The Week in Light & Sound
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Following the Conservative win in last week’s general election, organisations, also including the Creative Industries Federation, UK Theatre, Incorporated Society of Musicians and the Back for the Future Campaign, have outlined their priorities for the creative industries.
Equity general secretary Christine Payne said: “As the largest union in the creative sector, representing more than 48,000 professionals, we strongly encourage the government to take up the offer we make today of expert guidance on matters that are crucial for the future health of the UK’s creative industries.
“Equity remains extremely concerned about the impact Brexit will have on our members, in particular the need for the government to prioritise continuing freedom of movement, which is also essential for employers and engagers in the entertainment industries.
“To date, we have not been satisfied that our voice has been heard and we would urgently invite ministers to meet with us to address the key issues of mobility, tax and social security arrangements, safeguards for employment rights, copyright, settled status and funding for the arts.”
Ed’s Decade - Ed Sheeran has been named the UK's artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company. Sheeran achieved the milestone after a combined run of 12 number one singles and albums between 2010 and 2019 - more than any other artist. He's also had the most weeks (79) at number one in both the album and singles charts in this period.
Martin Talbot, chief executive of the Official Charts Company, said Sheeran had "truly dominated" the decade. "At the start of the decade, he was a little known, albeit highly-rated, young 18-year-old lad from Suffolk - but his catalogue of achievements since then are genuinely remarkable. Today, he is firmly established among the highest level of global music superstars," Talbot added.
No Jacket Required - The leather jacket Olivia Newton-John wore in Grease has been given back to the actor by the man who bought it from her at auction for $243,200 (£185,000). The Australian sold the black jacket and other possessions in November, with part of the proceeds going to her cancer research centre. But the anonymous buyer has now handed it back to a "grateful" Newton-John.
He said: "It should not sit in a billionaire's closet for country-club bragging rights." The buyer was seen with his face blurred out in a video as he surprised the actor with the jacket. He said: "The odds of beating a recurring cancer using the newest emerging therapies is a thousand-fold greater than someone appearing out of the blue, buying your most famous and cherished icon, and returning it to you."
Moving Swiftly On - Taylor Swift will make her Glastonbury debut in June - the festival's 50th anniversary. Festival founder Michael Eavis said: "I'm so pleased to announce Taylor Swift will be headlining the Sunday at Glastonbury 2020. She's one of the biggest stars in the world and her songs are absolutely amazing. We're so delighted."
Swift, who performed on this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing final, joins previously-announced Saturday night headliner Paul McCartney and Diana Ross, who will play the Sunday afternoon ‘legends slot’.
Designer Specs - A pair of John Lennon's sunglasses have sold for £137,500. The Beatle left the round-rimmed glasses in the back of Ringo Starr's Mercedes in the summer of 1968. Former chauffeur Alan Herring, who sold them at auction at Sotheby's in London, said he noticed at the time that they were damaged. "I asked John if he'd like me to get them fixed for him. He told me not to worry they were just for the look," he said.
Mr Herring said he never did get them fixed. They were sold to an unnamed bidder on Friday. The sale included other Beatles' memorabilia, including a necklace with cowbells worn by George Harrison, which sold for £10,000.
Farewell - Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died aged 61, her manager has confirmed. The Swedish star achieved global success in the 1990s with hits like Joyride, The Look and It Must Have Been Love, from the film Pretty Woman. A statement said the singer had died on Monday, 9 December "following a 17-year long battle with cancer". "You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years," her bandmate Per Gessle said. "Things will never be the same."
(Jim Evans)
17 December 2019
