In an Arts Centre Melbourne exclusive, Jane Gazzo speaks with one of popular music’s most influential practitioners, Simon Napier-Bell.

As an Artist Manger, Simon has worked with The Yardbirds, Dusty Springfield, Ultravox, Marc Bolan and T-Rex, Japan, Asia, Candi Staton, Boney M, Sinéad O’Connor and most famously discovered George Michael and Wham.  Wham became the first Western band to ever tour China in the early 80s thanks to Simon’s persistence.

In Britain he worked alongside Beatles and Stones managers Brian Epstein and Andrew Loog Oldham, taking notes and observing the workings of the music industry which he later applied to his artists whom all became household names.

Simon also discovered Australia’s very own John Paul Young—handing him his debut single Pasadena—originally intended for a female voice.

Simon’s composition credits include co-writing the 60’s hit You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me first performed by Dusty Springfield, and then by Elvis Presley.  He is the author of four best-selling books on popular music and recently directed two film documentaries.

Join us for a discussion focusing on Simon’s brilliant career and the history of popular music.