Today marks the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who and the influential theme tune which brought electronic music into British homes. The iconic soundtrack was created by Delia Derbyshire and Dick Mills, following a composition by Ron Grainer, at the BBC’s Radiophonic workshop in 1963.
Why was Derbyshire Important?
Derbyshire was a trailblazer, recording sounds from the world around her to create the extra-terrestrial soundscape of the much-loved tv programme.
Before the era of synthesizers, she recorded sounds using a ‘tatty green BBC lampshade’ and a piece of steel wire. Derbyshire and Mills then physically cut up the tape reel and pasted it back together. These continuous loops enabled them to produce the alien sounds which characterise the Doctor’s adventures through time and space.
This innovative approach opened new possibilities in sound art and went on to inspire generations of electronic musicians.
Although still underappreciated, Derbyshire’s reputation has grown in recent years. In part, this is due to the dedicated work of a few individuals, including the Dr David Butler of the University of Manchester, who played a key role in the acquisition of the Delia Derbyshire Archive (DDA) and the Juvenile Papers of Delia Derbyshire (BDD) at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library.
Delia Derbyshire Day
Delia Derbyshire Day is a Manchester-based charitable organisation which was founded in 2012. Over the last 11 years, the organisation has paid homage to Derbyshire and her work by organising public events, participatory activities, and educational workshops.
The organisation aims to advance public education in music technology and the history of British electronic music, taking inspiration from Derbyshire and her work.
Children in over 60 schools across Greater Manchester have attended DD Day workshops. They have composed their own electronic music, and created oral histories by interviewing people who were involved in the original Doctor Who.
Each year, the organisation commissions artists to create new audio-visual works, inspired by Delia Derbyshire Archive.Manuella Blackburn (composer) and Tracey Zengeni (visual artist), share their experiences of created commissioned artworks in 2017 in the blog post, Finding Delian Inspiration at the John Rylands Library.
The new archive
To honour the 60th anniversary of the Doctor Who theme tune, a new archive has been established at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. The Delia Derbyshire Day Archive (DED) will celebrate the work of this organisation and demonstrate the ongoing relevance of Derbyshire’s work.
The archive comprises two series. DED/1 contains organisational records, relating to the administration of the organisation. Funding documents and planning notes offer an insight into the administration of an arts charity, while the impact of the events organised by DD Day are captured through promotional material, publicity, photographs and audio-recordings.
DED/2 contains compositions inspired by Derbyshire’s work. Many of the audio-visual pieces in this series were commissioned by DD Day. Some paper documents accompany the digital compositions, including a musical score and the artists’ working notes.
This fascinating project has demonstrated the impact of creative archives and the value of collecting unpublished material from lesser-known artists. Although Derbyshire’s work has, in the past, largely been appreciated by a small cult following of electronic musicians and Doctor Who enthusiasts, DD Day have demonstrated the broader reach that her work can have. Derbyshire’s archive has enabled this organisation to channel her pioneering spirit and transmit her legacy. We hope that the new DD Day Archive will, in turn, go on to inspire future generations of artists.
The Delia Derbyshire Day Archive is available in the Reading Room at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. The digital items in this collection can be accessed using the Listening Device. To access this collection, please submit a booking request at least three working days prior to your appointment. The creation of this new archive has been made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Dr Imogen Durant
Creative Arts Curatorial Assistant
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