The man behind the music
Powerhouse promoter Chris York is a man known to musicians the world over as being not just one of the best, but possibly the nicest man in the business…
In a career spanning over 30 years he’s worked with some of world’s greatest artists and has a roster of musicians at his fingertips, including the Foo Fighters, Fatboy Slim and Green Day. And though he mightn’t be a household name, inside the music industry he’s a hero, known for his great business sense, incredible drive, and his kindness and decency.
Chris York has been responsible for some of the biggest and best live music events in the UK – while simultaneously raising millions for charity: this 29 April, his career and his work with the Teenage Cancer Trust was recognised at the 2022 Arthur Awards, the live music equivalent of the Oscars, when he was awarded the Bottle Award for lifetime achievement.
It was a journey that began in Leeds: in an interview in 2019, the now 51-year-old Yorkshireman told IQ magazine he’d nurtured an “unhealthy interest” in music from a young age before getting into the post-punk goth scene in the city. He’d go on to study chemistry at Warwick University, but once he was elected cultural affairs officer and booked bands such as the Sundays and De La Soul, the world of science paled into insignificance.
After university he moved to London to work as a music promoter until a chance encounter with another noted promoter, Simon Moran, resulted in a job offer with the latter’s Manchester-based SJM Concerts. The rest, as they say, is the stuff of legend: aged just 25, York promoted one of the UK’s largest ever open-air concerts when Oasis played Knebworth to over 250,000 people, earning him the moniker, ‘Mr MegaGig.’
And he’s managed to stay at the very forefront of one of the toughest industries ever since, earning a reputation not just as a visionary promoter, but also as a very decent guy; the fact he’s still good friends with the artists he’s promoted and worked with shows the calibre of a man able to stay at the top of his game while continuing to nurture and support others. As Liam Gallagher once commented, “Chris York has probably put on all your favourite gigs over the years. I love you, brother.”
In 2013 he co-founded the UK’s Country 2 Country festival and has played a pivotal role in the event's media partnership with BBC Radio 2. While last year, The Country Music Association honoured him with the 2021 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award, which recognises outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the US.
A career such as his would be impressive enough in its own right, having generated millions of pounds for the UK’s creative arts industry. But 22 years ago, he began helping save lives too. A survivor of cancer as a teenager, he conceived an idea to stage a mega concert in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Held in 2000 at The Royal Albert Hall it raised over £1m to help fund the charity’s incredible work. To make the gig happen he drew on his own personal contacts to provide a free line up of global music stars including Roger Daltry, Noel Gallagher, Bryan Adams and Paul Weller.
With York’s continued help and support the concerts have been staged each year, and as a result of his tireless work and contacts across the world of performing arts, continue to benefit from the participation of some of the world’s biggest names in music and comedy.
In recent years participants giving of their time freely have included Ed Sheeran, The Who, Paul McCartney, Oasis, Take That, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Kasabian, The Cure, Jessie J, Florence & The Machine, Russell Brand and Jason Manford.
Funds from the annual concert, alongside Chris’ individual fundraising contribution, has also helped fund 28 specialist teenage cancer units within NHS hospitals. These unique units enable young people aged between 13 and 24 together to be treated by experts in youth cancers, in a place designed just for them. The money also helps fund the Hair4U wigs programme alongside nursing and support services.
“The best thing about this job is being able to work with creative people and see a project through, from its inception to a field or stadium full of happy fans,” he told the Guardian in 2015. And in an industry not necessarily known for its long-lasting relationships, York’s legacy of being not just a brilliant promoter and businessman, but all-round good guy too, definitely bucks the norm.