Dave Robinson, Co-Founder of Stiff Records

It’s hard to imagine where we’d be without Stiff Records. This label, founded by Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera in 1976, brought us some of the most iconic artists of our time, including Elvis Costello, Madness, Ian Dury, Graham Parker, the Damned, the Pogues, and Nick Lowe.

Dave Robinson has a keen interest in folk music and appreciates songs that reflect the world and experiences of their creators. He particularly enjoys the sound of Madness, which he associates with London’s Camden Town. Dave is also interested in songwriters and bands that capture the essence of their local area in England, as well as the ordinary lives of everyday people.

Madness’s unique London/Cockney style quickly caught the attention of major record labels in the UK after they signed a one-single deal with Two Tone Records for their song “The Prince”. Their talent and hard work paid off as they were offered several record deals, and suddenly, everyone decided they wanted to sign them.

Credit should be given to them, as they were wooed and treated to numerous spaghetti dinners by various record companies. However, they couldn’t help but wonder who these people really were. They felt disconnected from them and realized that these companies were only interested in the latest trend rather than the band’s true interests. The record business only seeks the next big thing, as is shared amongst all record labels. They aim to prevent another Record label from acquiring the act through record auctioning.

 At the time, Seymour Stein (Sire Records) was already aware of Madness and had teamed up with Rob Dickins, who was then running Warner Music Publishing in London but was still trying to figure out what to do with them. Dave saw Madness at his own wedding, as they didn’t have live gigs then and was as determined to sign them. They’d actually been booked by Paul McNally, who looked after Sire’s U.K. office, so Seymour almost got Madness for the World, but to avoid a major fight, he worked out a compromise with Dave Robinson, whereby Seymour got North America for Sire Records and Dave the U.K. and most of the rest of the World for Stiff. The band agreed, and we all lived happily ever after.

Dave made a bet that “It Must Be Love” by Stiff Records would become a top 5 hit. He heard Barson playing the melody or riff during a video shoot and again during rehearsals. When Mike and the band brushed it aside as a cover, Dave thought it was terrific and could be a hit. As Christmas approached and they had no material, they were preparing for a tour.

Dave suggested they record it, and Madness refused, saying they don’t do covers anymore; Dave insisted it would be a top 5 hit. So Mike asked Dave what would you give me if the band did it? Dave asked Mike what he wanted to record the song, and he replied Stiff Records, and Dave agreed.

Dave notified Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley that they have serious business here, and Stiff Records is now very involved in making this record a hit. The single went to number 4 in the charts.

This article was written and researched by Darren Bowen (c) 2023. (excerpts interpreted from the Podcast: The Hustle – Episode 431)