Richard Armitage (agent)

Armitage's father was songwriter and music publisher Noel Gay, (born Reginald Moxon Armitage),^[2] Armitage joined his father's publishing business, and took charge when he died in 1954.^[1] Among his clients were Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, David Frost and Stephen Fry.^[3]

In the late 1950s Richard set up Noel Gay Artists (NGA) in order to ensure a supply of performers for his father's compositions.^[2] In the 1960s, NGA's clients included Russ Conway, Peter & Gordon, The Scaffold, Geoff Love, Paul Jones, David Frost, and John Cleese. Producer John Lloyd described him as "the most powerful agent in the country at that time [the late 1970s]".^[3]

In the 1970s The King's Singers, The Swingle Singers, Tony Macaulay, Jake Thackray and Claude François were on the company's books.^[2] His sons Charles and Alex joined the agency in 1972 and 1976 respectively.^[2] Charles had previously worked as a record promotions executive in the United States.^[4]

Armitage and his sons were producers for a revival of his father's popular musical, Me and My Girl which debuted in London in February 1985 and for which Stephen Fry (who was also a client of Armitage) wrote 'the Book'. The production went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Music in 1985.^[5][6]

Armitage married and divorced twice, to Caroline Hay and Gabrielle Lloyd. He had two sons with Hay, Charles and Alex.^[1]

Armitage died of a heart attack at his home in Stebbing on November 17, 1986 at the age of 58.^[7] After his death, his sons carried on managing the business.^[2]