Sir Paul tells his LIPA stars: Made the most of your mistakes

Jul 26 2008 By Richard Down

SIR Paul McCartney told his Liverpool Performing Arts Institute graduates to take advantage of “mistakes” as he honoured veteran actor John Hurt yesterday.

The former Beatle handed out companionships, LIPA’s equivalent of an honorary degree, to the Golden Globe winner and several well-known faces from the music industry.

LIPA founder Sir Paul, who presented the awards, told students to take advantage of accidents and random chance. He gave the example of being in the studio to record I’m Only Sleeping on the Beatles album Revolver when an accident resulted in the tape playing backwards.

The mistake ended up creating a psychedelic effect which helped make the album one of the defining records of the era.

“We caught hold of the accident when it happened,” he said.

Hurt, who has picked up two Baftas and a Golden Globe, was clearly delighted to be given his award at the Philharmonic Hall yesterday.

He said: “I am thrilled to be here and be part of it all.

“LIPA is like life imitating art. The TV gave us the idea of Fame, which did not actually exist.

“Here it is, now a reality. And it works on both an aesthetic and practical side.”

Other high profile names being honoured yesterday included record producer Trevor Horn, who launched the career of Liverpool band Frankie Goes To Hollywood and music industry lawyer Ann Harrison.

Cathy Dennis, who appeared nervous as she accepted her award, was also rewarded for her songwriting and singing career.

Early in her career she had a number of top 20 hits before writing hit records for Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears, including Can’t Get You Out of My Head and Toxic.

The musician Luis Cobos accepted an Honoured Friend award on behalf of the Artistas Interpretes O Ejecutantes (CORR), an organisation which helps keep music of different styles and origins alive at yesterday’s ceremony.

Composer and performer Nitin Sawhney and choreographer Lea Anderson also received a Lipa award.

LIPA founding principal and chief executive Mark Featherstone-Witty said: “This has been another year when people at the top of their professional powers have shared their professional lives with our students.

“In addition to the people we are honouring today, I’d also like to thank all the people who gave their time to take a masterclass for our students this academic year.”

These have included actors Alan Rickman, Mark Rylance and Scottish singer Sandi Thom, a former LIPA graduate herself.

More than 260 students received degrees and other awards from Sir Paul during the two-hour event.

Jonathan Deamer, 21, who graduated with a degree in music, entertainment and management, said he planned to stay in the city.

Born in Surrey, Deamer said he loved Liverpool so much he planned to stay and take a job with Sentric Music.

The company, founded by former LIPA students, specialises in digital marketing.

He said: “I’ve loved the last three-years at LIPA and it will be good working with former students so we can chat about the institute.

“It was great seeing McCartney., he shook my hand and said congratulations, I’ve always been a fan and I’ve enjoyed his music masterclasses during my time at LIPA.”