2008 Lucian Grainge MIT Award 283 images Created 24 May 2016
Lucian Grainge, the chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group International, was honoured with the prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) on November 3, 2009. The ceremony, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, celebrated Grainge’s remarkable contributions to the music industry.
The event featured performances from Universal-signed pop acts Mika and Take That, along with jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum and indie-rock band Razorlight, which coincided with the release of their new album “Slipway Fires.” The star-studded audience of 1,200 guests included artists such as Girls Aloud, Sugababes, The Fratellis, The Feeling, Snow Patrol, members of ABBA, Ray Davies, and James Morrison.
Snow Patrol opened the show with “Chasing Cars” after overcoming technical hitches, explaining they were standing in for Duffy, who had throat problems. Razorlight followed with “In The Morning” and their current single “Wire To Wire.” Frontman Johnny Borrell praised Grainge, stating, “Every time I’ve wanted to take a risk, he’s backed us up – he’s taken bullets for us.”
Although Amy Winehouse was unable to attend, her manager Raye Cosbert paid tribute, calling Grainge a “doyen of the business.” The charity auction demonstrated the high-profile nature of the event, with Snow Patrol being outbid by ABBA’s Benny Andersson for a signed U2 “Boy” print, which went for £45,000. Retail magnate Sir Philip Green topped that with a £150,000 bid for a guitar designed for and signed by Bono.
Grainge was presented the MITS award by all four members of U2. UMG chairman/CEO Doug Morris was also in attendance. Bono humorously commented on U2’s failure to release a new album, noting Grainge provides “cuddles” for the band during stressful times.
Tributes on film came from industry personalities and musicians, including Mariah Carey, the Pussycat Dolls, Michael Winner, Elton John, Bob Geldof, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, and Girls Aloud.
In his acceptance speech, Lucian Grainge expressed his gratitude: “This recognition is an honour, and I’m delighted to share it with the many artists, colleagues, and friends who have been at the centre of my professional and personal life for the past 30 years. I’m proud that music is the only industry I have ever worked in. Music has given me opportunity and fulfillment beyond measure, and I’m grateful for that.” Reflecting on his career, he added, “I was a talent scout then, and I’m a talent scout now.”
Previous winners of the MITS award include Sir George Martin, Harvey Goldsmith, the late Ahmet Ertegun, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Kylie Minogue, and Peter Gabriel.
This year’s event raised a record-breaking £568,593 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT School. The event was sponsored by Nokia, Ingenious Media, and U.K. collecting societies PPL and PRS.
The event featured performances from Universal-signed pop acts Mika and Take That, along with jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum and indie-rock band Razorlight, which coincided with the release of their new album “Slipway Fires.” The star-studded audience of 1,200 guests included artists such as Girls Aloud, Sugababes, The Fratellis, The Feeling, Snow Patrol, members of ABBA, Ray Davies, and James Morrison.
Snow Patrol opened the show with “Chasing Cars” after overcoming technical hitches, explaining they were standing in for Duffy, who had throat problems. Razorlight followed with “In The Morning” and their current single “Wire To Wire.” Frontman Johnny Borrell praised Grainge, stating, “Every time I’ve wanted to take a risk, he’s backed us up – he’s taken bullets for us.”
Although Amy Winehouse was unable to attend, her manager Raye Cosbert paid tribute, calling Grainge a “doyen of the business.” The charity auction demonstrated the high-profile nature of the event, with Snow Patrol being outbid by ABBA’s Benny Andersson for a signed U2 “Boy” print, which went for £45,000. Retail magnate Sir Philip Green topped that with a £150,000 bid for a guitar designed for and signed by Bono.
Grainge was presented the MITS award by all four members of U2. UMG chairman/CEO Doug Morris was also in attendance. Bono humorously commented on U2’s failure to release a new album, noting Grainge provides “cuddles” for the band during stressful times.
Tributes on film came from industry personalities and musicians, including Mariah Carey, the Pussycat Dolls, Michael Winner, Elton John, Bob Geldof, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, and Girls Aloud.
In his acceptance speech, Lucian Grainge expressed his gratitude: “This recognition is an honour, and I’m delighted to share it with the many artists, colleagues, and friends who have been at the centre of my professional and personal life for the past 30 years. I’m proud that music is the only industry I have ever worked in. Music has given me opportunity and fulfillment beyond measure, and I’m grateful for that.” Reflecting on his career, he added, “I was a talent scout then, and I’m a talent scout now.”
Previous winners of the MITS award include Sir George Martin, Harvey Goldsmith, the late Ahmet Ertegun, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Kylie Minogue, and Peter Gabriel.
This year’s event raised a record-breaking £568,593 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT School. The event was sponsored by Nokia, Ingenious Media, and U.K. collecting societies PPL and PRS.
