Tony Michaelides

Last updated

Anthony Michaelides (born 1953, Fallowfield, Manchester, England) is a British former music industry executive, known for working as a promotions executive in the music industry handling radio and TV promotions for over 30 years. In 1980, Michaelides was responsible for arranging the first televised performance outside of Ireland by U2. [1] His clients have included U2, The Police, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, The Stone Roses, [2] Bob Marley, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, New Order, [3] Bryan Adams, Dave Matthews, The Carpenters, Matchbox Twenty, Pixies, Take That and many more.

Contents

Biography

He attended Moseley Hall Grammar School and later Fielden Park College.Michaelides spent years specializing in the launching, promotion, and artist development of both British and International Artists’ careers. He has also been a music industry consultant, mentor, and advisor to numerous associations, music consortiums and colleges over the years.

Beginning in 1974, Michaelides has worked with many Record Labels including Island Records, [4] Factory Records [3] and BMG. In 1997 He took on the role as publicist for David Bowie's Earthling Tour. Michaelides has received numerous accolades from music professionals and associations. [5] After the United States Government granted him with an Alien of Extraordinary Ability Green Card (see: [6] ), he moved to Florida to pursue a career as an author and further his career as a professional public speaker.

History

Transatlantic Records – In 1974, Michaelides began his sales and marketing career working for the independent British record label Transatlantic Records as their Northern Sales Representative. He sold jazz, folk and blues records out of his van to major record stores such as Transatlantic and its subsidiaries Blue Note, Milestone and Nonesuch.

ABC/Dunhill (Anchor Records UK) – In 1976 Michaelides moved to ABC/Dunhill as Regional Sales Representative.

Island Records – In 1978, Michaelides joined Island Records as their Regional Promotion Manager responsible for the coordination and organization of all media activities for their artists in Northern England. During this time Tony also promoted Stiff Records artists' such as Elvis Costello. Due to financial difficulties, the entire Regional Promotions Team was laid off in 1980.

Charisma Records - Immediately upon leaving Island Records, Michaelides joined Charisma Records as Regional Promotion Manager working directly with artists such as Peter Gabriel and Genesis. After 9 months, he left Charisma and went back to Island.

Island Records / Stiff Records - In 1981, Michaelides returned to Island Records to head their Regional Department including artist development and radio and television promotions [4] for artists like Bob Marley, Grace Jones and Stevie Winwood. One of Michaelides's first projects when returning to Island was developing the newly signed U2 beginning with their debut album Boy through the multi-platinum release The Unforgettable Fire . [7] This was also one of Islands Records' most successful periods ever with releases from artists such as U2, Frankie Goes to Hollywood ( Welcome to the Pleasuredome ) and Bob Marley’s album, Legend , which topped the UK album chart for 12 weeks remaining on the UK chart for a total of 265 weeks. It is the best selling reggae album of all time (13.5 million platinum in US [8] ), with sales of 25 million copies. [9] [10]

TMP (Tony Michaelides Promotions) – In 1982 Michaelides began an independent operation named TMP on Princess Street, Manchester. TMP became one of the biggest independent promotions companies in the UK music business, promoting both UK and international artists to regional radio and TV.

The Circa - The Circa label contracted Michaelides to represent their artists including Massive Attack, Neneh Cherry, and Hue and Cry. In 1984, he secured a contract with Arista Records and later with RCA and began working BMG’s entire roster. Before long his promotion company was expanding at a remarkable rate and TMP was working with Mute Records, Rhythm King and 4AD Records to name a few. In the early 1980s he created all regional radio and television promotions at Factory Records for their founder Tony Wilson and continued to work for them for 10 years until their demise in the early 1990s. Tony then forged a long-standing relationship with BMG, enjoying their one of their most successful periods ever with Annie Lennox, Whitney Houston, Take That, Natalie Imbruglia, Westlife, and Puff Daddy. It was during this period, he spent several years working with the Simon’s: Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell.

The Last Radio Program – In 1984, Michaelides replaced Mark Radcliffe on Piccadilly Radio, presenting their specialist music program The Last Radio Programme for Key 103 in Manchester. He took the on-air name of “Tony the Greek” and remained as presenter for this program for the next 13 years. Throughout the show, Michaelides helped to launch careers for bands like The Stone Roses, [11] Happy Mondays, Simply Red, James and R.E.M. He conducted interviews with artists regularly and was arguably one of the first to introduce the now familiar Acoustic Set to UK radio in 1985. While working on The Last Radio Show, Tony was nominated for several Sony Music Awards for Best Specialist Music Show.

In 1997, Michaelides was asked to be publicist for David Bowie’s Earthling Tour, responsible for press, radio, and television. The following year TMP worked closely with Lippman Entertainment, one of the world’s most successful management companies, to launch Matchbox Twenty in the UK. At the same time, he was also a working with Warner Chappell’s LA office and Atlantic Records’ New York office.

