UK Music Pioneer Martin Hooker Has Passed Away

Martin Hooker, the man who founded independent labels Secret Records and Music For Nations, has passed away after a long illness at the age of 66.

His passing has been mourned by a number of bands with whom he worked, including Metallica – who were signed to Music For Nations in the UK and Europe between 1983 and 1986 – who acknowledged the pivotal role Hooker played in the band’s development.

“We were deeply saddened to hear that Martin Hooker, the man who formed Music For Nations – our first UK record label – back in 1983, had passed,” they tweeted.

“Thanks to Martin’s unwavering support, Kill ’Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets all went gold in the UK, and just as importantly, he and MFN helped make England a warm and welcoming place for us at a vital time in our career. Thank you for the love, support and memories Martin, rest in peace.”

Prior to founding MFN, Martin used the experienced he’d garnered at major label EMI to establish Secret Records in 1980, where he signed Scottish punks The Exploited. The band’s debut album, Punk’s Not Dead, peaked at Number 20 in the UK album chart. Their success saw the band perform their single, Dead Cities, on TV show Top Of The Pops, and also provided Martin with a platform from which to operate.

Soon after Martin signed metal act Twisted Sister – a band that had failed to ink a deal after a decade of trying – and released their debut album, Under The Blade. Secret’s support saw the New York band establish themselves in the UK before signing a major label deal with Atlantic that propelled them to stardom in the U.S. – a point acknowledged by frontman, Dee Snider who also paid tribute to Martin on Twitter.

“Martin Hooker was the first guy with the sack to sign Twisted Sister. He recorded and released Under the Blade and gave us just enough push to make it to Atlantic Records. Also, he caught a piece of fruit thrown at us at the Reading Festival on the fly… and ate it!” wrote Dee, encapsulating Martin’s general bonhomie.

To those that knew him and worked with him, Martin was a man armed with an infectious sense of fun that he married to his astute business acumen. When he established MFN in 1983, the label’s early home in Praed Street, West London, was only slightly bigger than a broom cupboard, but success saw Martin move his operation to plusher office on Carnaby Street from which he made his most significant signings – all while continue to nurture a sense of fun and organised chaos.

As well as early releases by Manowar (who insisted on inking their record deal in blood – a point which Martin found most amusing), ex-Plasmatics singer Wendy O. Williams and W.A.S.P. (who issued their controversial Animal (Fuck Like A Beast) single via MFN), Martin was quick to capitalise on the burgeoning U.S. thrash metal scene.

He released Metallica’s Kill ’Em All debut in the summer of ’83, followed by albums by Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth and Exodus – all of which were secured through astute licensing deals.

Under Martin’s guidance, MFN continued to capitalise on the appeal of the frenetic extreme metal scene by creating subsidiary label, Under One Flag, and releasing landmark albums by Death, Dark Angel, Possessed, Nuclear Assault, Bathory and British acts English Dogs, Onslaught and Acid Reign.

Martin himself was a melodic rock fan, something which also saw him sign a number of AOR bands to the label. He also worked with Kerrang! journalist Paul Suter to release a compilation entitled Strikly For Konnoisseurs (named after the column that ran in the magazine) which gathered together a host of acts under-appreciated U.S. and Canadian hard rock acts – Angel, Starz, Legs Diamond and The Joe Perry Project among them.

As Music For Nations developed further, Martin secured the rights to entire Frank Zappa back catalogue for the UK and Europe, and worked with a diverse range of artists that included Paradise Lost, Warrior Soul, Revolting Cocks, Cradle Of Filth, Anathema and Opeth.

The label ceased to operate in 2004, but was relaunched by Sony Music 11 years later without Martin’s involvement. Today, MFN still holds true to his pioneering spirit and is home to diverse artists that include Killswitch Engage, Bury Tomorrow, Milk Teeth and Black Futures.

A modest man who eschewed the limelight, Martin Hooker’s legacy is enshrined in a vast catalogue of releases that continues to inspire music fans around the world. The artists that owe him a debt are manifold and he will be greatly missed by all those who enjoyed his company. Everyone at Kerrang! would like to send our condolences to Martin’s wife Linda, and the entire Hooker family. Rest well, Martin…