Tributes have been made from across the live music industry Chris Yorkone of the UK's leading promoters and director of SJM Concerts, after his death aged 55 after a long illness.
In a statement on Thursday (July 25), SJM Concerts said the company was “deeply saddened” to announce the death of a man who “helped define the UK live music scene” over the past three decades.
Yorke's career in the live music industry began in the late 1980s when he began booking gigs at Warwick University, where he was a student.
After finishing his studies, Yorke worked as a booker at London's The Venue – booking early shows from Pulp, Suede and PJ Harvey – before deepening his knowledge of the live business with roles at UK promoters Straight Music and MCP Concerts.
In 1993, Yorke joined SJM Concerts, where he “formed a solid and unwavering partnership and friendship” with the company's founder, Simon Moranthis “will last for the rest of his career,” the Manchester-based company said in a statement.
Artists York promoted during his three decades at SJM included Oasis, Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Chemical Brothers, Lily Allen, Massive Attack, Smashing Pumpkins, Underworld, Robert Plant, Underworld, Lorde, Morrissey, Lorde , Placebo, Kraftwerk, Swedish House Mafia, Suede and Stereophonics, among many others.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, The Doves, The Pogues, Stereophonics and Suede are among the many acts who have posted tributes on social media.
“Chris York was a true unsung hero of the music world,” Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess wrote in X, adding that the British group “are proud” to have called York a friend.
“You might not recognize the name, but if you're a concert-goer in London then you'll have been to one of thousands of concerts [York] wear through SJM,” said Suede bassist Mat Osman, who called York “a huge friend and supporter” of the group. “He put on suede performances from the lowest to the highest and was a constant presence in our career,” he added.
In a post on X, British indie rock band Shed Seven said they were “hurt” to hear of York's death. The promoter “has been instrumental in shaping our career from the start, standing by us every step of the way,” said the band, who topped the UK album charts earlier this year. Shed Seven went on to call York “a kind and inspiring man, a true gentleman, one of the good guys”.
These sentiments were echoed by UK venue provider Academy Music Group, who called York “a force of nature, a great promoter, an industry pioneer and above all, a genuine music lover and a very good human being”.
During his career, York also worked closely with Roger Daltrey of The Who, a live producer De Murphy and fellow director of SJM Rob Balladin to establish the Teenage Cancer Trust annual spring concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall. Since its inception in 2006, the event has raised more than £30 million ($38 million) for charity with everyone from Ed Sheeran to New Order and Paul McCartney taking part.
In 2021, York was awarded the Jo Walker Meador International Award by the Country Music Association for his work on the Country to Country (C2C) Music Festival, which SJM launched in 2013 in partnership with AEG Europe. Since then, the event has grown to become Europe's biggest country music festival, taking place annually at The O2 Arena in London, OVO Hydro in Glasgow and The SSE Arena in Belfast.
“When he was involved in the launch of C2C, Chris really knew everything about the country. But to his credit he knew what to do and immersed himself in every aspect of it and soon became a useful oracle for the country, which he always maintained.” Steve HomerCEO of AEG Presents UK, says Advertising sign. “It's left a big hole in the live music industry and I'm not sure it will ever be filled.”
“Chris was so loved by the business as you can see from the tributes pouring in from far and wide.” Emma Banksco-head of the world tour at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and a close friend of York's, he tells Billboard.
“I will miss working with him. I will miss his wisdom. I will miss talking to him about almost anything and laughing with him,” adds Banks. “My thoughts are with Alice, his family, friends and the SJM team.”
Tribute was also paid by the chairman of Live Nation UK and Ireland Dennis Desmond, who said York was “a fighter to the end. His legacy will live on.”
