SJM Concerts director Chris York passes at 55

SJM Concerts director Chris York, one of the UK’s leading and most respected promoters, has died aged 55 following a long illness.

In a statement, SJM said it was “deeply saddened” at news of his passing. York joined the Manchester-based company in 1993, forming a “solid and unshakeable partnership and friendship” with founder Simon Moran.

“We have lost a leader, a mentor a force of nature and a friend,” says the firm. “His loss will be felt keenly by all the staff at the company and by many industry professionals and artists around the world. His influence and personality will live forever within SJM Concerts.”

In a career-spanning 2019 interview with IQ, York recalled meeting Moran at a Levellers concert at London’s Brixton Academy in 1993, promoted by SJM.

“I was there purely as a punter and this man came up to me and berated me for trying to steal his acts,” remembered York. “I pointed out, probably not as eloquently as I might have done, that that was actually my job seeing as I didn’t technically work for him. He retorted, ‘Well, you should do then.’

“I think Simon’s style and my style are distinctly different, but they work well together, and I guess the biggest barometer of that is that we have gone on to be a very successful company.”

Over the course of 30 years, he worked with artists including Oasis, Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Chemical Brothers, Lily Allen, Massive Attack, Robert Plant, Underworld, Lorde, Morrissey, Placebo, Suede and Stereophonics.

Since 2006, working alongside fellow SJM director Rob Ballantine, The Who’s Roger Daltrey and live producer Des Murphy, York was the lead talent booker for the annual Teenage Cancer Trust concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall, which have raised more than £30 million for the charity.

He also helped launch and develop the annual Country to Country (C2C) festival, leading to him being awarded the Jo Walker Meador International Award by the Country Music Association (CMA) in 2021.

“I came to know him as a lovely human being – and I will really miss him”

“Chris and I got to build Country to Country together as partners,” CMA executive Milly Olykan tells IQ. “His knowledge – gained through an incredible career, determination and willingness to take risks were attributes I really admired. I came to know him as a lovely human being – and I will really miss him. My heart goes out to his loved ones and his wonderful team at SJM.”

Prior to SJM, York served stints with John Curd at Straight Music and later Tim Parsons at MCP Concerts, having begun his career at the Venue in New Cross.

His contribution to the business was recognised at the International Live Music Conference’s Arthur Awards in 2022, where he was presented with the Bottle Award for lifetime achievement by longtime friend Lucy Dickins of WME.

Speaking to IQ, Dickins sums up York as “the most exceptional man”. “Your friendship and advice will be dearly missed but my fond memories will last forever. RIP CY,” she adds.

Tributes have poured in from artists such as Liam Gallagher, Shed Seven and Stereophonics, as well as York’s industry colleagues. CAA’s Emma Banks says that York has been a “constant” in her life since she started out as an agent.

“He’s been a truly great friend, a fantastic promoter and a great mind”

“He’s been a truly great friend, a fantastic promoter and a great mind,” says Banks. “We had some quite intense discussion at the end of the football season about the relative merits of Notts Forest (his team) and Luton (my team) as we both floundered at the bottom of the table. Although he was so very ill he was still fired up and passionate about that and so many other topics.

“I am going to miss him massively and the music business is worse off without him. RIP Yorkie xx.”

Live Nation UK & Ireland chair Denis Desmond says: “Very sorry to hear of Chris’s untimely passing, a fighter to the end, his legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with his family and his colleagues at SJM at this very sad time. May Chris rest in peace.”

WME agent Russell Lewis Warby, who represents artists such as Foo Fighters, says: “Chris was a loyal friend and trusted ally from when we first met at the New Cross Venue back in the late 80s. He helped navigate many thrills and a few spills over the years.

“Chris was often pragmatic and I learned many useful lessons from him, more often than not delivered with his shrewd sense of humour. Chris loved music, artists, all the characters in the business and touring. We all benefited from his support.

“The continued success of TCT remains a testament to his hard work for them over many years. My thoughts are with Alice, his family and his very many friends.”

“He had all the essential components of a great promoter: honesty, integrity, reliability and I always trusted him. His word was his bond”

ITB co-founder and CEO Rod MacSween describes York as “a lovely man”.

“I’m very sad to hear this news,” says MacSween. “He had all the essential components of a great promoter: honesty, integrity, reliability and I always trusted him. His word was his bond. He was devoted to his clients and had the kind of infectious enthusiasm that makes our work so satisfying.

“My condolences to Chris’s family, his many close friends and of course the SJM team. He will be missed much.”

National Arenas Association (NAA) chair John Drury, VP and general manager of OVO Arena Wembley, says: “Chris was a giant of our industry, whose leadership, passion and commitment will continue to be an inspiration to anyone in live music.

“We were proud to be able to present him with the National Arenas Association award for 2021 – with Liam Gallagher’s help – for his outstanding commitment to the live industry. All of us have benefitted from his vision and skills over the years and we are deeply saddened by his loss. Our thoughts and love go to the family, friends and many colleagues Chris has left behind.”

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