JK........Simon seems to be getting a bit of stick on the Tipsheet lately
You know the guy, probably better than anyone on here who is stipulating if he is good at his job or not, or even if he know what's he doing (he seems to be making himself a good living, when other people are falling by the wayside).
Come on JK, give us the inside info on Simon.

Simon is one of the nicest people and best friends you could hope for.
He's also always been great at breaking projects, tracks and artistes.
He's weakest, though, in actually making or causing to be made great music.
But even there he can be excellent. He found, made and broke Flying Without Wings which was a really terrific record.
I think he's now both benefitting and suffering from the success he's created.
I suspect he is not entirely happy.

The other interesting thing with Simon is that despite his recent evelvation to stardom and mega mega bucks, he still goes out of his way to hello whenever he sees you which is unusual in this business.

As for his musical talent he's more a spotter of clever opportunities that can make good money. He doesn't go out spotting bands or singers but he is clever at A&R in that he can develop an idea into big sales. I think he'd be the first to admit that he isn't an A&R man in the tradional sense and whilst not being a fan of the vast majority of his projects he is bloody good at what he does.

Im interested in knowing,do you think Simon would ever sign a rock act or has he in the past,ive only known him for his pop acts,big t

Though I have criticised his "musical" talent he does come accross as a very nice bloke on the documentaries that have been on TV about him.

But comparing him to John Peel and JK is not possible because I feel that both John Peel and JK were/are open to new things and took chances with what they like(d). His lack of risk taking means that everything he does is so formulaic it lacks the vital ingredient that is passion.

I think that would be the main criticism I would level against him - yes Flying is a great song - but can you name one act he has discovered that has real passion in their music and because of that has done something original ?

Who Let The Dogs Out and Everyone has gone to the Moon are unique and original tracks.

I rest my case

I think he'd do the same as with any other project - look at the market and if he feels he can make money then do it !

Cowell just signed Absent Element and of course Bo Brice but only because he had to as they were finalists in American Idol.

sadly it seems cowel would rather invest in a band then make them do covers rather than look at artists who write there own songs

I like him; he makes me laugh until I remember - Clifford is behind him and he's SUCH a sleazeball.