Peter Jenner
Encyclopedia
Peter Jenner is a British
music manager and a record producer
. Jenner, Andrew King
and the original four members of Pink Floyd
were partners in Blackhill Enterprises
.
from the University of Cambridge
, Jenner, at the age of 21, worked as lecturer
at the London School of Economics
. After four years at the LSE he left to manage the then up-and-coming band Pink Floyd
. Jenner put on a number of free concerts in London's Hyde Park
which included the 1969 concert by The Rolling Stones
.
, T Rex, Ian Dury
, Roy Harper
, The Clash
, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
, Robyn Hitchcock
, Baaba Maal
, Sarah Jane Morris
and Eddi Reader
(Fairground Attraction
). Jenner has also managed Billy Bragg
for more than 15 years.
, then an unknown band, began to receive paid bookings including at the Marquee Club
in March 1966 where they were watched by Jenner. The band played mostly rhythm and blues
songs, but Jenner was impressed with the strange acoustic effects that Barrett and Wright created during their performance. Jenner traced Waters and Mason to their flat, and with his business partner and friend Andrew King
was subsequently invited to become their manager. Although the pair had little experience of the music industry, they shared an appreciation of music, as well as a childhood history. Using inherited money they set up Blackhill Enterprises
and purchased new instruments for the band, as well as equipment which included a Selmer
PA system. Under their guidance, Pink Floyd began performing on London's underground music
scene, notably at a venue booked by the London Free School
in Notting Hill
. Jenner and King's diverse array of social connections were meritorious, gaining the band important coverage in The Financial Times and The Sunday Times
. Jenner's voice can be heard at the start of Pink Floyd's 1967 "Astronomy Domine
", the opening track on the album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
.
Jenner and King formed a partnership with Pink Floyd called Blackhill Enterprises
. After Syd Barrett
's departure from Pink Floyd in 1968 Jenner and King broke up with Pink Floyd and continued as managers for other British rock bands.
disintegrated in the early 1980s, Jenner and his wife Sumi set up Sincere Management which managed a range of artists including Billy Bragg
, Eddi Reader
, Sarah Jane Morris
, Robyn Hitchcock
, The Unbending Trees, and Outside Royalty
.
In August 2010, he wrote for the Labour Uncut website, during the guest editorship of Tom Watson MP
.
. An extensive interview with the Future of Music Coalition
about copyright and technology is available as a podcast
as part of the Coalition's podcast series
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
music manager and a record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. Jenner, Andrew King
Andrew King (music manager)
Andrew King is a music manager, formerly for Blackhill Enterprises, where he co-managed Pink Floyd and others.King, Peter Jenner and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises...
and the original four members of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
were partners in Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises was a rock music management company, founded as a partnership by the four original members of Pink Floyd , with Peter Jenner and Andrew King....
.
Early career
After gaining a first-class honours degree in EconomicsEconomics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, Jenner, at the age of 21, worked as lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. After four years at the LSE he left to manage the then up-and-coming band Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. Jenner put on a number of free concerts in London's Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
which included the 1969 concert by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
.
Management career
Jenner has managed Pink FloydPink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, T Rex, Ian Dury
Ian Dury
Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
, Roy Harper
Roy Harper
Roy Harper is an English folk / rock singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been a professional musician since the mid 1960s...
, The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy was an American industrial hip-hop band, active during the early 1990s.The band was formed in 1990 by Michael Franti and Rono Tse, who had been in the Beatnigs, and introduced the work of guitarist Charlie Hunter...
, Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
, Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary.-Biography:Born 12 November 1953...
, Sarah Jane Morris
Sarah Jane Morris
Sarah Jane Morris may refer to:* Sarah Jane Morris , English singer* Sarah Jane Morris , American actress...
and Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader MBE is a Scottish singer-songwriter, known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. She is the recipient of three BRIT Awards and has topped both the album and singles charts...
(Fairground Attraction
Fairground Attraction
Fairground Attraction were a British acoustic pop band. They are best known for their hit single "Perfect", and for helping to launch the career of lead vocalist Eddi Reader.-Career:...
). Jenner has also managed Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
for more than 15 years.
Pink Floyd
Pink FloydPink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, then an unknown band, began to receive paid bookings including at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in March 1966 where they were watched by Jenner. The band played mostly rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
songs, but Jenner was impressed with the strange acoustic effects that Barrett and Wright created during their performance. Jenner traced Waters and Mason to their flat, and with his business partner and friend Andrew King
Andrew King (music manager)
Andrew King is a music manager, formerly for Blackhill Enterprises, where he co-managed Pink Floyd and others.King, Peter Jenner and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises...
was subsequently invited to become their manager. Although the pair had little experience of the music industry, they shared an appreciation of music, as well as a childhood history. Using inherited money they set up Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises was a rock music management company, founded as a partnership by the four original members of Pink Floyd , with Peter Jenner and Andrew King....
and purchased new instruments for the band, as well as equipment which included a Selmer
The Selmer Company
Henri Selmer Paris company is a French family-owned enterprise, manufacturer of musical instruments based in Paris, France in 1885. It is known for its high-quality woodwind and brass instruments, especially saxophones, clarinets and trumpets...
