From Rob Stringer to Sir Elton John, Richard Griffiths, Mark Knopfler, Jason Iley, Nick Raphael and Colin Barlow, Muff Winwood has fans in high places.
Last night in London, we got a good sense as to why.
The former Island Records and CBS/Sony executive took to the stage to collect the A&R Icon Award at the inaugural A&R Awards in association with Abbey Road Studios in front of 400+ of his peers.
The respectful silence that greeted his arrival said everything.
As you can see in the video below, Winwood – also a founding member of The Spencer Davis Group who produced Sparks and Dire Straits – paid tribute to many of his colleagues over the years, including his “A&R soulmate” Lincoln Elias.
But there were also a few pearls of wisdom for the younger generation: not least a golden rule passed on to him by the legendary Maurice Oberstein…
Muff was introduced onto the stage by Nick Raphael, President of Capitol Records UK.
“In a job that attracts a lot of blaggers and chancers, it’s rare to find someone who’s done everything,” said Raphael.
He added: “Muff’s a brilliant bloke, a brilliant A&R man and one of the most practical people I’ve met in a business full of people who make up hogwash about the voodoo of A&R.
“In the words of Muff, it’s really simple: ‘You find a star, you find a hit record and the rest will do itself.'”
“Muff’s a brilliant bloke, a brilliant A&R man and one of the most practical people I’ve met in a business full of people who make up hogwash about the voodoo of A&R.”
Nick Raphael, Capitol Records
After joining CBS in 1978, Muff Winwood signed a string of successful artists including Terence Trent D’Arby, Sade and the Psychedelic Furs.
He later became President of Sony UK’s A&R division and then MD of Sony’s S2 label, eventually finishing his major label career in 2002 as President of UK Repertoire at Sony Music.
Other acts Winwood worked closely with throughout his CBS/Sony years included The Clash, Alison Moyet, Jamiroquai, Paul Young, Prefab Sprout, Shakin’ Stevens, Reef, Des’ree, Pasadenas, The Coral and Toploader.
The A&R Icon award was handed out at MBW’s A&R Awards at the at the Sheraton Grand Park Lane, where amongst other winners incoming Warner/Chappell MD Mike Smith collected the first ever Sir George Martin Award.Music Business Worldwide
