David Ferguson (musician)
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David William Ferguson (24th May, 1953 – 5th July, 2009) was a musician, composer, and music creators' rights activist.[1]
David Ferguson was one of Britain’s most successful television composers.[2] He served for six years as chairman of The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA, now The Ivors Academy) and was awarded a Fellowship, BASCA’s highest honour. Ferguson was also, for several years, director at the board of Performing Rights Society (PRS) and Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS). David’s vision was of an international, united voice across the continents, of authors speaking out for their rights. He was one of the driving forces behind the creation of the European Composer & Songwriter Alliance, based in Brussels and now celebrating its 10th anniversary, with members in 27 countries.
Ferguson formed the group Random Hold with David Rhodes[3] which toured with Peter Gabriel. Ferguson wrote the themes to many iconic television dramas and films, such as The Ice House,[4] starring Daniel Craig, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Cracker and Rebus. Later in his career Ferguson campaigned to protect intellectual property rights in music compositions and songs[2]. In 2017, the BASCA Trust (now The Ivors Academy Trust) organised the inaugural David Ferguson Lecture.[5]
Early Life[edit]
David Ferguson was born in South London in 1953.
Ferguson attended Bessemer Grange school in Southwark and was subsequently awarded a scholarship to Dulwich College in 1964. After Dulwich College, Ferguson took a degree in Slavonic studies at London University.[2]
1979–1985 Random Hold[edit]
Ferguson and David Rhodes formed the band Random Hold. The band signed to Polydor and recorded their debut album[6] with Peter Hammill of Van der Graaf Generator at John Lennon’s former home, Tittenhurst Park. The band were taken under Peter Gabriel’s wing and toured with him, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and XTC. During this period Ferguson contributed keyboards and vocals to Peter Gabriel’s worldwide hit, “Biko”.[1]
1983–2005 television and film music[edit]
Ferguson wrote numerous television theme tracks including the 1987 Granada documentary The Sword of Islam which won an Emmy and BAFTA award.[1]
By 48, Ferguson was regarded as one of the top British film and television composers. His list of credits included major documentary series American Visions (BBC/Time Inc, 1996), the psychological thriller The Woman In White (1997);[7] the action movie Hostile Waters (1997),[8] and the highly acclaimed drama Cracker,[9] starring Robbie Coltrane. In 2000, Ferguson composed the music for the first four episodes of the TV detective series Rebus, based on the Inspector Rebus books by Ian Rankin and starring John Hannah. In 2003 Ferguson wrote the music for the TV film Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde also starring John Hannah.[10]
During this period, Ferguson also continued to compose and release pop music. In 1998 he released the album, The View from Now.[11]
Campaigning for music creators' rights[edit]
Ferguson was a campaigner for music creator rights[12] and played a leading role in the Association of Professional Composers, now the Ivors Academy of Music Creators. Ferguson became a key player in the setting up of the pan-European network of music writers, the European Composers and Songwriters Alliance (ECSA), based in Brussels.[13]
Personal Life, Health Issues and Death[edit]
In 2007 Ferguson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[2] In February 2009, he married Silvina Munich, a fellow music rights activist whom he met while lobbying in France. His final public appearance was at the Ivor Novello Awards in May 2009, where was awarded BASCA's highest accolade, the Academy Fellowship.[14]
David Ferguson died of pancreatic cancer on July 5, 2009, aged 56.[15]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "David Ferguson: musician, composer and rights activist". The Times. 2023-09-23. p. 51. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Fishlock, Mark (2009-07-28). "David Ferguson | Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ↑ "Random Hold". Apple Music. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ↑ "David Ferguson | Compositions". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "BASCA Trust Launches Annual Lecture Series". www.recordoftheday.com. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ↑ Random Hold - Random Hold | Releases | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-09-23
- ↑ "The Woman in White (1997)". BFI. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "Hostile Waters (1997)". BFI. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "David Ferguson | Compositions". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "David Ferguson". BFI. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "David Ferguson Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ Taylor, Mark (2021-09-28). "David Ferguson's legacy". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
- ↑ Taylor, Mark (2021-09-28). "David Ferguson's legacy". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ↑ "Fellows | The Ivors Academy | Champions of Music Creators". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ↑ "Tributes To BASCA's David Ferguson". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
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