| Feargal Sharkey | |
|---|---|
Pictured in 2009 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sean Feargal Sharkey |
| Born | 13 August 1958 |
| Origin | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Punk rock, pop punk, pop |
| Occupations | Musician, A&R Manager; music industry executive |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1976–1991 (as an active performer) 1992-present (within musical management) |
| Labels | Virgin Records A&M Records (U.S.) Zarjazz Records |
| Associated acts | The Undertones, The Assembly |
Feargal Sharkey (born Sean Feargal Sharkey, 13 August 1958)[1] is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones. Since moving away from performing in the early 1990s, he has performed various roles supporting the UK's commercial music industry, winning several awards and honors for his work in that area.
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Sharkey, who was born in Derry, Northern Ireland was a co-founder of The Undertones at their inception in 1976.[2] In the 1970s they played in many locations throughout Northern Ireland, including the Flamingo Ballroom in Ballymena and Chester's in Portrush.
The Undertones had several UK hits with songs such as "Here Comes The Summer", "My Perfect Cousin", "Wednesday Week" and "It's Going To Happen". The band split in 1983 citing musical differences, with Sharkey pursuing a solo career and other members of the band forming That Petrol Emotion the following year.
Before his solo career took off, he was also the singer of the one-shot group The Assembly with ex-Yazoo and Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke (pre-Erasure). In 1983 their single "Never Never" was a UK #4 hit.
Sharkey's debut single was a collaboration with Madness member Cathal Smyth titled "Listen to Your Father". The single was released on Madness's label Zarjazz Records in 1984, reaching #23 in the UK chart. The track was performed on Top of the Pops with members of Madness.
Sharkey's solo work was significantly different from the post-punk offerings of The Undertones. His best-known solo material is the 1985 UK chart-topping single penned by Maria McKee, "A Good Heart", which went to #1 in several countries in 1985. He also had UK Top 5 hit in 1986 with "You Little Thief". This song had a link with "A Good Heart": "You Little Thief" was written by Benmont Tench, a member of Tom Petty's band, about his relationship with McKee in response to her writing "A Good Heart" about him. His eponymous debut album reached #12 in the UK Albums Chart.
Following on from his second album Wish in 1988, he achieved further success in 1991 with his UK Top 30 album Songs From The Mardi Gras, which produced the #12 hit single "I've Got News for You".
Starting in the early 1990s Sharkey moved into the business side of the music industry, initially as A&R for Polydor Records, and then as managing director of EXP Ltd. He was appointed a member of the Radio Authority for five years from December 1998 to December 2003.
He became chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004, to evaluate the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music,[3] and gave public evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee[4] on 11 November 2008.
In 2008, Sharkey was appointed as the CEO of British Music Rights, replacing Emma Pike.[5] In October 2008, he became head of UK Music,[6] an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry. He has become prominent in criticising the use of Form 696 by the Metropolitan Police' requiring event promoters to provide data on performers and audiences.[7] Sharkey resigned from UK Music 11 November 2011 [8]
In 2004, Sharkey was awarded the "Scott Piering Award", by the radio industry for "recognising achievement in the promotion of music and the understanding of the music industry to their colleagues in radio". He is the only member of the Radio Authority to have been honored in this way by the radio industry.[9]
In 2006 he got the "Bottle Award", at the International Live Music Conference for "outstanding contribution to the live music industry".[10]
In 2008, Sharkey was awarded a Honorary "Doctor of Arts", by the University of Hertfordshire in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music.[11]
In 2009 he entered The Guardian's MediaGuardian 100, described as the "MediaGuardian's annual guide to the most powerful people in television, radio, newspapers, magazines, digital media, media business, advertising, marketing and PR", at number 56.[12]
In 2010 he appeared in Wired's The Wired 100, "Who are the people who shape the Wired world," at number 45.[13] In 2010 he received a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to music.[14]
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