SJM has led the tributes to Chris York, who worked with some of the biggest artists on the planet, from Oasis and Foo Fighters to Massive Attack and Robert Plant.
Manchester promoter, SJM, announced that he had died, aged 55, following a long illness.
York joined Simon Moran at SJM in 1993 and worked to establish the company as one of the country’s leading promoters.
A director of the company, he formed a “solid and unshakeable partnership and friendship with Simon that would last the rest of his career.”
“Since 2006, working alongside The Who’s Roger Daltrey, live producer Des Murphy and fellow SJM Director Rob Ballantine, Chris was the lead talent booker for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust spring residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall,” said SJM’s tribute.
“To date the concerts have raised well over £30 million for the charity and has featured concerts by a who’s who of UK music including Take That, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, New Order and Sir Paul McCartney.”
Funds from the concert have helped set up 28 specialist teenager cancer units in NHS hospitals.
He also helped launch and develop the Country to Country (C2C) Music festival which has been instrumental in finding a new and ever-increasing audience for country music in the UK.
In 2021 he was awarded the prestigious Jo Walker Meador International Award by the Country Music Association. A year later at the International Live Music Conference, he was presented with its Bottle Award for Lifetime Achievement.
“Chris is survived by a concert promoting company that has won the Music Week Promoter of the Year Award 10 times, holds the record for biggest selling UK concert tour in history, the biggest selling UK comedy tour in history, employs over 80 full time staff and a similar number of freelance staff, and currently has over 1000 shows on sale,” said SJM.
“It is a company shaped and forged by Chris, Simon and Rob over 3 decades that has helped define the UK’s live music scene.”
York was just 25 when he promoted Oasis’ Knebworth concert, where the band played to more than 250k people.
[image: SJM]
RIP CHRIS YORK
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) July 25, 2024
Very sad to hear that Chris York has passed away. A music industry legend who gave us so many opportunities to cut our teeth as a live band & continued to work & support us & so many artists who’ve worked with SJM over the years. Thoughts are with his family & colleagues.
— James Walsh (@jamesstarsailor) July 25, 2024
Chris York played a pivotal role in shaping our career from the very beginning, standing by us every step of the way. A kind and inspirational man, a true gent, one of the good guys. Heartbroken to hear this news. Sending our ❤️ to his family, we were proud to be his friend x https://t.co/Gm1sW3I2N7
— Shed Seven (@shedseven) July 25, 2024
I always enjoyed seeing Chris in the dressing room before a show (last time was at the Albert Hall in 2023). He showed incredible strength and resilience. Our thoughts are with his friends & family. Big love. Kelly https://t.co/AqaIzXNmTY
— stereophonics (@stereophonics) July 25, 2024
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chris York. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues. Chris was one of the best in the business and will be greatly missed. https://t.co/uWLhvpWuIP
— York Barbican (@yorkbarbican) July 25, 2024
