Madonna Always Does It Better
2004-09-11 20:33:25 UTC
Sep 10th (Fri) 2004
TV viewers asked to select inaugural UK 'Hall of Fame'
Posted in :: News
news.independent.co.uk
By Ciar Byrne, Media Correspondent
10 September 2004
While some musical acts regularly top the charts, others win
prestigious awards only
to see their stars wane and their names fade into obscurity. Now those
with real
sticking power, the all-time greats, are to be honoured in the UK's
first Hall of
Fame.
Acts voted in by members of the public - who are being told to choose
their favourite
performers from the second half of the 20th century - will join Elvis
Presley, the
Beatles, Bob Marley, Madonna and U2 who have automatically gained
places.
Organised by Channel 4, viewers will be asked to choose from a
shortlist of 10
artists from each decade. To be eligible, an act must have released
their first
recording at least five years ago, and have achieved UK chart success.
The winning five acts will then be inducted into the hall of fame at a
live concert
at the Hackney Empire in London in November. Presley, the Beatles,
Marley, Madonna
and U2 have been elected founding members because of their huge impact
on the British
music scene.
In the United States, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, founded in 1986,
has become a
national institution. A 36-strong steering group made up of British
music industry
experts now hopes to recreate that success in the UK and turn the
induction of new
members into an annual event.
They include the Beatles' producer Sir George Martin, the Eurythmics'
Dave Stewart,
Alex James from Blur, the Factory Records founder Tony Wilson,
Universal Music
chairman Lucian Grainge and radio presenters Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson
and Paul
Gambaccini.
The group has drawn up the short list, which will be revealed over
five weeks in a
series of two hour-long programmes on Channel 4. Its presenter, Jamie
Theakston, will
also give an overview of the music from each decade. Viewers will then
select one act
to go forward to the final five.
Paul Gambaccini said: "The American rock and roll hall of fame began
in 1986. The
selection is a matter of national concern every year and the national
broadcast is
keenly anticipated."
"Britain has dominated popular music for the past 40 years. It's an
extraordinary
achievement and one that is not properly celebrated," the Radio 2
presenter added.
Gambaccini explained the reasons for choosing the five founding
members. "With Elvis
Presley, you have the beginning of popular rock and roll ... the
Beatles were the
second great youth quake ... Bob Marley not only became popular in his
decade, but
became more popular in following years ... Madonna empowered women and
introduced
female sexuality ... U2 are still giants and their new album is the
most eagerly
awaited fall release in the schedule."
Artists including Brett Anderson from Suede, the Beastie Boys, James
Brown, Brian
Eno, Noel Gallagher, Robin Gibb, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Robbie
Williams and Brian
Wilson have also contributed to the series.
The Music Hall of Fame is being made for Channel 4 by Initial, a
subsidiary of the
Big Brother-creator, Endemol, which also produced the 1980s Channel 4
music show The
Tube.
TV viewers asked to select inaugural UK 'Hall of Fame'
Posted in :: News
news.independent.co.uk
By Ciar Byrne, Media Correspondent
10 September 2004
While some musical acts regularly top the charts, others win
prestigious awards only
to see their stars wane and their names fade into obscurity. Now those
with real
sticking power, the all-time greats, are to be honoured in the UK's
first Hall of
Fame.
Acts voted in by members of the public - who are being told to choose
their favourite
performers from the second half of the 20th century - will join Elvis
Presley, the
Beatles, Bob Marley, Madonna and U2 who have automatically gained
places.
Organised by Channel 4, viewers will be asked to choose from a
shortlist of 10
artists from each decade. To be eligible, an act must have released
their first
recording at least five years ago, and have achieved UK chart success.
The winning five acts will then be inducted into the hall of fame at a
live concert
at the Hackney Empire in London in November. Presley, the Beatles,
Marley, Madonna
and U2 have been elected founding members because of their huge impact
on the British
music scene.
In the United States, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, founded in 1986,
has become a
national institution. A 36-strong steering group made up of British
music industry
experts now hopes to recreate that success in the UK and turn the
induction of new
members into an annual event.
They include the Beatles' producer Sir George Martin, the Eurythmics'
Dave Stewart,
Alex James from Blur, the Factory Records founder Tony Wilson,
Universal Music
chairman Lucian Grainge and radio presenters Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson
and Paul
Gambaccini.
The group has drawn up the short list, which will be revealed over
five weeks in a
series of two hour-long programmes on Channel 4. Its presenter, Jamie
Theakston, will
also give an overview of the music from each decade. Viewers will then
select one act
to go forward to the final five.
Paul Gambaccini said: "The American rock and roll hall of fame began
in 1986. The
selection is a matter of national concern every year and the national
broadcast is
keenly anticipated."
"Britain has dominated popular music for the past 40 years. It's an
extraordinary
achievement and one that is not properly celebrated," the Radio 2
presenter added.
Gambaccini explained the reasons for choosing the five founding
members. "With Elvis
Presley, you have the beginning of popular rock and roll ... the
Beatles were the
second great youth quake ... Bob Marley not only became popular in his
decade, but
became more popular in following years ... Madonna empowered women and
introduced
female sexuality ... U2 are still giants and their new album is the
most eagerly
awaited fall release in the schedule."
Artists including Brett Anderson from Suede, the Beastie Boys, James
Brown, Brian
Eno, Noel Gallagher, Robin Gibb, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Robbie
Williams and Brian
Wilson have also contributed to the series.
The Music Hall of Fame is being made for Channel 4 by Initial, a
subsidiary of the
Big Brother-creator, Endemol, which also produced the 1980s Channel 4
music show The
Tube.