PA system. Under their guidance, Pink Floyd began performing on London's underground music
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene, notably at a venue booked by the London Free School
London Free School
The London Free School was founded 8 March 1966 principally by John 'Hoppy' Hopkins and Rhaune Laslett.The London Free School was a community action adult education project inspired by American free universities...
in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
. Jenner and King's diverse array of social connections were meritorious, gaining the band important coverage in The Financial Times and The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
. Jenner's voice can be heard at the start of Pink Floyd's 1967 "Astronomy Domine
Astronomy Domine
"Astronomy Domine" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. The song, written and composed by original vocalist/guitarist Syd Barrett, was the first track featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn . The lead vocal was sung by Barrett and keyboard player Richard...
", the opening track on the album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the debut album by the English rock group Pink Floyd, and the only one made under founding member Syd Barrett's leadership. The album contains whimsical lyrics about space, scarecrows, gnomes, bicycles and fairy tales, along with psychedelic instrumental songs...
.
Jenner and King formed a partnership with Pink Floyd called Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises was a rock music management company, founded as a partnership by the four original members of Pink Floyd , with Peter Jenner and Andrew King....
. After Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
's departure from Pink Floyd in 1968 Jenner and King broke up with Pink Floyd and continued as managers for other British rock bands.
Sincere Management
After Blackhill EnterprisesBlackhill Enterprises
Blackhill Enterprises was a rock music management company, founded as a partnership by the four original members of Pink Floyd , with Peter Jenner and Andrew King....
disintegrated in the early 1980s, Jenner and his wife Sumi set up Sincere Management which managed a range of artists including Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
, Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader
Eddi Reader MBE is a Scottish singer-songwriter, known both for her work with Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. She is the recipient of three BRIT Awards and has topped both the album and singles charts...
, Sarah Jane Morris
Sarah Jane Morris
Sarah Jane Morris may refer to:* Sarah Jane Morris , English singer* Sarah Jane Morris , American actress...
, Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
, The Unbending Trees, and Outside Royalty
Outside Royalty
Outside Royalty is a six-piece indie rock band originating from Pittsburgh, PA. In 2006, four members of the band moved to London, England where they were joined by cellist Frederique Legrand and bassist Paul Crawford-SmithIn 2007 the band were among the 14 finalists in the Virgin 'Road to V'...
.
Current work
Jenner continues to work at Sincere Management and is the Secretary General of the International Music Managers' Forum, a director of the UK Music Managers' Forum and is involved in the Featured Artists Coalition.In August 2010, he wrote for the Labour Uncut website, during the guest editorship of Tom Watson MP
Tom Watson (politician)
Thomas Anthony Watson is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East since 2001. Watson was a Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office from 2008 to 2009...
.
On copyright
Jenner has been interviewed on copyright by NetzpolitikTV and for the documentary Good Copy Bad CopyGood Copy Bad Copy
Good Copy Bad Copy, A documentary about the current state of copyright and culture, is a documentary about copyright and culture in the context of Internet, peer-to-peer file sharing and other technological advances, directed by Andreas Johnsen, Ralf Christensen, and Henrik Moltke.It features...
. An extensive interview with the Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a U.S. 501 national non-profit organization specializing in education, research and advocacy for musicians with a focus on issues at the intersection of music technology, policy and law.- Background :...
about copyright and technology is available as a podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
as part of the Coalition's podcast series
External links
- Remix Culture Symposium 2005: Panel 3: Creativity and the Commons (inc. Peter Jenner)
- NetzpolitikTV: Interview with Peter Jenner about Copyright in the digital age
- Big labels are f*cked, and DRM is dead Andrew Orlowski, The RegisterThe RegisterThe Register is a British technology news and opinion website. It was founded by John Lettice, Mike Magee and Ross Alderson in 1994 as a newsletter called "Chip Connection", initially as an email service...
- Nov 3.2006. - Jenner: $50 Per Year from Every Music Fan Would Save/Reinvent Music Industry Eliot Van Buskirk, WIRED - March 15, 2007.
- Peter Jenner: Thoughts on why the ISPs need an Access to Music Charge James Martin, posted - March 14, 2008.
- £30 'licence fee' set to revolutionise illegal file-sharing Nigel Morris, The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
- July 24, 2008.