Feargal Sharkey

For the self-titled album, see Feargal Sharkey (album).

Feargal Sharkey OBE
Sharkey in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Seán Feargal Sharkey
Born	(1958-08-13) 13 August 1958 (age 66) Derry, Northern Ireland
Genres	Punk rock new wave pop punk power pop pop rock
Occupations	Singer songwriter music manager political activist
Instruments	Vocals keyboards percussion
Years active	1975–1991 (as an active performer) 1992–present (within music management)
Labels	Virgin Records A&M Records (U.S.) Zarjazz Records
Formerly of	The Undertones, The Assembly

Seán Feargal Sharkey OBE (born 13 August 1958) is a singer from Northern Ireland. He was the lead vocalist of punk band The Undertones in the 1970s and 1980s and a solo artist in the 1980s and 1990s. His 1985 solo single "A Good Heart" was a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands. After becoming less musically active in the early 1990s, he has performed various roles supporting the UK's commercial music industry, winning several awards and honours for his work in that area.

Sharkey is also a lifelong fly fisherman, has campaigned against the pollution of British rivers (particularly chalk streams), and is the Chairman of the Amwell Magna Fishery. He has become a figurehead for the campaign to prevent water companies dumping sewage into UK waterways and coasts.

Biography

The Undertones (1975–1983)

Sharkey, who was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, joined The Undertones shortly after their formation in 1975.^[1] They had several UK hits, with songs such as "Teenage Kicks", "Here Comes The Summer", "My Perfect Cousin", "Wednesday Week" and "It's Going to Happen!". The band split in 1983 citing musical differences, with Sharkey pursuing a solo career and other members of the band forming That Petrol Emotion the following year.^[2][3]

The Assembly (1983)

Before his solo career took off, Sharkey was also the singer of the one-shot group The Assembly with ex-Yazoo and Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke (pre-Erasure). In 1983, their single "Never Never" was a No. 4 hit in the UK Singles Chart.

Solo career (1984–1991)

Sharkey's debut single was a collaboration with Madness member Cathal Smyth titled "Listen to Your Father". The single was released on Madness's label Zarjazz Records in 1984, reaching No. 23 in the UK chart.^[4] The track was performed on Top of the Pops with members of Madness.

Sharkey's solo work was significantly different to the post-punk offerings of The Undertones. His best-known solo material is the 1985 UK chart-topping single penned by Lone Justice frontwoman Maria McKee, "A Good Heart", which went to No. 1 in several countries including the UK in late 1985. He also had a UK Top 5 hit in 1986 with "You Little Thief". His eponymous debut album reached No. 12 in the UK Albums Chart.^[4]

Following on from his second album Wish in 1988, he achieved further success in 1991 with his UK Top 30 album Songs From The Mardi Gras, which produced the No. 12 hit single "I've Got News for You".

Music industry (1992–present)

Starting in the early 1990s Sharkey moved into the business side of the music industry, initially as A&R for Polydor Records, and then as managing director of EXP Ltd. He was appointed a member of the Radio Authority for five years from December 1998 to December 2003.

When the Undertones reunited in 1999, Sharkey was offered the opportunity to rejoin the group but turned down the offer.^[5] His position as lead vocalist/frontman for the Undertones was taken by fellow Derry native Paul McLoone.

Sharkey became chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004, to evaluate the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music,^[6] and gave public evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee^[7] on 11 November 2008.

In 2008, Sharkey was appointed as the CEO of British Music Rights, replacing Emma Pike.^[8] In October 2008, he became head of UK Music,^[9] an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry. He has become prominent in criticising the use of Form 696 by the Metropolitan Police' requiring event promoters to provide data on performers and audiences.^[10] Sharkey resigned from UK Music on 11 November 2011.^[11]

In 2011, Sharkey made a one-off appearance in a set named Erasure + Special Guests, singing "Never Never". He stated that he had not sung live for 20 years and that Vince Clarke was the only person he would have returned for.^[12]

Sharkey appeared on BBC Newcastle, interviewed by Simon Logan on the afternoon show on 7 August 2013. He spoke about his career and his decision to retire from the stage: "I've had an absolutely brilliant career... It's time to get off the stage and make room for [new artists]".

