Marcus Russell

{{Short description|The man who has always managed the rock band Oasis under his company 'Ignition'.}}

{{About|the music executive|the American football player|JaMarcus Russell}}

Marcus Russell is the manager of Oasis, and numerous other rock bands, musicians and singer-songwriters.{{cite news |title=The Valleys Man Who Masterminded The Rise of Oasis |work=Wales on Sunday |date=25 February 1996 |accessdate=10 February 2025 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004928/19960225/006/0006| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He serves as the managing director of both Ignition Management and Ignition Records, as well as managing director of Big Brother Recordings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/oasis-label-signs-distribution-deal-with-sony-s-the-orchard/081418|title=Oasis' label signs distribution deal with Sony's The Orchard|website=www.musicweek.com}}

Born in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, on the 22 of May 1953, Russell was educated at Ebbw Vale County Grammar School from 1964 to 1971.{{Cite web|url=https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/98211/oasis-the-welsh-ties-that-shaped-a-britpop-icon/|title=Oasis: The Welsh ties that shaped a Britpop icon|first=Tom|last=Sinclair|date=August 31, 2024}} He then worked as a blast furnace operative for British Steel at Ebbw Vale Works and for NCB at Waun-y-Pound open cast coal mine between 1971 and 1974. In 1974, he left South Wales to study at Middlesex Polytechnic.{{cite web | url=https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/honorary/marcus-russell | title=Marcus Russell - People }} Russell went on to teach at comprehensive schools in Harlow, Essex, before becoming Head of Economics at Royal Liberty School in Romford, Essex, in 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/man-who-managed-oasis-ran-16520383|title=The man who managed Oasis and ran a Welsh rugby club at the same time|first=Simon|last=Thomas|date=July 7, 2019|website=Wales Online}}

In 1984, Russell left the teaching profession to set up his own management company in the music industry, naming it Ignition. Early clients included Latin Quarter, consisting of fellow Ebbw Valian lyricist Mike Jones. Subsequent clients included Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Bernard Sumner (New Order) and Neil and Tim Finn (Crowded House).{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-noel-gallagher-managed-convince-16543941|title=Noel Gallagher had to convince former Oasis manager to take his band on|first1=Simon|last1=Thomas|first2=Beth|last2=Abbit|date=July 7, 2019|website=Manchester Evening News}} In May 1993, he signed a then unknown Manchester band, Oasis.{{cite news |title=Marcus Leads Way to Oasis! |work=Gwent Gazette |date=20 April 1996 |accessdate=10 February 2025 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004695/19950420/015/0015| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} Russell managed Oasis for 16 years to become Britain's most successful rock band of the last four decades.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/two-welshmen-who-made-oasis-29819869|title=The two Welshmen who made Oasis the biggest band in the world|first=Robert|last=Harries|date=August 27, 2024|website=Wales Online}}

Following the split of Oasis in 2009, Ignition has continued to manage Noel Gallagher, overseeing the launch of his highly successful 15-year solo career as Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Since the mid-2000s, Ignition's roster has grown further, taking on highly successful international touring artists such as Catfish and the Bottlemen and Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/we-do-things-differently-manager-marcus-russell-on-global-ambitions-for-catfish-and-the-bottlemen/076022|title='We do things differently': Manager Marcus Russell on global ambitions for Catfish And The Bottlemen|website=www.musicweek.com}} Ignition Management has also expanded to establish a North American arm based in Los Angeles, who clients include Wilderado and Sunday 1994.

Russell also co-owns Ignition Records, which has been highly active with releases over the last decade from UK no.1 album bands such as Stereophonics and Courteeners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/stereophonics-6-1226954|title=Stereophonics reveal new single 'I Wanna Get Lost With You'|work=NME News|date=26 July 2015 |accessdate=July 26, 2015}} In November 2016, Russell invested, with his Ignition co-founder, in ticket resale platform Twickets.{{cite web | url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/ignition-co-founders-invest-twickets-hits-seeders/ | title=Ignition co-founders invest in Twickets as it hits Seeders | date=7 November 2016 }} Additionally, he became owner and major benefactor of Ebbw Vale Rugby Club from 1996 to 2004,{{cite news |title=Oasis Boss Joins Scrum |work=Daily Mirror |date=12 June 1997 |accessdate=10 February 2025 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19970612/086/0015| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} during the advent of the professional rugby union era.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4577868.stm|title=Ebbw replace head coach Hayward|date=January 3, 2006|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}