Richard Armitage (agent)

Richard Armitage
Born (1928-08-12)12 August 1928
Wakefield
Died 17 November 1986(1986-11-17) (aged 58)
Stebbing, Essex
Cause of death Heart attack
Occupation Talent agent
Organization Noel Gay Artists
Parent(s) Noel Gay (father)

Richard Noel Marshall Armitage (12 August 1928 – 17 November 1986)[1][2] was a talent agent, active in England in the 1950s–1980s. Among his clients were Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, David Frost and Stephen Fry.[3] Producer John Lloyd described him as "the most powerful agent in the country at that time [the late 1970s]".[3]

Armitage's father was songwriter and music publisher Noel Gay, (born Reginald Moxon Armitage),[2] and in the late 1950s Richard set up Noel Gay Artists in order to ensure a supply of performers for his father's compositions.[2]

In the 1960s, NGA's clients included Russ Conway, Peter & Gordon, The Scaffold, Geoff Love, Paul Jones, David Frost, and John Cleese.[2]

In the 1970s The King's Singers, The Swingle Singers, Tony Macaulay, Jake Thackray and Claude François were on the company's books.[2]

Armitage died in 1986. His sons Charles and Alex, who had joined the agency in 1972 and 1976 respectively, continued the business.

References

  1. ↑ "Mr Richard Armitage". The Times (London, England). 20 November 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 2014-08-05 – via The Times Digital Archive. (subscription required (help)).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "About Us". Noel Gay Artists. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News". 2013-08-03. BBC Television. Retrieved 2013-08-03. Missing or empty |series= (help)
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