The Undertones (1975–1983) in January 1979 Sharkey, who was born in
Derry, Northern Ireland, joined
the Undertones shortly after their formation in 1975. They had several UK hits, with songs such as "
Teenage Kicks", "
Here Comes The Summer", "
My Perfect Cousin", "
Wednesday Week" and "
It's Going to Happen!". The band split in 1983 citing musical differences, with Sharkey pursuing a solo career and other members of the band forming
That Petrol Emotion the following year.
The Assembly (1983) Before his solo career took off, Sharkey was the singer of the one-shot group
The Assembly with ex-
Yazoo and
Depeche Mode member
Vince Clarke (pre-
Erasure). In 1983, their single "
Never Never" was a No. 4 hit in the
UK Singles Chart.
Solo career (1984–1991) Sharkey's debut single was a collaboration with
Madness member
Cathal Smyth titled "
Listen to Your Father". The single was released on Madness's label
Zarjazz Records in 1984, reaching No. 23 in the UK chart. His position as lead vocalist/frontman for the Undertones was taken by fellow Derry native
Paul McLoone. Sharkey became chairman of the UK Government task force the 'Live Music Forum' in 2004, to evaluate the impact of the
Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music, and gave public evidence before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 11 November 2008. In 2008, Sharkey was appointed as the CEO of British Music Rights, replacing Emma Pike. In October 2008, he became head of
UK Music, an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK's commercial music industry. He has become prominent in criticising the use of
Form 696 by the
Metropolitan Police' requiring event promoters to provide data on performers and audiences. Sharkey resigned from UK Music on 11 November 2011. In 2011, Sharkey made a one-off appearance in a set named Erasure + Special Guests, singing "Never Never". He stated that he had not sung live for 20 years and that Vince Clarke was the only person he would have returned for. Sharkey appeared on
BBC Newcastle, interviewed by
Simon Logan on the afternoon show on 7 August 2013. He spoke about his career and his decision to retire from the stage: "I've had an absolutely brilliant career... It's time to get off the stage and make room for [new artists]".
Awards and honours In 2004, Sharkey was awarded the "
Scott Piering Award", by the radio industry for "recognising achievement in the promotion of music and the understanding of the music industry to their colleagues in radio". He is the only member of the
Radio Authority to have been honoured in this way by the radio industry. In 2006, he received the "Bottle Award" at the International Live Music Conference for "outstanding contribution to the live music industry". In 2008, Sharkey was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts, by the
University of Hertfordshire in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music. In 2009, he entered
The Guardian's MediaGuardian 100, described as the "MediaGuardian's annual guide to the most powerful people in television, radio, newspapers, magazines, digital media, media business, advertising, marketing and PR", at number 56. In 2010, he appeared in
Wired's The Wired 100, "Who are the people who shape the Wired world," at number 45. The same year he received a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the
University of Ulster in recognition of his services to music. Sharkey was appointed
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the
2019 Birthday Honours for services to music.
Environmental campaigning Sharkey is a lifelong fly fisherman and has campaigned against the pollution of British rivers (particularly
chalk streams), and the regulations of the
water industry which affect British water resources. He gave the keynote address at
The Rivers Trust Autumn Conference 2018. On 25 May 2019, Sharkey was the guest on
BBC Radio 4 Ramblings with presenter
Clare Balding. The featured walk was along the River Hogsmill on the south London-Surrey border which is a part of the
London Loop. Sharkey was able to discuss his concerns for the state of the River Hogsmill, and other chalk streams. On 30 August 2020, Sharkey appeared in episode 2 of the third series of
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing to discuss the environmental pressures faced by Britain's chalk rivers, during a conversation beside the
River Lea. He reappeared on episode 6 of the fifth series of
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing on 14 October 2022, and discussed pollution in English rivers including the
Thames and
Wye. He is Chairman of the
Amwell Magna Fishery. He has subsequently become a figurehead for the campaign to prevent water companies dumping untreated sewage into UK waterways and coasts, appearing on television news coverage as well as supporting
The Times' campaign to "clean it up". ==Discography==