Dave Robinson (Stiff Records)

Even if you don’t recognize his name, you should know the music Dave Robinson has brought into the world. As co-founder of Britain’s Stiff Records, the Irish Robinson signed (and in some cases managed) Elvis Costello (whom he also helped rename), Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Ian Dury, the Damned, the Pogues, Kirsty MacColl, Tracey Ullman and Madness (whose videos he directed). When Island Records bought Stiff and hired Robinson as president, he propelled Frankie Goes to Hollywood and a posthumous Bob Marley into the sales stratosphere. Earlier he had Van Morrison as a flatmate and tour-managed Jimi Hendrix. Now he’s managing and has produced the new album from the British band Hardwicke Circus. Robinson, one of the music industry’s great storytellers, will give you Reasons to be Cheerful.