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Business News Obituaries
Jo McCormack 1962-2013
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 15 April 2013
A&R executive Jo McCormack died on Easter Sunday at the Wellington Hospital in London, aged 50, her family announced last week. She had been suffering from cancer.
Born in Harrogate in 1962, McCormack worked in A&R at Virgin Records for many years, where, amongst many others, she brought The Spice Girls to the label. In the 90s she left the company for a new role with Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller’s 19 company, and later became part of the creative team behind the firm’s ‘Pop Idol’ TV format – still successful as ‘American Idol’, of course.
McCormack became particularly involved with the career of the first ever ‘Pop Idol’ winner, Will Young, who paid tribute to her last week, saying: “Jo turned from a talented A&R lady into my good friend. Super good at her job yet always modest about her ability. She made me laugh, was always bringing a sublime sense of fun and most importantly was a source of inspiration and unfaltering support and love. Her variety of dances for any new demo that came in became legendary! Jo will live on for me in my memories and my heart for the rest of my life. May you rest in peace Jo”.
Simon Fuller and his family also issued a statement, saying: “This was a special girl. She was cool, irreverent and beautiful. Passionate about music, bright as a spark and took no nonsense. She had a sense of humour second to none, was a loving, devoted mother and wife and still found the time to be a wonderful and loyal friend. Jo McCormack we will miss you more than you will ever know and nothing will ever be the same again”.
Meanwhile, her husband Mike said: “If ever proof were needed that life can be cruel and unfair, Jo’s early passing is a truly painful example. She was a generous, kind spirit, a devoted and caring mother loved and respected by her friends, colleagues and the artists she worked with. It’s tragic that she had to endure such a painful and debilitating struggle for so long, only to finally lose her life this past weekend. It’s a devastating loss for myself and the children who loved her dearly”.
Jo McCormack is survived by her husband Mike, their son Connor and daughter Esme.
