Island founder hates 'corporate' Universal

Chris Blackwell has said that he dislikes the US segment of Universal Records for its corporate attitude.

The founder of Island Records told The Times that he would not have been able to do the job that made him famous in an atmosphere where people are dishonest with one another.

Blackwell said: "I navigated Island by input. My skill is to assimilate information. But that didn't work in an increasingly corporate world, where people didn’t tell you what they really felt.

"I hate Universal - not in England, but the company in America is an example of the worst kind of bulls**t corporate behaviour."

He added that he is "particularly thrilled" that Amy Winehouse is signed to the label he founded in 1959.

Last month, Blackwell was named as the most influential British music executive over the last 50 years by Music Week, beating off competition from Sir George Martin and Simon Cowell.