DEBRETT'S LIST: THE QUEEN RECLAIMS HER THRONE
XL’s Adele has topped the music section of Debrett's list of Blighty’s 500 most influential people in 2016. SYCO boss Simon Cowell is among the other U.K. music biz players—as are assorted radio execs, the three major-label bosses and Lucian Grainge.
Cowell is recognized for his broadcasting empire through the X Factor and Got Talent series, while UMG U.K. topper David Joseph, Sony U.K. chief Jason Iley and WMG U.K. main man Max Lousada are there for their contribution to music. Grainge is named for overseeing “good figures in a declining record industry.”
Other creative players include Young Turks producer Jamie xx, WMG names Chris Martin of Coldplay (for philanthropy), Ed Sheeran and newcomer Jess Glynne, UMG’s Sam Smith, Benjamin Clementine, Sir Elton John and Naughty Boy and Sony act Calvin Harris.
Grainge, Joseph, Iley, Cowell, Lousada, Tabor and Ergatoudis: Among da best of Debrett's.
At radio, Global’s Ashley Tabor and Head of Music at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra George Ergatoudis—soon heading off to Spotify—are named with Director of BBC Music Bob Shennan, Alan Davey, controller, BBC Radio 3, and BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. Oliver Schusser, Vice-President, iTunes International, is honored for overseeing the launch of Apple Music.
On the live side, CAA agent Emma Banks and Live Nation President of Touring Phil Bowdery appear with SJM founder Simon Moran.
Meanwhile, young SB.TV founder Jamal Edwards is named in the digital and social media section, while Virgin Records founder and business mogul Richard Branson features in business.