Around 2000, Michaelides became a consultant for the Manchester Business Consortium, a member of the Brits Voting Academy and a provided expert advice to the Music Managers Forum's master classes. Beginning with its inception in 1992, he was a regular panelist and moderator at the UK’s major music conference, In the City and was also one of the founding members of The Manchester Music City Network. He continued mentoring sessions in the UK as well as Canada's North by Northwest festival until deciding to move to the United States in 2004. Prior to relocating to the US, Michaelides was tagged by the United States Government as an "Alien of Extraordinary Ability". [6] This is a classification that is granted only to "that small percentage who have risen to the very top of the field of endeavor".

Magic Leap - In December 2010 Michaelides joined Magic Leap, a U.S. based multimedia augmented reality company. As of 2015, he works as "Chief Evangelist" for the company utilizing his past working with musicians and artists around the world to bring in content as well as promoting the company. Michaelides continues working as an Artist Development Consultant and has become an author. His book, Insights Collection: Insights From The Engine Room, [12] was published in late 2009 by the Janson Media Group.

Michaelides currently resides in Florida and continues writing and speaking to multi-disciplinary audiences both domestically and internationally.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Island Records</span> British-Jamaican record label

Island Records is a Jamaican multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in Jamaica, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, another label recently acquired by PolyGram, were both at the time the largest independent record labels in history, with Island having exerted a major influence on the progressive music scene in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s. Island Records operates four international divisions: Island US, Island UK, Island Australia, and Island France. Current key people include Island US president Darcus Beese, and MD Jon Turner. Partially due to its significant legacy, Island remains one of UMG's pre-eminent record labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Hannett</span> Musical artist & record producer

James Martin Hannett was a British record producer, musician and an original partner/director at Tony Wilson's Factory Records. Hannett produced music by artists including Joy Division, the Durutti Column, A Certain Ratio, Magazine, John Cooper Clarke, New Order, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Happy Mondays. His distinctive production style embraced atmospheric sounds and electronics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Wilson</span> British record producer, record owner and television presenter (1950–2007)

Anthony Howard Wilson was a British record label owner, radio and television presenter, nightclub manager and impresario, and a journalist for Granada Television, the BBC and Channel 4.

<i>Earthling</i> (album) 1997 studio album by David Bowie

Earthling is the 21st studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 3 February 1997 through RCA Records in the United Kingdom, Virgin Records in the United States, and Arista Records/BMG in other territories. Mostly self-produced by Bowie, it was primarily recorded from August to October 1996 at New York City's Looking Glass Studios. Bowie composed the tracks with Reeves Gabrels and Mark Plati, who are credited as co-producers, with Mike Garson, Gail Ann Dorsey and Zack Alford providing overdubs later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pye Records</span> British record label

PYE or Pye Records is an independent British record label. It was first established in 1955 and played a major role in shaping rock 'n' roll and pop music history. The Pye name was dropped in 1980 due to trademark issues, after which it produced almost no music until the company name and trademark was acquired by the Scottish broadcaster and music producer, Tony Currie, in September 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charisma Records</span> British record label

Charisma Records was a British record label founded in 1969 by former journalist Tony Stratton Smith. He had previously acted as manager for rock bands such as The Nice, the Bonzo Dog Band and Van der Graaf Generator. Gail Colson was label manager and joint managing director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Afraid of Americans</span> 1997 single by David Bowie

"I'm Afraid of Americans" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released as a single from his album Earthling on 14 October 1997 through Virgin Records. The song was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno and originally recorded during the sessions for Bowie's 1995 album Outside; this version was released on the soundtrack of Showgirls (1995). The song was then remade during the sessions for Earthling, featuring rewritten lyrics, overdubs and transposed verses. An industrial and techno track, it presents a critique of America through the eyes of a stereotypical "Johnny" and is characterised by drum patterns, synthesisers, various loops and vocal distortions.

<i>Outside</i> (David Bowie album) 1995 studio album by David Bowie

Outside is the 20th studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 25 September 1995 through Virgin Records in the United States and Arista Records, BMG and RCA Records in other territories. Reuniting Bowie with musician Brian Eno following the late 1970s Berlin Trilogy, the two were inspired by concepts "outside" the mainstream, such as various outsider and performance artists. Recorded throughout 1994, the experimental sessions saw Bowie conceive a world where "art crimes", such as murder, pervade society. The resulting Leon project initially faced resistance from labels due to its uncommercial nature. The project's bootlegging led to additional sessions in 1995 to revise the concept and record more commercial material, inspired by a diary Bowie wrote for Q magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Blackwell</span> English record producer (born 1937)

