Universal’s UK chief executive officer, Lucian Grainge, has been farewelled in London at a star studded bash as he prepares to take up his new position as Universal Music Group CEO in New York City. Widely regarded as the most powerful person in the music biz outside the USA, Grainge started out as a teenage A&R scout during the punk movement, signing bands such as the Psychedelic Furs and developing a reputation as a tough nosed businessman, even by music business standards. Described by the man he is replacing, Doug Morris, as a ‘killer shark’, he’s not known for mincing his words. At an internal management meeting some years ago, he arrived late before turning off the lights and circling those present. As he left the room he said: “Get used to it. That’s what it looks like when you don’t have any hit records.”
Seeing him in a better light at the industry circle jerk at West London’s Mandarin Oriental were Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, Amy Winehouse, Roger Daltrey of The Who, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Duffy, La Roux, Stereophonics, Johnny Borrell of Razorlight, Sugababes, Will Young, Pixie Lott and Dandenong starlet turned second album stiffer Gabriella Kill-me. They were treated to performances from Scissor Sisters, Jamie Cullum and Enrique Iglesias, while Ronan Keating of Boyzone and Bob Geldof gave plaudits come speech time. Grainge is known for his proactive position on digital downloading but will still have his work cut out for him turning around his ship in the sinking fleet.
