Legendary music executives recognised with prestigious awards, while Ed Sheeran’s now an MBE
Image: Rob Stringer (via Billboard)
Three top global music executives have received major awards.
Warner Music France’s President Thierry Chassagne was appointed Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) for his services to the industry.
Warner Music Group CEO Steve Cooper said: “Thierry is one of the most admired and accomplished executives in the music business.
“Since joining WMG 13 years ago, he has led Warner Music France into an era of great artistry and accomplishment.
“This is a wonderful recognition of all he has done for artists, music, and his country.”
Last year, Warner Music France had the biggest airplay share in the country of any label. At the 2016 NRJ Music Awards, its local and international acts won nine of the 13 prizes.
Chassagne also serves as President of the Société Civile Des Producteurs Phonographiques (SCPP).
Rob Stringer, CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, will in November receive the U.K.’s prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the music business.
Starting out at CBS Records (as Sony was then known) in 1985 and serving as Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992 and Chairman of Sony Music U.K. in 2001, Stringer was involved in the careers of The Clash, Manic Street Preachers, Jamiroquai, Sade and George Michael.
Made Chairman of Columbia Records in 2008, he worked with AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Pharrell Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Adele and Beyonce. He worked closely with David Bowie on his final album Blackstar.
More recently, the oversaw the breakout of The Chainsmokers and One Direction’s Harry Styles.
David Munns OBE, Chairman of the MITS Award Committee and former Vice Chairman of EMI Recorded Music Worldwide said, “Rob’s extraordinary perception of how talent and artistry develops has brought him to the pinnacle of achievement in the music business.”
And Clive Davis will be honoured at the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest on July 11 with the Italian island’s top award, the Keys to Ischia.
The honour coincides with the festival screening of the Italian premiere of the documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives.
It looks back at his extraordinary 50-year career which included being head of labels as Columbia, J and Arista, as well as the RCA Music Group as well as the Sony Music Entertainment Group,
As A&R manager and producer, he launched the careers of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Santana, Aerosmith, Air Supply, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow and Bruce Springsteen.
In addition, Warner Music owner and Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnik was one of those who picked up a knighthood gong at the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to philanthropy.
Also awarded were Ed Sheeran (Member of the British Empire or MBE for services to music and charity) while Sir Paul McCartney was made the highly prestigious Companion Of Honour.
Also honoured wasSade (Commander of the British Empire), while picking up MBEs were Emeli Sandé, Sandie Shaw and DJ Chris Tofu (bornChris Macmeikan). The latter also runs events company Continental Drifts, which curates stages for festivals as Glastonbury and Bestival and worked on The Queen’s Jubilee.