineering. Jackie Dangler was his name. Still recovering from the after effects of Hugo, the islanders were left devastated by this second natural disaster. [2] The studio complex was founded in 1969. Two years later, in July 1979 he opened a recording studio there. That happened to coincide with the immense devastation caused by the hurricane and sadly the studios had to close. +44 (0)20 7794 0660 For more than a decade, AIR Montserrat played host to recording sessions by a who's who of rock and pop. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Copyright 2019 AIR Studios 2534012. Was this where Stewart Copeland played his drum kit on Every Breath You Take, in search of a bigger sound? Tyese were her comments. He recorded an album called Volcano, a reference to the islands Soufrire Hillsvolcano which had been dormant since the 16th century. In 1995, disaster struck the island again when the Soufrire Hills volcano erupted and left only a small piece of the northern tip of the island habitable. Remix albums. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. "I am forever grateful to have known him and his family. The new freelance producer set-up was a hit. Hampstead They proposed a new arrangement where AIR would fund the production of new releases, relieving record labels of the cost, and in return take a royalty on sales. Lucjan Zaborowski Folks could be. "I decided right then and there that I'd leave my job and move to Montserrat to work at his studios. When Hurricane Hugo swept across Montserrat in 1989, the storm devastated much of the island and forced the studio to shutter. Soon after AIR Montserrat was hit by a hurricane and closed, Sir George found an empty church in Hampstead, north London, and created AIR Studios Lyndhurst. As Sting belted out Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic he could have been singing about Montserrat herself. Chain-smoking is more like it. "He maintained a relationship with the island ever since the studio closed," Ms Kelly says. Amongst other well-known studio clients[7] were: the Police (Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity), Earth, Wind & Fire,[8] Ultravox, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (pre-recorded Junk Culture), Paul McCartney, Gerry Rafferty, Rush, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Midge Ure, Little River Band, Duran Duran, Sheena Easton and Luther Vandross. The remnants of Air Studios reside right on the border of the exclusion zone, an area covered in ash, mud, and overgrown trees and considered too unsafe to have open to the public. The ongoing volcanic eruptions have made nearly half of the island uninhabitable. Today, he's the best nature guide in Montserrat. Building AIR meant that many leading recording artists came to stay. But the lure of the Caribbean was strong, and in 1977, when Martin visited the island, he was hooked on its beauty. Registered Office: Albany House [6] AIR Montserrat (.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}164428N 621253W / 16.74111N 62.21472W / 16.74111; -62.21472) opened in July 1979. "His involvement with the island was such a positive note for Montserrat, as it struggled compared to other Caribbean islands to attract tourists.