Alan McGee

Alan McGee Biography

Alan McGee is an International businessman and music industry executive (and recipient of the ‘Godlike Genius’ NME award), renowned globally for his co-founding of the iconic Creation Records (‘Independent Label of the Year’ 4 years running) and Poptones labels.  Alan is also celebrated for his managing or championing of bands including Oasis (who scored one of the best selling albums of all time with ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’), Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Happy Mondays, Teenage Fanclub, The Hives, My Bloody Valentine, Black Grape, The Libertines and Wilko Johnson amongst many others.

Early Years

Originating in Glasgow, Alan began performing in local bands at an early age (including The Drains with school friend Bobby Gillespie) before moving to London and forming The Laughing Apples, releasing their music on his own new Essential record label.  Shortly after this, in addition to managing the then unknown The Jesus and Mary Chain and running club night ‘The Living Room’, Alan co-founded what would become one of the most iconic British independent record labels in UK music history – Creation Records.

Creation Records Beginnings

Founded in 1983, Creation Records is one of the UK’s most iconic independent record labels, with an established track record of International success from its range of talented and unique artists.  Early releases included Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Jasmine Minks. The first Jesus and Mary Chain single ‘Upside Down‘, became one of the biggest selling indie singles of the 80’s and charted in the UK Indie Charts for 76 weeks.

With the coming Dance and Acid House era, Creation Records once again released albums that were hugely influential, including more from Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fanclub.

Oasis and International Creation Success

Signing to Creation in 1993, within a year Manchester rock band Oasis became hugely successful on an International scale with the release of their ‘Definitely Maybe’ album.  This album entered the UK charts at number one and became the fastest-selling debut album in the UK at that time, achieving 7 x Platinum status and generating 5 single releases: ‘Supersonic‘, ‘Shakermaker‘, ‘Live Forever‘, ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol‘, and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star‘.

They followed this up a year later with ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?‘. This 14-times Platinum album quickly became the band’s most commercially successful release. Selling 347,000 copies in its first week, ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ spent 10 weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart, and received a whole host of awards including ‘Best British Album‘ (Brit Awards 1996).  This album generated number UK one hit singles ‘Some Might Say‘ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger‘, and US Modern Rock Tracks Chart number one hit singles ‘Champagne Supernova‘ and ‘Wonderwall’ (including UK top ten hit single ‘Roll With It‘).

‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?‘ is also reported by sources to have sold over 30 million records worldwide (firmly placing it in the league of one of the best selling albums of all time), and is currently the UK’s third best selling studio album of all time, and was the biggest selling 1990s album in the UK.

The exposure that these releases brought Alan led the Labour Party to seek his influence as the head of a media campaign before the 1997 General Election (Alan was credited for changing UK legislation in order to give musicians 3 years on the New Deal to develop their craft), and for the UK music publication the NME to award him the ‘Godlike Genius‘ award. Creation Records also received the prestigious ‘Independent Label of the Year’ award every year between 1995 and 1998 from Music Week.

Following the success of Oasis, Creation continued to release records until Alan decided to sell the Creation Records shares to Sony and launch new label Poptones in its wake.

Poptones Record Label

Launched in the year 2000, Alan quickly found Platinum selling success with The Hives and their Top Ten UK album ‘Your New Favourite Band‘.  Singles ‘Hate to Say I Told You So‘ and ‘Main Offender‘ reached the Top 30 of the UK Singles Charts, with ‘Hate to Say I Told You So‘ widely recognised as their signature track, featuring on the ‘Spider-Man‘ soundtrack amongst others, many video games, and making the Pitchfork’s ‘Top 500 Songs of the 2000s‘ list.

During this time and shortly after, Alan continued to publish songs from acts such as Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, Teenage Fanclub and Swervedriver amongst others. He also accepted the illustrious position of Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, regularly contributed to The Guardian’s weekly music blog, and launched the 359 label in conjunction with Cherry Red Records.

Creation Management and Creation 23

Founded in 2014, Creation Management is a prestigious management company managing not only established acts such as Happy Mondays, Wilko Johnson,  Black Grape, Shaun William Ryder, Cast, Glasvegas, and The Bluetones, but also and many up and coming artists.  Along with Creation 23 (a 7″ singles label), Creation are once again exercising their appetite for expansion and discovery of the greatest new talent.

Alan McGee is available for a variety of engagements including: Public Appearances, Public Speaking Engagements, Corporate Speaking Events, Music Events, Broadcasting, TV & Radio bookings and Voiceovers.

Alan McGee agent contact – Check availability here