Bono and Johnny Marr were among the stars to pay tribute to music business PR and manager Rob Partridge, who died today.
The well-loved publicist, who founded and owned the Coalition Group, commanded huge respect in the music industry and guided a stellar roster of acts. He died aged 60 after a lengthy illness.
Among the many acts Rob represented over a distinguished PR career have been Tom Waits, Bob Marley and Grace Jones. He was also instrumental in helping U2 to a record deal with Island, recommending that label boss Chris Blackwell sign the band.
Bono said today: "Rob Partridge was the first person in the British Music Industry to sing our praises. He not only had an eye for upcoming talent, he was a nurturer... a person who would educate you about the kind of obstacles you were going to meet and how to get over them... a rare human being."
Johnny Marr – who is represented by Coalition – said today: “Rob was a lovely guy, gentle and polite, but not above good devilish humor. He loved soulful music and working with soulful artists, because he was soulful himself."
And Marianne Faithfull – another act with whom he has worked for many years – said he was “one of the greatest men I have known and a great man to work with”. “I don’t know what I will do without him, we have been friends for so long,” she added.
The highly respected publicist also represented the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize for many years and was known for his uncanny ability to predict the winner within moments of the shortlist being unveiled. He was rarely wrong.
Rob began his career as a journalist, firstly as a news reporter for Music Week, then news editor for Melody Maker, as well as freelancing for a number of publications. He became head of press at Island Records in 1977, and joined the board four years later.
As media director, Rob looked after a roster of acts which included Marley, U2, Grace Jones, Kid Creole, Run-DMC, NWA, Steve Winwood and the B-52’s. His achievements were recognized for work with acts such as Frankie goes To Hollywood and Courtney Pine.
He formed the PR company Partridge & Storey in 1991, with the name Coalition adopted five years later. His widow Tina continues to work for the company.
4:01 PM | 26/11/2008
More Photos Of:
Latest News
-
New to Q tour announced!
Line-up and venues revealed plus ticket details...
-
Fyfe Dangerfield: Q gig in full
The sometime Guillemots frontman played songs from solo record Fly Yellow Moon
-
Camden Crawl 2010 headliners announced
Roundhouse headliners and more acts are unveiled...
-
Glastonbury ETC vote winners announced
And the winners of the public vote are...
-
Interview With Groove Armada: Re-made/Re-modelled
New direction, new vocalist, dream bookings for Lovebox and those Tv ads - it's just like starting over...
-
Q Interviews: Frightened Rabbit
We discuss the beginnings of band, the new album, Scott's songwriting process, Tunbridge Wells and other highlights so far...
Advertisement
User Comments
Post A Comment
I was on the receiving end of Rob's PR for many years when heading up artists & music coverage for Billboard in London.
Rob stood out from the crowd of music biz PRs for being genuine, genial and always optimistic.
The difference between Rob and his contemporaries was that he had the privilege of working with acts and music he genuinely believed in. That led to his relaxed confidence which was notably absent in the tone of most others in his profession.
Sadly missed.
Posted by Dominic Pride at 7:39 AM | 28/11/2008 | Report Abuse
I loved this man and I'm going to miss him so much x
Posted by Caroline Monk at 4:54 PM | 28/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Post A Comment