Punk singer is crowned music industry's king

Feargal Sharkey, once of the Undertones, now heads the business's war on downloading

He made his name as the rasping-voiced lead singer of the Undertones. Now, 30 years after the release of 'Teenage Kicks', Feargal Sharkey is to spearhead a music revolution in British schools.

Tomorrow Sharkey will be unveiled as the chief executive of UK Music, an umbrella organisation that will represent songwriters, composers, musicians, record companies, managers, promoters, publishers and producers throughout the industry.

Sharkey will be the chief negotiator in tense talks with the government and broadband operators aimed at stamping out illegal downloading of music, which costs the industry £1bn each year. But the role will also see the 50-year-old singer launching a series of initiatives to ensure that a steady stream of young talent continues to enter one of the UK's biggest export industries.

In January, Sharkey will oversee a national programme that will see secondary schools invited to start a record label, with teenagers encouraged to write and record tracks as well as produce and market a CD. It follows a number of successful pilots.

The singer is also behind advanced plans to channel unclaimed money in dormant bank accounts into funding a national network of cheap rehearsal space and recording studios.

But Sharkey's chief task will be to lead the fightback by the music world against illegal music downloads. The launch of UK Music comes just weeks before the first warning letters from broadband operators are sent to those suspected of downloading large volumes of music for free. Next month will also see the launch of the first subscriber services offering fans the chance to download tracks, as well as gaining access to a vast music library for a small extra charge on a monthly broadband subscription.

Speaking exclusively to The Observer before the launch of UK Music, Sharkey said: 'I think people do realise once you explain it to them that music isn't for free. There is a harmful impact and, ironically, the people it most harms are the ones people are most engaged with and have most respect for - the songwriters, composers and musicians. For some reason people don't make that connection.'

He continued: 'The music industry is in an extraordinarily unique position in that young people are not going to stop being creative. And at the other end of the scale there's more demand for music in 2008 than any time in history. Name me one industry that has certainty at both ends of the supply chain.'

Sharkey's changing status - from pop star from Derry, to talent spotter, through to music label chief - has seen him become one of the most influential figures in the music business. He is a formidable political operator known to be close to key government figures including Gordon Brown and Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, as well as the Conservative chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, John Whittingdale, who was an Undertones fan in his youth.

Jaz Summers, manager of the Verve and Snow Patrol, said: 'Whoever had the idea of giving Feargal this role was very insightful because he is brilliant at what he does. For the first time the whole music industry has a voice to go to government. Feargal is a brilliant, passionate advocate.'

Teenage Kicks was released in September 1978. 'It was recorded at Wizard Studios in Belfast for the princely sum of £100 plus £8 VAT,' recalled Sharkey. 'It was the best £108 investment I ever made in my sodding life.'