Gentleman Jim Gets A Meteor

The Irish music industry has recognised the achievements of legendary promoter Jim Aiken by honouring him with a Meteor Ireland Music Award.

It was presented to members of his family at the awards ceremony at Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt February 15, almost a year after his death.

Gentleman Jim, as he was widely known, lost his life to cancer on February 27, 2007.

Aiken was a leading light in the Irish music industry for more than four decades after giving up his teaching job in 1965 to concentrate on music promotion.

His knowledge and experience in the music business earned him huge respect from his peers and many of the artists he worked with, including Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Bob Dylan, Shania Twain, Eagles, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Justin Timberlake.

Springsteen took "best male" in the awards’ international section with best international female going to Amy Winehouse. Best international album went to Arcade Fire for Neon Bible and Radiohead was voted best international band.

Best Irish band went to Aslan, while the other major national categories went to Duke Special (best Irish male), Cathy Davey (best female), Westlife (best pop act) and The Blizzards (best live performance).

Paddy Casey took best Irish album with Addicted To Company and lifetime achievement award went to The Saw Doctors.