Merck Mercuriadis
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In a 2019 interview with Hypebot, Merck stated:
"I use that word incorruptible to describe Morrissey as well when people talk about how difficult Morrissey is. He’s incorruptible. He knows what is right for him and it doesn’t matter whether or not it’s right for you he is going to end up doing what’s right for him. If you are going to work with Morrissey the only basis that you can work with Morrissey is if you believe that the work is important. A level of importance that it doesn’t really matter that what happens with the conventional rules of relationships because on sort of a Dylan Thomas/Oscar Wilde sort of level the work is more important."
In Autobiography, Morrissey states:
"For the first time in my professional life I am certain I look slightly desperate. I am tapped several times by Merck Mercuriadis, who appears to run the entire Sanctuary label. Canadian, yet American, yet Greek, yet British, Merck makes genuinely impressive sidechatter and is as dedicated a watchdog of music as I have ever known. Now a responsible axis for a label in fast ascendancy, there are enough exciting signposts in Merck’s roll of ideas to soften my heart. One more strained meeting with a gaggle of snarling industry panthers here in the city of dreams and I would drop dead. However, I tell Merck how much I hate the label name because it brings to mind pasture and refuge and soup kitchens and hiding places. He says, ‘Well, don’t use it – rescue a credible imprint from the 70s and make it your own. We have Attack, Black Swan ... a host of unused labels from the late 60s ...’ ‘You – have – ATTACK?!’ ‘Yes.’ My signature lands on a Sanctuary document within seconds."
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Merck Mercuriadis (born October 2, 1963) is a British-Canadian music industry executive, artist manager, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Hipgnosis Song Management; the founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund; and the founder of Hipgnosis Songs Capital (in partnership with Blackstone). Mercuriadis has managed artists including Nile Rodgers, Beyoncé, Elton John, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Morrissey, Pet Shop Boys, Macy Gray, Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone, Jane's Addiction, and Catherine Wheel. He served as the director and CEO of Sanctuary Group PLC from 1986 to 2007.
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