Ben Murphy is/was a very funny fellow and I enjoyed doing business with him. But several of the NewsRevue writers struggled with him, usually at the “getting paid” level.
He certainly wasn’t very business-like (but then nor are some of the NewsRevue lot), so I suspect that my correspondence felt a bit more urgent to him.
I always got paid eventually, for as long as he wanted more material, as I’d simply withhold new stuff until I was paid for the old stuff after a while.
The other problem dealing with him was working out where he was. He moved around a lot, partly for summer season purposes but possibly for other reasons. I hope he didn’t pay me rather than the rent that month…perhaps that explains the move.
Anyway, the correspondence and invoices below (from the early Z/Yen days when I needed to invoice) give a good flavour of it all.
I got paid and got continuing business for a couple more years. Ben started calling me Z/Ian after the second of the letters below.
Ben Murphy 12 October 1994
(Wells address redacted)
Dear Ben
SONGS
As promised, Ben, here are those new songs. Hope you can use them..
Looking forward to receiving the dosh soon. Hope to increase my volume of output again shortly – so watch this space.
Do let me have your new address and phone number a.s.a.p. Speak to you soon.
Cheers.
Yours sincerely
Ian Harrisencs
…and with a little more urgency…
Ben Murphy 15 November 1994
(Wells address redacted)
Dear Ben
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
Thank you for the telephone message that I have just received. I hope this letter gets to you, as your message did not identify your new address and telephone number.
I enclose copies of my fee notes (bloody yuppie he’s becoming) and copies of the very small number of new songs I’ve produced since we last spoke (nice guy ‘tho’, how could you possibly hate him on principle?).
I shall resort to private detectives and all sorts of shit unless I get a new address and telephone number out of you by the end of the month. I’ve just got to get these new songs to you!!
Love and kisses.
Cheers.
Yours sincerely
Ian HarrisEncs.
…and the invoices…
INVOICE
VAT REG NO GB 646 1995 04FAO Ben Murphy Date: 12 September 1994
Tax point:14 August 1994
(Wells address redacted)
INVOICE TO: Ben Murphy
ACCOUNT REF: MU01
INVOICE NO: 02003
In respect of songs and sundry patter for your summer season, May to 12 August 1994.
£ROYALTIES 150.00
VAT – NIL (PRE REGISTRATION) –LESS: ADVANCE PAID 25.00
————-
TOTAL £125.00
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This amount is now due. Many thanks in advance of your prompt attention.
INVOICE – FILE COPY VAT REG NO GB 646 1995 04
FAO Ben Murphy Date: 12 September 1994
Taxpoint: 12 September 1994(Wells address redacted)
INVOICE TO: Ben Murphy
ACCOUNT REF: MU01
INVOICE NO: 02004
In respect of songs and sundry patter for your summer season, mid August to September 1994.
£ROYALTIES 25.53
VAT @ 17.5% 4.47
————-
TOTAL £30.00
========
This amount is now due. Many thanks in advance of your prompt attention.