Henry Crallan RIP 1950 – 2015

It is with heavy hearts that Pete Hofmann and I have to announce that Henry Crallan passed away on Sunday 22 March 2015. After his cancer was diagnosed last year, Henry was keen that his condition should remain private and, as was his way, he didn’t want to concern people with his health. Henry had tremendous support from his wife MJ and children, who have been helping him through his treatments. It is to them that our heartfelt condolences are sent.

Henry founded Milo just over 30 years ago as a one-studio operation in Hoxton Square, built in partnership with John Deacon, the bass player from Queen who he was touring with at the time. The name Milo was coined from Milo Minderbinder from Joseph Heller’s Catch-22, whose wheeling and dealing was very much reflected in Miloco’s spirit. In those formative years Henry expanded Milo by building a second demo studio and then several long-term let dry hire studios in a separate building in Hoxton Market.

While Milo grew, Henry continued his life on the road as a tour/production manager working for acts such as Queen, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Madonna. He became a specialist in South America, which suited his “can-do” attitude, and he was always called upon whenever tours headed down to that part of the world. There is hardly a stadium in the world that he didn’t visit, and he became an exceptional talent at building stages quickly and effortlessly. From around 2006, Henry began working exclusively for Elton John Touring until he retired at the end of 2013.

In 2000, Henry purchased Orinoco Studios in Bermondsey. At this point Milo became the new brand Miloco and the growth of the company took off. Over the next 15 years, Miloco expanded from the original Hoxton studio into an extensive group of partnerships with studio owners/producers including Hugh Padgham, Matt Johnson (The The), and Flood and Alan Moulder.

In recent years, Henry oversaw Miloco’s expansion into various new business areas including Miloco Builds, a studio design and construction company which now has clients including Abbey Road, Paul Epworth, Amazon and SNK Studios; and Miloco Gear, which buys and sells pro audio equipment.

Miloco as a company is a true reflection of Henry’s strength of character. His support of both the staff and the company cannot be emphasised enough. Henry did not run Miloco for commercial gain. Although there were many opportunities to realise his investment, he never did because of his pride in what we have achieved as a company.

We both intend to be able to continue to grow the company as would have been his wish, and will greatly miss his continued guidance and words of wisdom.

Nick Young, managing director, Miloco