In At One - Q 'Music Power' Poll

4 Oct 2002
The new edition of the UK's Q Magazine lists the fifty most powerful figures in the music industry - and Bono is in at one.

According to the magazine, Bono's long-running campaign against global poverty, which has seen him doorstep everyone from George Bush to the Pope, makes him the 'most powerful figure in the global music industry.' In second place comes Doug Morris, head of Universal Music with rapper Eminem at three and the late Kurt Cobain at five.

Q's music power top 10 is:

1. Bono
2. Doug Morris (Universal Music boss)
3. Eminem
4. L Lowry Mays (founder of US entertainment firm Clear Channel)
5. Kurt Cobain (late lead singer of Nirvana)
6. Thom Yorke (Radiohead frontman)
7. Lyor Cohen (boss of Island Def Jam)
8. Clive Calder (head of Zomba Music)
9. Sir Paul McCartney/Yoko Ono
10. Simon Fuller

Noting that Bono has 'built a second career' as a campaigner for human rights, the magazine points out that he has 'visited many of the world's poorest countries in an effort to raise awareness of the problems suffered by their people, in particular the effects of world debt.'

'Former US president Bill Clinton was known to receive regular phone calls from Bono and his successor George W Bush is said to do the same.

'The Pope is also believed to be ready to listen to the musician's opinions on how to help the impoverished and sick.'

Eminem's high position in the poll was due to record sales of some 25 million, as well as the controversial outspokenness of his lyrics and stage behaviour. Other notable inclusions include the late Kurt Cobain, formerly of the rock band Nirvana and Sir Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono, joint ninth, as bosses of Apple Corp, which owns the commercial rights to the Beatles.

The new edition of Q, with U2 on the cover, is out next week.

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