Awards and honours

In 2004, Sharkey was awarded the "Scott Piering Award", by the radio industry for "recognising achievement in the promotion of music and the understanding of the music industry to their colleagues in radio". He is the only member of the Radio Authority to have been honoured in this way by the radio industry.^[13]

In 2006, he received the "Bottle Award" at the International Live Music Conference for "outstanding contribution to the live music industry".^[14]

In 2008, Sharkey was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts, by the University of Hertfordshire in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music.^[15]

In 2009, he entered The Guardian's MediaGuardian 100, described as the "MediaGuardian's annual guide to the most powerful people in television, radio, newspapers, magazines, digital media, media business, advertising, marketing and PR", at number 56.^[16]

In 2010, he appeared in Wired's The Wired 100, "Who are the people who shape the Wired world," at number 45.^[17] The same year he received a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of Ulster in recognition of his services to music.^[18]

Sharkey was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to music.^[19]

Environmental campaigning

Sharkey is a lifelong fly fisherman and has campaigned against the pollution of British rivers (particularly chalk streams),^[20] and the regulations of the water industry which affect British water resources.^[21] He gave the keynote address at The Rivers Trust Autumn Conference 2018.^[22]

On 30 August 2020, Sharkey appeared in episode 2 of the third series of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing to discuss the environmental pressures faced by Britain's chalk rivers, during a conversation beside the River Lea.^[23][24] He reappeared on episode 6 of the fifth series of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing on 14 October 2022, and discussed pollution in English rivers including the Thames and Wye.^[25] He is Chairman of the Amwell Magna Fishery.^[26]

He has subsequently become a figurehead for the campaign to prevent water companies dumping untreated sewage into UK waterways and coasts, appearing on television news coverage and gathering a large following on Twitter,^[27] as well as supporting The Times' campaign to "clean it up".^[28]

Hobbies

Sharkey holds the amateur radio callsign G0OAN.^[29]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected details, chart positions and certifications

Title	Details	Peak chart positions										Certifications
		UK [4]	AUS [30]	CAN [31]	FIN [32]	GER [33]	NLD [34]	NZ [35]	SWE [36]	SWI [37]	US [38]
Feargal Sharkey	Released: 1985 Label: Virgin	12	7	17	13	29	6	16	—	11	75	UK: Gold[39] CAN: Gold[40]
Wish	Released: 1988 Label: Virgin	—	66	—	—	—	—	—	22	—	—
Songs from the Mardi Gras	Released: 1991 Label: Virgin	27	—	—	—	—	—	—	41	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Year	Peak chart positions											Certifications	Album
		UK [4]	AUS [30]	BEL [41]	CAN [42]	GER [33]	IRE [43]	ITA [44]	NLD [34]	NZ [35]	SWI [37]	US [45]
"Listen to Your Father"	1984	23	—	—	—	—	22	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"Loving You"	1985	26	97	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	23	—
"A Good Heart"		1	1	1	4	4	1	17	2	3	3	74	UK: Gold[39] CAN: Gold[40]	Feargal Sharkey
"You Little Thief"		5	4	9	—	30	3	—	10	38	27	—
"Someone to Somebody"	1986	64	64	—	—	—	30	—	—	—	—	—
"It's All Over Now"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"More Love"	1988	44	61	—	—	—	—	—	43	—	—	—		Wish
"Out of My System"		—	—	—	—	—	—	45	—	—	—	—
"If This Is Love"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"I've Got News for You"	1991	12	193	—	—	—	8	—	—	—	—	—		Songs from the Mardi Gras
"Women & I"		86	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"To Miss Someone"		102	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles

