Orange Management (1969)

Cliff Cooper managed artists including John Miles, Smokie and Eddie Kidd, guiding chart-topping hits, film roles, and major label signings.

“A good manager is someone who knows when to say ‘no’, and really cares about the artist’s personal well-being,” remembers Cliff Cooper, Founder & CEO. “I’d heard about this massive talent in the North East called John Miles. I went to see him play live and his show was amazing. I just knew he was going to be very successful. I also knew he’d need to come down to London to record. I spoke with John and his manager, and eventually we agreed a deal where I would buy John’s management contract.

“Over 40 years later, I still manage John, and he’s a good friend. He’s a unique artist and continues to perform all over Europe, where he has a big following and plays to packed-out venues. John has played with just about everybody in the music business, from Tina Turner to Jimmy Page and Joe Cocker to Andrea Bocelli, to name just a few. He’s one of those gifted musicians who can play anything. He’s a great guitarist, pianist, vocalist, songwriter… and golfer. His hit Slow Down reached number 2 in the American charts, and the epic Music (Was My First Love) charted in every country in the Western Hemisphere, often reaching number 1.”

Eddie Kidd and Other Artists

“In 1971, I signed Eddie Kidd, the motorcycle stunt rider. He was a great-looking guy and fearless on a motorbike. He became a household name, and I signed him to star in the full-length feature film Riding High. Eddie also had a great modelling career and featured in the famous Levi’s 501 TV commercial. I was devastated when in 1996, three years after I stopped managing him, that he’d had a terrible accident which left him unable to perform stunts again.”

The Orange Roster

“I also managed the band Smokie, Nigel Benjamin (ex-Mott The Hoople) together with his band English Assassin, Cock Sparrer, The Realistics (from the US), and The Little Roosters. We went on to sign many of the Orange artists to major record labels.”