On 3^rd February the EMI Archive Trust together with TV production company 7 Wonder hosted a very special event for former EMI employees in our historic home of Hayes, now being redeveloped by U&I as The Old Vinyl Factory.

7 Wonder are producing a major BBC broadcast and online project for 2016, ‘The People’s History of Pop’, which is collecting and recording the most loved and important personal memories of pop music from music fans of all ages from right across the country.

And because EMI was the company behind so much of the music of those memories, we thought it was too good an opportunity to miss not to get together the people behind the music of those memories – the people who worked at EMI’s factories in Hayes.

We had a great turnout of former EMI colleagues who brought along their personal mementos of their time at EMI and met lots of old friends and workmates. BBC London Radio gave their support to the day as well by broadcasting the Robert Elms Show from the event, including a live performance by Turin Brakes and a special appearance by Sir Peter Blake!

Our thanks to 7 Wonder, U&I, BBC Radio London, Robert Elms, Turin Brakes, Age UK Hillingdon and of course all the EMI Hayes people who were able to attend for making it such a fantastic day.

Here are a selection of photos from the day, courtesy of photographer Daniel Morgan, and keep an eye out for contributions from former EMI people in upcoming People’s History of Pop TV programmes on BBC4 during 2016.