Condolences: Nigel Grainge

Veteran A&R executive Nigel Grainge, the Founder of Ensign Records and the older brother of UMG Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, died Sunday, June 11 due to complications from a recent surgery. He was 70 years old. As Variety reports, Nigel Grainge was introduced to music in the early ’50 by his father, Cecil, who owned a record store in North London. In 1970, Grainge joined Phonogram, which would later become Mercury Records, as a credit control clerk. In 1973 he was promoted to label manager for all U.S. repertoire, eventually becoming Head of A&R and signing The Steve Miller Band, 10cc, Eddy Grant, Thin Lizzy and Graham Parker and the Rumour.

In 1976, Grainge launched his own label, Ensign Records, boasting a roster that included The Boomtown Rats (led by Bob Geldof), The Waterboys, World Party, and Sinéad O’Connor, whose Prince-penned “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a global smash in 1990. The label enjoyed a string of hit songs throughout the decade and was later sold to Chrysalis Records. Grainge then launched a publishing company, Dizzy Heights, which was sold to German music company Edel in 2000. Two year later he moved to Los Angeles, where his brother is based, and went on to serve as a consultant to artists, publishers and record companies, as well as the HBO series, Vinyl.

Grainge is survived by two daughters, Heidi and Roxie; a sister, Stephanie Grainge; two brothers, Sir Lucian Grainge and Justin Grainge; and a grandson, Jasper.