22 November 2007
PRS Chairman Re-appointed
PRS Deputy Chair (Writer) appointed
The PRS Board has re-appointed Ellis Rich, CEO of The Independent Music Group, as its Chairman for a second three-year term (2008 – 2010).
PRS (the Performing Right Society) enables businesses to use music and ensures that the creators of that music are fairly rewarded.
Ellis Rich said: ‘It continues to be an honour to be PRS Chairman during a period of fast-paced change for the industry. I am really relishing serving the Society for another three years, during which I have no doubt we will face increased challenges to protect and preserve the value of our members’ music.’
The PRS Board has also appointed songwriter Mick Leeson as Deputy Chair (Writer) for a two-year term beginning 1 January 2008. (Andrew King of Mute Song is Deputy Chair (Publisher) who was appointed for two years from 1 January 2007.)
Mick Leeson said: ‘One of the key aspects of the role is working with the Board to provide fair and accurate solutions to meet the needs of our expanding 50,000 membership.
‘I’ll be continuing the work started by Nigel Beaham-Powell, who really focused in on building close links with the writer membership community. This has proved invaluable in understanding their issues and representing their interests.’
Media composer Nigel Beaham-Powell, who did not stand for re-appointment, has served four years as PRS Deputy Chair (Writer) and will continue as a PRS Board member.
Ellis Rich said: ‘Nigel was a great Deputy Chair and ambassador for the Society However, I am delighted that Mick Leeson has been appointed and look forward to working with him together with the Publisher Deputy Chair, Andrew King, to further improve the rightful recognition of songwriters, composers and publishers.’
- Ends -
CONTACTS:
Catherine George 020 7306 4777
press@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
PRS, The Performing Right Society, creating a future for music. As a not-for-profit membership society, PRS ensures composers, songwriters and music publishers are paid royalties when their music is used. Music is everywhere, every day: live performance, TV and radio, CDs, DVDs, downloads, streams and everything in between. Royalties create a future for music by supporting creators while they continue to write.
The PRS Board consists of 11 writers and 11 publishers plus two external directors and the Chief Executive. The Board is headed by a Chairman, who is supported by a writer and publisher deputy.
BIOGRAPHIES:
Ellis Rich
PRS Chairman
Ellis Rich is a classical and jazz pianist spending many years with his band playing gigs at various functions and venues.
Starting in music publishing in 1963 in Feldman’s post room, he advanced to the professional department where he arranged for sheet music. Among his achievements was transcribing Brian May’s guitar solos on Queen’s hits. He also had his hand-written orchestrations printed.
Progressing to the international division, he became International Manager. The company was later acquired by EMI Music. In 1981, Ellis left EMI to become independent and had considerable chart success. In 1986, after involvement in discovering Mel and Kim, Ellis was invited to establish Supreme Songs, the publishing arm of Supreme Records.
In 1989, Ellis created Independent Music Group, a worldwide music publishing consortium. The group controls many copyrights including the Supreme, R & E, Beat That and JSE Music catalogues. Ellis maintains that without the song there is nothing’ and greatly admires the creative endeavours of writers. ‘Their songs are their babies and must be treated with the greatest respect,’ he says.
Ellis considers it vital for independents to be well represented at PRS and has been pleased to have done so for the past ten years, six of which as Deputy Chairman (Publisher). As a musician playing popular and classical music, a writer and hands-on publisher, his extensive grass-roots experience has been of great value to the board.
Ellis became PRS Chairman in January 2005, embracing the opportunity to be an ambassador for the value of music in and for our society.
Mick Leeson
PRS Deputy Chairman (Writer) – elect
Mick Leeson grew up in Newcastle where he sang in soul bands in the Sixties. He
met his writing partner Peter Vale at University College London and worked in a bank before becoming a full time songwriter in 1980.
Mick and Peter’s first chart successes were with Sheena Easton and Mick wrote the lyrics for the Oscar nominated James Bond song For Your Eyes Only.
Their biggest US success came in 1986 with the top three hit Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money which recently received a BMI award for 3 million plays.
In 1987 the double platinum Mica Paris album yielded the hit singles My One
Temptation and Breathe Life Into Me. Their biggest hit Would I Lie To You by Charles and Eddie was No 1 in the UK and 11 other countries, winning four platinum discs and three Ivor Novello Awards.
Artists recording their songs include Ray Charles, The Commodores, Paul Young,
Maxi Priest and Chaka Demus and Pliers. Most recently their song If There’s Any
Justice was a top three record for Lemar.
Mick was a PRS director from 1993 to 2006 and currently sits on the Board of the
British Academy of Composers & Songwriters. He is a Committee Member of the PRS Members’ Fund and a trustee of the PRS Foundation.
Andrew King
PRS Deputy Chairman (publisher)
1966 Started managing The Pink Floyd with Peter Jenner
1967 Formed Blackhill Enterprises
Between 1967 and 1982 Blackhill managed a considerable numbers of acts including Marc Bolan, Roy Harper, Kevin Ayers, Ian Dury, and The Clash. Blackhill also initiated and put on the series of free concerts in Hyde Park featuring, amongst others, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Pink Floyd and Blind Faith.
In 1976 Blackhill started a music publishing subsidiary and prospered with, amongst others, the Dury/Jankel songs and the Clash’s catalogue.
Andrew continued as Ian Dury’s manager until Ian’s death in 2000. In 1992 Andrew became General Manager of Mute Song.