Deacon Blue says artists must “wake up” as artificial intelligence threatens the creative industries.
Deacon Blue members Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh have voiced their views about the UK Government’s planned changes to AI copyright laws
Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh – two original members of the Scottish pop/rock band – have called for musicians to “take charge of their career” and for the music industry to protect songwriters as the British Government seeks to allow AI firms to use copyright-protected work without permission.
It comes as Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and more than 1,000 other singers hit back at the controversial proposal by releasing a silent album called ‘Is This What We Want?’ in February 2025, which Ricky was grateful for as they were “taking up the fight”.
The 67-year-old frontman told ContactMusic.com: “The silent album that came out, I think that was a really good thing.
“Musicians have got to wake up and fight back.
“When I started in songwriting and publishing, it was common then for publishers to have 50 per cent of royalties. We all fought back against these things.
“Things don’t happen by osmosis, you know.
“So it’s important for musicians to take charge of their career and for the music industry to look and see what the future is, and make sure that you’re protecting songwriters.
“So, yes, it’s really important stuff, and I’m grateful for people who are taking up the fight.”
A spokesperson for the UK Government said the planned changes to the legislation would “protect the interests of both AI developers and right holders [to] deliver a solution which allows both to thrive” – which Ricky and his wife Lorraine have cast…
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