INTERVIEW: John Giddings
JOHN GIDDINGS: Mr Isle of Wight Festival
He might have been taking centre stage at the Isle of Wight Festival instead of organising the famed bash if life had worked out differently. Dubbed the world’s greatest promoter he currently boasts megastars such as Madonna, Lady GaGa and U2 on the roster of his London-based agency Solo.
By ALAN CARSON
HOWEVER, the 57-year-old actually kickstarted his mu- sical odyssey earning beer money by plucking bass guitar alongside mates in a university band. But the self-confessed rocker admits he quickly realised if he wanted to make his mark in the industry it was time to axe the instrument. Sipping a cappuccino, John grins: “I’ve always loved music and thought I would end up being a full-time musician. “I was a bass player in a band called White Summer and my mate taught me ‘Sunshine of Your Life’, ‘Foxy Lady’ and the likes. “I had a great time, we even played gigs and got paid for doing it. We were all music freaks who lived and breathed it. “But when you attempt to be a musician only to find out you’re simply faking it, it can be tough. “Tat’s when I real-
66
www.styleofwight.co.uk
ised I might be better at booking the gig rather than being the gig. “It also meant I could continue to be close to music in my career and help other people achieve their dream. “I’ve never been on a stage in front of 100,000 people, apart
from to announce a group. “But it must be the most amazing feeling in the world to entertain so many people. “I cried when I put Genesis on stage at Knebworth or in-
troduced the Rolling Stones or U2. Tat’s the closest I’ve been to understanding how it must be. “Tere is just an ex- traordinary well of emotion comes right up your back and tingles your spine. “U2 recently played Soccer City in Johan- nesburg in South Africa which they built for the World Cup. “When they walked out on stage it was like gladiators en- tering the Colosseum.
Advertising: Call (01983) 861 007
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92