Kenny MacPherson Dies at 71: Remembering the Big Deal Co-Founder and Music Publishing Pioneer
- •Industry veteran and Big Deal Music Group co-founder Kenny MacPherson has passed away at 71.
- •His influential career included leadership roles at Hipgnosis and managing iconic acts like Radiohead and Supertramp.
- •Colleagues and creators across the globe are mourning the loss of a passionate advocate for songwriters.
Kenny MacPherson, a celebrated publishing executive and foundational figure in modern artist management who co-founded Big Deal Music Group and served as chief executive of Hipgnosis Songs Group, has died at the age of 71.
Throughout a career spanning decades, MacPherson established himself as a trusted architect behind the scenes of the international music scene. Before launching Big Deal, he championed numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful artists, working closely with top-tier talent including Radiohead, Supertramp, Ray LaMontagne, My Morning Jacket, and the Breeders, thereby cementing his reputation as an executive who deeply understood creative vision.
According to reports published by Variety, tributes have begun pouring in from across the entertainment sector as peers and musicians reflect on his profound impact. Colleagues frequently highlighted his fierce dedication to protecting writers' rights and his innate ability to spot and nurture exceptional musical talent long before mainstream commercial breakthroughs.
As the industry comes to terms with his passing, the legacy of MacPherson's ventures—particularly the enduring influence of Big Deal Music and his strategic direction at Hipgnosis—will continue to shape the modern publishing landscape. Industry analysts expect his trailblazing approach to writer-first management to inspire future generations of executives navigating the evolving digital music economy.