Simon Fuller is an English born record and television producer. He was born on May 17th, 1960. Fuller is best known for managing the Spice Girls during their popular years, and for creating the Idol series, the first incarnation as Pop Idol on British television, and American Idol in the United States. The Idol series is now a world wide phenomenon, with many country specific versions.
Early Career
Simon Fuller worked for the publishing and record label company (A&R Records) Chrysalis from 1981 to 1985. In the mid 1980s, Fuller discovered English composer and musician Paul Hardcastle, and decided to manage Hardcastle independently. Fuller was successful in promoting Hardcastle, and the Vietnam War song 19 became a #1 hit. In response to this success of 19, Fuller founded and named his new managment company 19 Entertainment in 1985. A decade later in 1995, Fuller sold 19 Entertainment to Robert Sillerman's CKX, Inc. for $192 million. Fuller remains as CEO of 19 Entertainment and serves on the Board of Directors of CKX, Inc.
Spice Girls
Simon Fuller's most successful venture prior to American Idol was managing the Spice Girls. Although he was not the creator of the British pop band, the Spice Girls enjoyed their most success under his management. Their were many disputes regarding his alleged domineering aspects of financial management of the group, and the Spice Girls eventually fired Fuller in July 1997. Two members of Spice Girls, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton approached Fuller to manage their solo careers, which have not proven fruitful. Fuller also attempted to create his own all female pop group 21st Century Girls, but the group failed.
Simon Fuller is an English born record and television producer. He was born on May 17th, 1960. Fuller is best known for managing the Spice Girls during their popular years, and for creating the Idol series, the first incarnation as Pop Idol on British television, and