Vince -- the Prince of pop promoters for 30 years
Saturday March 24 2012The Diary salutes Irish music promoter Vince Power, who celebrates 30 years in the business this year. It was in 1982 that the Waterford entrepreneur began booking gigs at the Mean Fiddler venue in Harlesden, North London. It's fondly remembered for its Irish Rock Week each year, when local acts would be jetted over to perform for UK A&R men courtesy of Ryanair. Their reaction to eccentric performer Aidan Walsh remains a cherished memory. From the Mean Fiddler Vince built a multi-million-pound music empire, going on to run some of the most popular summer festivals and venues all over London. Among the 65-year-old's achievements was booking Prince to play his first UK festival appearance last year. Which some doubted would happen up until the moment the purple one plugged in on stage. "People did think it was a joke, and I think that was one of the problems that meant we didn't sell out," said Power. "The other thing was, Prince's booking confirmation came six weeks before the festival. Business-wise, I suppose, in retrospect, the (right) decision would have been to let it go, but I couldn't resist it. As a marketing tool, it's been amazing. I've never had such good reviews in the last 30 years." In the mornin', I'll get U high Whenever U ain't feeling 2 good I'll get U high again - U don't need nobody Prince gonna get U high - yeah! ~Prince ~ |
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