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Peter Harris January 15, 2008

Posted by Paul Birch in : Uncategorized , trackback

Kickin Records founder dies

12:27 | Wednesday January 9, 2008

By Ben Cardew MUSIC WEEK

Kickin Records founder and independent champion Peter Harris has died.Kickin Records founder dies 12:27 | Wednesday January 9, 2008 By Ben Cardew MUSIC WEEK

Kickin Records founder and independent champion Peter Harris has died. Harris passed away on Sunday January 6 after a long struggle with cancer. Harris founded the Kickin Records label, which pioneered early rave music, in 1988. It went on to release music from artists including The Scientist, Shut Up And Dance, and Messiah, as well as pioneering the careers of Grant Nelson, DJ Hype, Phil Asher, Matthew “Bushwhacka” B, Dominic B (Stanton Warriors) and Rennie Pilgrem. Kickin later became an umbrella company housing the Kickin Records, Slip ‘n’ Slide, Hardleaders, Stoned Asia and Slip ‘n’ Slide Blue labels, and also had a publishing arm in the form of Haripa Music Publishing in 1990.

Revolver Records owner Paul Birch, who worked with Harris on the BPI international committee, says that Harris had “a big brain but a bigger heart”. “He was big for independent cause and totally selfless, a strong advocate of moral issues,” he says. “He always fought the corner, not only for black music but for black executives. And he always had a very strong argument for more women in the industry.”

a7 Music managing director Seven Webster adds, “No music conference would be complete without the lifeblood of the industry, the happy independents like Peter. “I met Pete because as well as running my management company I once reviewed records for Teletext many years ago and as a result reviewed the first releases on Kickin Records. “From then on Peter would call me every Friday night and we would chew the fat about each other’s week and became the best of friends. While we both worked in our own separate space within the industry we really just maintained and shared a great and happy friendship and exchanged ideas, jokes and advice on a regular basis.” Harris is survived by his partner Cleon Roberts and three daughters, Jada, Yasheen and Neomi. The funeral will be held at All Saints Church, Clydesdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 1JE at 1030am on Saturday January 19. All friends are welcome. A bereavment gathering will also be held in Ladbroke Grove after the funeral service, with more details to follow.


Tributes flood in for Kickin founder

12:07 | Friday January 11, 2008

By Ben Cardew MUSIC WEEK

Tributes continue to flood in for Kickin Records founder Peter Harris, who died on January 6 after a long struggle with cancer.

Wendy Wyatt, who worked with Harris during her time as international manager at the BPI, says, “He was undoubtedly a driving force on the BPI international committee in revolutionising the way the British independents were represented overseas at the trade fairs like Midem, SXSW, Winter Music Conference.

“Always on my case to improve our services and promotion and pushing to get a better deal for the indies, generous with his praise and forever keeping me on my toes. He will be undoubtedly missed by all the many communities he was involved with, I was lucky to have known him.”

Former Kickin Records A&R man Lewis Dene adds, “Even though Peter and I had our ups and downs and he was never the easiest person to work with, the time I spent working for him at [Kickin associated label] Slip N Slide was a period I thoroughly enjoyed and still look back on with great fondness.

“Anyone that knew Peter will agree he was an incredible man and an inspiration of what could be achieved with little or no resources at your disposal. He was a true character who never did anything by the book, and that was what made him so unique and an inspiration to me and so many others. He’ll be missed.”

BPI communications director Matt Phillips says, “Peter was a real character and a great guy to know. But despite his great drive, passion and enthusiasm for the business, he was first and foremost a music lover and real family man. A key member of the BPI’s international committee for many years, he will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.”

BPI director of events Maggie Crowe says Harris was “a ray of sunshine on the British At Midem stand”. “For eight hours a day, he’d host his meetings on the stand and yet still drop a joke in between times. I can remember he was particularly proud to become a PPL Board member,” she adds. “He was a gorgeous human being - once met never forgotten.”

Harris is survived by his partner Cleon Roberts and three daughters, Jada, Yasheen and Neomi.

The funeral will be held at All Saints Church, Clydesdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 1JE at 1030 am on Saturday January 19. All friends are welcome, although the family has requested that well wishers send donations to St.Charles hospice where Peter spent his final night, rather than flowers.

A bereavement gathering will also be held at The Cobden Club, 170 Kensal Road, London after the funeral service from 1-6pm.

Donations can be made via cheques made payable to Pembridge Education Fund (along with a note indicating that the donation is on behalf of Peter Harris) to:

Palliative Care Unit,
St.Charles Hospital,
Exmoor Street,
London,
W10 6DZ.

Alternatively donations can be sent to:

Kickin Music Ltd.
282 Westbourne Park Road,
Notting Hill,
London W11 1EH

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