Thursday, September 22, 2016

Muff Winwood to be crowned an A&R icon

Good news for Spencer Davis Group enthusiasts from Music Business Worldwide:
Mervyn ‘Muff’ Winwood will receive the prestigious A&R Icon gong at The A&R Awards in association with Abbey Road Studios on the evening of Wednesday, November 2. 
The prize recognises ‘a remarkable individual whose momentous professional feats continue to inspire the UK A&R community’ – a description which perfectly suits the former CBS, Sony Music and Island Records exec.
Muff Winwood, the bass player with the Spencers and Steve's older brother, went on to have a great career on the other side of the microphone.

The website quotes a couple of tributes to him.

Elton John says:
“Muff Winwood is without doubt one of the greatest A&R men in the history of British music. 
“He introduced me and millions of others to countless new talent. He was SO supportive of his acts. 
“He was unbelievably helpful to me and Bernie in our early days which was invaluable and something I will never forget.”
And Mark Knopfler says:
“Muff was hard-working, straightforward and easy to work with and the album was recorded and mixed inside three weeks. 
“I can still hear his Birmingham accent coming over the talk back after a take: ‘If we can’t make a record out of that we’re all custards.’ I still use that one now. 
“Congratulations on the award, Muff, and thank you for everything you’ve done for so many in music.”
All of which is a good excuse to listen to this...

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