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Simon Emmerson (12 March 1956 – 13 March 2023) was an English musician and record producer. He founded the bands Working Week, Weekend, and Afro Celt Sound System.
Simon Emmerson | |
|---|---|
 Emmerson performing in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Simon Booth |
| Born | 12 March 1956 London, England |
| Died | 13 March 2023 (aged 67) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1978–2023 |
| Formerly of | Weekend Working Week Afro Celt Sound System |
Simon was born in London, the son of Alan Emmerson, an architect who had also worked as manager for the rock band Screw, and his wife, Mercia (nee Samson), a sociology lecturer, both members of the Communist party. He attended Ibstock Place School and then Wandsworth School. He attended Forest School Camps, in which his father was heavily involved, and there he developed his love of folk song, nature and bird watching.[1]
Weekend
Emmerson formed Weekend in 1981 with Alison Statton, under the pseudonym Simon Booth. Around this time he also played guitar on Everything but the Girl's debut album Eden.
Working Week
Emmerson formed Working Week with saxophone player Larry Stabbins in 1983. The band would release five albums before disbanding in 1991.
Emmerson began to work as a producer around this time, earning credits on an album by Manu Dibango.[2][3]
Afro Celt Sound System
Emmerson formed the Afro Celt Sound System following a session at Real World Studios in 1995. In the same year Emmerson was nominated for a Grammy for his production work on Baaba Maal's album Firin' in Fouta.
Among other things, he collaborated on the OVO soundtrack by Peter Gabriel for the Millennium Dome Show of 2000.
The Imagined Village
Emmerson was also the main organiser of The Imagined Village, a collaborative work from many roots artists. Emmerson also played on this album.
Musical Director at Lush
Emmerson joined Lush Cosmetics as musical director in 2008, composing soundtracks to some of their spa experiences.[4]
He formed a record company Emmerson Corncrake and Constantine with its founder, Mark Constantine.
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Emmerson was also a keen bird watcher[5] and a druid.[6] He lived in Broadwindsor.[7]
Emmerson died on 13 March 2023, one day after his 67th birthday.[8][9]
Afro Celt Sound System
Production credits
- Firin' in Fouta - Baaba Maal (1994)
- Witness - Show of Hands (2006)
- The Imagined Village - Various (Real World Records 2007)
Obituary by Peter Gabriel
- Peter Gabriel, Real World Records (17 March 2023). "Simon Emmerson (1956–2023)". realworldrecords.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
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