Christopher Percy Gordon Blackwell OJ is a Jamaican-British former record producer and the founder of Island Records, which has been called "one of Britain's great independent labels." According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to which Blackwell was inducted in 2001, he is "the single person most responsible for turning the world on to reggae music." Variety describes him as "indisputably one of the greatest record executives in history," while Barron's has described him as "a contender for most interesting man in the world."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin Machine</span> British–American rock band

Tin Machine were a British–American rock band formed in 1988. The band consisted of English singer-songwriter David Bowie on lead vocals, saxophone and guitar; Reeves Gabrels on guitar and vocals; Tony Fox Sales on bass and vocals; and Hunt Sales on drums and vocals. The Sales brothers had previously performed with Bowie and Iggy Pop during the 1977 tour for The Idiot. Kevin Armstrong played additional guitar and keyboards on the band's first and second studio albums and first tour, and American guitarist Eric Schermerhorn played on the second tour and live album Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby (1992).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Hearts Filthy Lesson</span> Song by David Bowie

"The Hearts Filthy Lesson" is a song by English musician David Bowie from his 20th studio album, Outside (1995), and issued as a single ahead of the album. Released in September 1995 by Arista, BMG and RCA, it showcased Bowie's new, industrial-influenced sound. Lyrically, the single connects with the rest of the album, with Bowie offering a lament to "tyrannical futurist" Ramona A. Stone, a theme continued in subsequent songs. The song is also meant to confront Bowie's own perceptions about the ritual creation and degradation of art. Its music video was directed by Samuel Bayer and was so controversial that it required a re-edit for MTV. The song appears in the end credits of the 1995 film Seven.

<i>Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby</i> 1992 live album by Tin Machine

Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby is a live album by Anglo-American rock band Tin Machine, originally released through London Records on 2 July 1992. The album includes songs, all from the band's two albums, recorded between 20 November 1991 and 11 February 1992 from five different venues on the North American and Asian legs of Tin Machine's It's My Life Tour. The maligned album title was intended as a pun on U2's 1991 album Achtung Baby. Oy Vey, Baby has received negative reviews, with many criticising the performances. It failed to chart in both the UK and the US. It was accompanied by a concert video of the same title, which was filmed at The Docks, Hamburg on 24 October 1991. Following its release, Tin Machine disbanded and Bowie quickly resumed his solo career with Black Tie White Noise (1993).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Universal</span> Song by Tin Machine

"Baby Universal" is a song by Anglo-American hard rock band Tin Machine, released as the second single from their Tin Machine II album in October 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gail Ann Dorsey</span> American singer and bassist

Gail Ann Dorsey is an American musician. With a long career as a session musician mainly on bass guitar, she performed regularly in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to Bowie's last tour in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seven Years in Tibet (song)</span> 1997 single by David Bowie

"Seven Years in Tibet" is a song written by English musician David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels from the 1997 album, Earthling. It was released as the album's fourth single. In some territories, a version of the song sung by Bowie in Mandarin Chinese was released as "A Fleeting Moment".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telling Lies (song)</span> Song by David Bowie

"Telling Lies" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie, written and released for downloading and as a single in 1996 and later included on his 21st studio album, Earthling (1997). The song was initially an Internet-only release, and was the first-ever downloadable single by a major artist. No music video was produced for the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Stratton Smith</span> British music executive (1933–1987)

Tony Stratton Smith was an English rock music manager, and entrepreneur. He founded the London-based record label Charisma Records in 1969 and managed rock groups such as the Nice, Van der Graaf Generator and Genesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heaven's in Here</span> Song by David Bowie

"Heaven's in Here" is the lead track from the eponymous debut album by the Anglo-American hard rock band Tin Machine. Written by David Bowie, it was released as a promotional lead single from the album in 1989.

An independent record label is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented by trade associations in their country or region, which in turn are represented by the international trade body, the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN).

Harry Maslin is an American record producer, recording/mixing engineer, and studio owner/designer.

References

  1. ↑ [ dead link ]
  2. ↑ Spence, Simon (23 July 2012). The Stone Roses: War and Peace. Omnibus Press. p. 53. ISBN   9780857127891.
  3. 1 2 Middles, Mick. From Joy Division to New Order: The Factory Story. p. 280.
  4. 1 2 Jobling, John. U2: The Definitive Biography. p. 71.
  5. ↑ [ dead link ]
  6. 1 2 "O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement | USCIS". Uscis.gov. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  7. ↑ Jobling, John. U2: The Definitive Biography. p. 72.
  8. ↑ Doug Miller, "Concert Series: 'No Woman, No Cry'", BobMarley.com, February 26, 2007
  9. ↑ "Top Earners for 2004". Forbes. 2004-10-25. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  10. ↑ "Rolling in the money". iAfrica. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
  11. ↑ Middles, Mick (23 July 2012). Breaking Into Heaven: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of the Stone Roses. Omnibus Press. p. 57. ISBN   9780857127891.
  12. ↑ "About The Book". Archived from the original on 2010-07-22. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.