Alan McGee

Alan McGee, Founder of Creation Records.

Time was, when a band was signed up by a record label they knew they'd made it. But who needs record companies in the days of direct marketing via the internet?

CDs, like vinyl records and cassettes before them, are under threat from newer technology.

The music industry is now driven increasingly by downloads and the big record companies are confronting a frightening reality: musicians and audiences don't need them any more.

Alan McGee has been on the cutting edge of rock and roll for 20 years.

He ran a record label, signed Oasis and Primal Scream, but can he survive in the internet age?

HARDtalk can be seen on BBC World at 0430 GMT 0930 GMT 1430 GMT 1930 GMT 0030 GMT.

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 0430 and 2330.