With the sickly virus sweeping the world, it seems no one is safe. Universal Music Chief Lucian Grainge has now been infected with the disease, he joins other high profiled infectees such as Tom Hanks, Sophie Trudeau and understandably many others.
It has been reported that Lucian has been hospitalised, potentially indicating a worse infection for the industry heavyweight. HE is receiving treatment at UCLA Medical Center.
The news comes after Lucian celebrated his 60th birthday, attended by many fellow industry heads. The likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook, veteran music manager Irving Azoff, and Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue attended the party 15 days ago as of Sunday, said sources.
The event was held at La Quinta’s Madison Club, an enclave of private residences on a pristine golf course. Kris Jenner owns a $12 million, 7-bedroom mansion in the community. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West were recently linked to a land purchase nearby the matriarch, as was daughter Kylie Jenner. Additional residents include Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Scooter Braun, Ray Romano and Alan Smolinsky; one of the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
UMG’s Santa Monica, Calif., headquarters were closed late Friday after an unidentified employee — who apparently was Grainge — tested positive for the disease. All staffers were directed to leave the buildings “in an orderly manner,” although the discovery was made toward the end of the day and a source told Variety that most of the staff had either left for the weekend or were already working from home.
An internal memo obtained by Variety reads in part, “Previously, we have committed that if there were to be a confirmed case of coronavirus infection in any of our offices, we would immediately close that location. We have just been informed that there is a confirmed case of infection in an employee based in our 2220 Colorado Avenue offices. Accordingly and out of an abundance of caution, we are immediately closing all of our Santa Monica offices, and all Santa Monica staff are required to work from home until further notice.” The source added that management already had planned to close the offices next week.
CULTR, as with the rest of the music industry wishes Lucian the best – as with other infectees and hope to see them back in action soon!
