ROCK HISTORY SIMON DRAPER EPISODE ONE

Simon Draper is a British music executive best known for his pivotal role in building Virgin Records into one of the most influential record labels of the 1970s and 1980s. Born in South Africa, Draper studied English and Politics at Natal University in Durban, where he developed a passion for music — collecting records and hosting a radio show as a young man. In 1971 at age 20, he moved to London intending to continue his studies, but instead walked into the fledgling business of his second cousin, Richard Branson, who was then running a small mail-order record operation called Virgin.

What began as a temporary job quickly became a career. Branson, recognising Draper’s deep musical knowledge, put him in charge of establishing Virgin Records. Draper became the aesthetic and artistic force behind the label, shaping its musical identity and reputation for adventurous signings and innovative creative direction. Under his leadership, Virgin signed and championed an eclectic roster of artists, ranging from avant-garde and progressive acts to mainstream successes. Among the artists associated with Draper’s tenure were Mike Oldfield, The Human League, Culture Club, Phil Collins, Simple Minds, and the Sex Pistols — acts that helped define Virgin’s reputation as a cutting-edge home for both pop and experimental music.

Draper served as chairman of Virgin Records and held a significant ownership stake in the company during its most successful period. In 1992, when Branson sold Virgin Records to EMI for approximately $1 billion, Draper retired from the company. After leaving the record business, he founded Palawan Press, a publishing house producing luxury limited-edition books, often reflecting his interests in art and classic automobiles.

Respected for his intuitive ear and commitment to artistic ambition, Draper’s influence on British popular music — especially through Virgin’s golden era — remains widely acknowledged by industry insiders and artists alike.