Ted Perry

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Ted Perry
Born
George Edward Perry

(1931-05-15)15 May 1931
Derby, England
Died9 February 2003(2003-02-09) (aged 71)
London, England
OccupationRecord executive
Known forFounder of Hyperion Records
SpouseDoreen Perry (div. 1981 or 1991)
Children3
AwardsMBE (1990)

George Edward "Ted" Perry (15 May 1931 – 9 February 2003) was a British record executive and founder of classical music label Hyperion Records.[1][2]

Early life

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Perry grew up in a working-class family in Derby. A childhood hip operation left him unable to take part in sports, leading to an early passion for music. He started memorizing classical record catalogues and began working at a record shop in London as a teenager.[2] He later joined Deutsche Grammophon’s London office in 1956 before moving to Sydney in 1957 to work for Festival Records.[1][2]

Career

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Returning to Britain in 1961, Perry joined the Saga music label as director of artists and repertory. After various roles in the industry and co-founding Meridian Records, he established Hyperion in 1980 with his wife Doreen Perry and another partner.[2] To support the business in its early years, he worked as a mini-cab driver during the night while his family helped package records.[1]

Hyperion gained early success with recordings such as A Feather on the Breath of God (1982), featuring the music of Hildegard of Bingen. Releasing "Sacred Vocal Music of Monteverdi" (1984) also proved to be a big succces. Performers were soprano Emma Kirkby, tenor Ian Partridge and bass David Thomas.[2] The label became known for exploring lesser-known repertoire, including Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic works, as well as a comprehensive 36-CD cycle of songs of Franz Schubert led by Graham Johnson.[1][2] Perry often promoted emerging artists over established stars, supporting performers like Leslie Howard and Stephen Hough.[1] Eventually Hyperion Records became the biggest independent classical label in Great Britain.[2]

Later life and death

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Perry was appointed MBE in 1990 for services to music.[1] He died of lung cancer in London on 9 February 2003 at the age of 71.[2] He was survived by a son and two daughters.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Blyth, Alan (13 February 2003). "Ted Perry". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kozinn, Allan (11 February 2003). "Ted Perry, 71, the Founder Of the Hyperion Record Label". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 October 2025.