Peter Hebbes, Veteran Music Publisher, Announces Retirement

Peter Hebbes, an award-winning music publisher, label executive and artist manager for over 50 years, is set to retire from the industry.

Born in Britain, Hebbes cut his teeth in artist management in London, learning from Peter Gormley.

Those heady days in the 1970s saw Hebbes work with the likes of Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John and The Shadows.

The U.K. business also represented the international interests of Festival Records and Music Publishing, which led to Hebbes’ relocation to Australia in 1977. Initially, he served as A&R Director, later becoming managing director of Festival Music Publishing.

In 1993, Hebbes moved on to Universal/MCA Music Publishing Group, where he was named as managing director. Later, he went independent, with his own music publishing, business management and consultancy company, Hebbes Music Group (HMG), which opened for business 2000 in Sydney.

The Music Network named HMG as Independent Music Publisher of the Year in 2003, and the company would work on a raft of theatre and screen productions from Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Shout and The Merchants of Bollywood. HMG was sold to Cooking Vinyl Australia earlier this year.

In 2006, Hebbes was recognised by the Australian Government with his appointment of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to the industry and extensive charity work with organisations like Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy of Australia (now Noro), The Golden Stave Foundation and Variety – the Children’s Charity, NSW.

Hebbes will retire from AMCOS and AMPAL boards during the trade associations’ annual general meetings on Tuesday, November 19th, having served with AMPAL as GM (from 2010 to 2012) and on its board for over 40 years.

“Peter has been an absolutely pivotal player in our industry for over 50 years, and his stellar career will be remembered for a long time to come,” comments APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.

“Through his work with APRA AMCOS and many other organisations and charities in the music industry, he has brought great passion, dedication and guidance to everyone he’s worked with, and he will be sorely missed. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Adds Clive Hodson, chair of AMPAL: “Peter has been a friend and colleague for over 30 years. Throughout this time, I have witnessed his selfless dedication to his writers and invaluable support to the boards and organisations he has been part of.”