Simon Harris
Proposed for appointment by: Paul Borg, Bucks Music Group Limited, Alison Clarkson, Fairwood Music Limited, Michael Gray, Andre Jacquemin, Notting Hill Music (UK) Limited, Peermusic (UK) Limited, Barry Upton, Pete Woodroffe
Simon Harris is known as the founder of the first UK Hip Hop label ‘Music of Life’ and for his 1988 hit Bass (How Low Can You Go?) as an electronic music producer and writer with over 35 years of experience in the music industry, starting in 1978 as a mobile DJ, then remixer, producer, label owner and as a writer, PRS member. Harris started by selling pro audio equipment in London, then became a club promoter.
In the early 80s he was resident DJ at ‘Legends’ in Old Burlington St and other London clubs, then one of the original producers for Tony Prince's DMC and mixing partner with pioneering club DJ Froggy, together the pair produced remixes for major labels, including The Real Thing's You to me are Everything (No3 UK Pop - 1987).
Via Edel, Simon remixed The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, Prince’s only UK No 1 hit. In 1987 Pete Tong MBE signed Harris as an artist to London/FFRR and released the Top 10 hit Bass (How Low Can You Go?). He also mixed the first house record to reach No1 in the UK charts, Steve ’Silk’ Hurley’s Jack your Body, All & All (Joyce Sims), D-Mob's We Call it Acieed (the acid house anthem, UK No1 in 1989) with Sinitta for Simon Cowell and many more.
Harris continues to write and produce with new club/dance releases on Sanny X's Plus Soda Music and is also a busy entertainment content creator on TikTok and YouTube.
Current and recent directorships: None
Manifesto
As an advocate for the rights of songwriters, I feel that we are now at a crossroads. If elected as a writer to the Members’ Council I will focus on:
1. Ensuring that AI in music distribution platforms does not undermine the livelihoods of songwriters.
2. MORE USAGE and MORE monetised streams for your music on platforms such as TIKTOK and YouTube by ensuring that content creators are presented with your songs for their paid promotions.
3. Working proactively with PRS and standing strong in safeguarding the fundamental rights of songwriters.
As a TikTok and YouTube content creator myself I have identified KEY AREAS that could lead to more usage and your songs reaching a wider audience.
Ie: one area I would focus on are the content creators who use the platform’s promotional campaigns and could potentially be using PRS writers works but are currently only presented with a small choice of available music.
There are great opportunities for more usage in these niche areas, such as inclusion in videos that are attracting many millions of views with potentially highly lucrative results.
Also, AI tools that generate music on demand are increasingly used in ways that can strip away the rights of writers.
Songwriters and composers face new risks. If elected I will work with the board to ensure better protection with increased usage opportunities on the highest traffic platforms.
IMPORTANT: Publication of this statement, or any subsequent communication of it, does not constitute endorsement or the promotion of the candidate by the Society, or any member of its management or staff.
The statement has been written by the candidate and has not been altered in any way. The views and/or opinions expressed are the candidate’s own.
