Branson’s Virgin on greatness at Walk of Fame
SIR Richard Branson looked back on his career as one of the most successful music executives in the world as he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The London-born billionaire businessman and Virgin Records co-founder signed acts including the Spice Girls, Janet Jackson and Culture Club while at the helm of the label.
Yesterday, he was recognised with a Walk of Fame star in the category of recording and during the ceremony shared memories of his career, including how he helped Sir Elton John produce the amended version of Candle In The Wind following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
He said: “I was partly responsible for the biggestselling single in history. I had been close to Princess Diana and when she died I decided to raise as much money as possible for her charities by putting out an album in her memory.
“I rang Elton John and asked if he and his writer, Bernie Taupin, could alter the lyrics of Candle In The Wind – he agreed.
“I then tried to get permission for him to play it at the service. Initially, the Royal Court were against it but with the help of Tony Blair and the archbishop, we persuaded them.
“And the rest, as they say, is history.”
Sir Richard told the audience how he signed seminal punk band the Sex Pistols and how their influential album, Never Mind the B ****** s, Here’s the Sex Pistols, led him to court to defend the record against obscenity charges.
Sir Richard’s star was number 2,647 on the Walk of Fame.