I Am A Part Of History

Tuesday, the 17^th of February 2026 

#musicindustry #history #nationalarchives #25yearrule #copyright #musicians #producers #termextension #nationalcurriculum #composing #DCMS #government #newlabour  

It must be 25 years ago, because the documents have been released to the National Archives!  

They reveal my role as Music Industry Adviser to the Government and numerous actions before and after that time getting better rights for musicians.  

And now, a young academic is doing a PhD on the topic!  

He wanted to know all about the music industry relationship with government, especially during the New Labour years. It was heartwarming to take a break from composing to recall some significant successes over the years.  

In 1992, I led the campaign that got composing into the National Curriculum (and thousands of students wanting to do GCSE Music).  

I was part of the team that secured Government support for the British Embassy at South By South West (and the biggest presence at that event - 120 bands!).  

I led the campaign to remove a copyright exception which resulted in an extra £6m a year for performers and producers.  

I led the campaign to get an extra 20 years of copyright for performers and producers, resulting in an extra £8m a year in the UK and more in the rest of the world as it became the benchmark standard.  

And now I am being studied in historic archives!