MUSIC WEEK ANNIVERSARY: WHO IS THE INDUSTRY LEADER?

As Music Week celebrates its golden anniversary this year, a panel of industry experts gathered to come up with a list of the 20 most influential UK music industry figures of the magazine's past 50 years. Ahead of an ultimate winner being unveiled in April, we examine why these 20 people really matter

By Paul Williams

Since Music Week predecessor Record Retailer first appeared in August 1959 the UK music industry has changed immeasurably from being little more than a part of show business to a world-beating industry in its own right.

In those 50 years the business has produced some of the greatest artists of all time, from bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to mega-selling solo artists including Elton John and more recently Amy Winehouse.

But what about the executives who have helped to shape an industry that back at the tail-end of the Fifties still had artists doing summer seasons and panto?

It is, of course, a hugely-subjective question, but in this feature Music Week identifies 20 of the most important execs from every area of the industry, including record labels, artist management, production, retail and the live sector.

While there are inevitably many others who could make claim to be part of this exclusive list, what is not in doubt is that the score of wheelers and dealers here have in some way helped to shape the music industry we know today.