Title	Year	Album
"Cry Like a Rainy Day"	1991	Songs from the Mardi Gras

References

1. "bio--The-Undertones". uk.music.yahoo.com.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
2. Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone ISBN 978-1-78558-180-9 p. 214
3. Michael Bradley. "My Life As An Undertone : Part Four". Theundertones.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
4. "Official Charts > Feargal Sharkey". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
5. "Feargal Sharkey: 'I will never sing on stage again' ". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
6. "Where I live – Berkshire". BBC. 1 December 2005.
7. "Parliament.uk". Parliament.uk. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 February 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
8. "BMR appoints Feargal Sharkey and Andy Heath". British Copyright Council. United Kingdom: British Copyright Council. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
9. "UK Music Staff". Archived from the original on 29 January 2009.
10. Paine, Andrew (11 November 2008). "Sharkey Warns MPs on Policing of Concert Licensing". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
11. "Feargal Sharkey stands down as chief of UK Music". The Guardian. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
12. "ERASURE, YAZOO + THE ASSEMBLY Live at Short Circuit Presents Mute". Electricityclub.co.uk. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
13. "Honours". The Radio Academy. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
14. "Ilmc.com". Ilmc.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
15. Ashton, Robert (20 November 2008). "Musicweek.com". Musicweek.com. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
16. "Feargal Sharkey". The Guardian. London. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
17. "Wired.co.uk". Wired.co.uk. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
18. "University of Ulster News Release – Honorary Degree for Music Innovator Feargal Sharkey". News.ulster.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
19. "No. 62666". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 2019. p. B14.
20. Anthony, Andrew (1 December 2018). "Feargal Sharkey's mission to save our chalk streams". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
21. "Feargal Sharkey: 'The Cam is no longer a proper river'". Cambridge Independent. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
22. "Feargal Sharkey demands immediate action to restore rivers back to sustainable flows during The Rivers Trust Autumn Conference 2018". The Rivers Trust. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
23. "Paul didn't get his 'Teenage Kicks'". Bbc.co.uk.
24. "Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - Series 3: Episode 2". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
25. "Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - Series 5: Episode 6". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
26. "Here Comes The Summer: but are our waterways safe to be enjoyed recreationally?". UK Parliament. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
27. Feargal Sharkey Twitter account
28. Sharkey, Feargal. "Feargal Sharkey: Why I'm backing The Times Clean It Up campaign". Thetimes.co.uk.
29. "Famous Hams and their Callsigns".
30. Australian chart peaks:
    • Top 100 (Kent Music Report) peaks to 19 June 1988: Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 270. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA from mid-1983 to 19 June 1988.
    • "I've Got News for You" (ARIA) peak: "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 18 August 2017". Imgur.com. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
31. "Canadian Albums". RPM Magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
32. "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1961" [Includes the hit: Records and artists on the Finnish music charts since 1961] (in Finnish). Sisältää Hitin - Suomen listalevyt (Timo Pennanen). Retrieved 14 July 2016.
33. German chart peaks:
    • Feargal Sharkey: "Feargal Sharkey – Feargal Sharkey (album)" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
    • "A Good Heart": "Feargal Sharkey – A Good Heart (single)" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
    • "You Little Thief": "Feargal Sharkey – You Little Thief (single)" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
34. "dutchcharts.nl > Feargal Sharkey in Dutch Charts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
35. "charts.nz > Feargal Sharkey in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
36. "swedishcharts.com > Feargal Sharkey in Swedish Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
37. "hitparade.ch > Feargal Sharkey in der Schweizer Hitparade" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
38. "Billboard > Artists / Feargal Sharkey > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
39. "BPI Certification". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
40. "Canadian Certification". Music Canada. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
41. "Belgian Singles". ultratop.be. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
42. "Canadian Singles". RPM Magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
43. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for Feargal Sharkey (from irishcharts.ie)". Imgur.com (original source published by Fireball Media). Retrieved 3 June 2017.
44. "Italian Singles". hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
45. "Billboard > Artists / Feargal Sharkey > Chart History > The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2017.

Further reading

• Castle, Stephen (13 October 2023). "Post-Punk Legend Leads Fight for Clean Water as Britain's 'Sewage Czar'". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 November 2023.

External links

• Ukmusic.org