Rob Partridge was a UK music industry veteran who founded and ran the Coalition Group, a powerful management and PR firm. Partridge began his career in the mid ’70s when he worked as a journalist Music Week. By the late ’70s, he was the head of the publicity department at Island Records where he worked directly with such greats as Bob Marley, Marianne Faithfull, U2, Steve Winwood and Robert Palmer. He left Island in 1990 to form a PR firm which would eventually be called the Coalition Group after he opened a management division of the company. Over the years, Partridge represented the likes of Johnny Marr, Tom Waits, Bloc Party, and Billy Bragg. In recent years, Rob Partridge had been suffering from cancer. He died as a result of it at the age of 60.
Derek B was a British rapper who came on the scene during the mid ’80s. He was just 15 when he started and was soon picked up by local radio stations to spin there. He was soon hired by hip UK independent dance label, Music Is Life to do A&R. Derek B released several records during his career, a couple reaching the top 15 on the UK charts. He was one of the first British rapppers to appear on the Top of the Pops program due to his crossover appeal. As a producer, Derek B worked with the likes of Cookie Crew and Eric B & Rakim. Derek B was 44 when he died following a heart attack on November 16, 2009.
Dick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of Benny Carter, Miles Davis and Sonny Rollins. He landed a record deal with the legendary Atlantic Records in 1958. And in 1966, he co-founded Milestone Records, a respected label that released albums by the likes of McCoy Tyner, Paul Bley and Rollins. The label was absorbed by Fantasy Records in 1972. Katz was also a respected music educator and writer, penning numerous jazz-related essays and liner notes throughout his 60-year career. Dick Katz was 85 when he died of lung cancer on November 10, 2009.
Ivory Joe Hunter
October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974
Ivory Joe Hunter was an early R&B singer, musician and songwriter who penned over 7000 songs, his biggest hit being 1956’s “Since I Met You, Baby.” Born in Texas, Hunter was playing the piano by his early teens. In the early ’40s, he began hosting his own radio show, and within a few years, he moved to Los Angeles to perform and record. He soon started his own record label on which he released his first record, “Blues at Sunrise.” He wrote and recorded many songs during his career, one of which, “I Almost Lost My Mind” later became a hit for Pat Boone. He also wrote songs that were recorded by Sonny James and Elvis Presley. In the mid ’50s, he moved over to the legendary Atlantic Records for which he recorded “Since I Met You, Baby,” his only Top 40 hit. During the ’60s, he found new life as a country artist, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry several times. Ivory Joe Hunter was 59 when he died of lung cancer on November 8, 1974.
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
Byron Lee was a Jamaican musician, band leader and producer who has been credited for introducing the electric bass to Jamaica. He formed the Dragonaires in the early ’50s. They went on to become one of the most successful and influential ska bands Jamaica has ever known. As a producer, Lee worked with the likes of the Maytals. He later bought a recording studio and turned it into the best of it’s kind in Jamaican, hosting the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon among other major acts. In 2007, it became known that Lee was being treated for bladder cancer. Although he was no longer able to perform with the Dragonaires, he continued on in a management capacity. Byron Lee died of cancer at the age of 73.
Danny Yarbrough was a longtime record industry executive who spent most of his career in the Sony/Columbia family. In 1965, Yarbrough was hired by CBS Records to be a sales representative out of their Atlanta Branch. Over the next four decades, he worked his way up through the ranks, serving as sales manager, branch manager, and then Vice President of Sales at Columbia Records. He ultimately became Sr. Vice President of Sales and Distribution back on distribution side of the company. He left Sony in 2003 and became a consultant. Danny Yarbrough died in his sleep on November 3, 2008.
Rosetta Reitz
September 28, 1924 – November 1, 2008
Photo By Jill Lynne
Rosetta Reitz was a much-respected feminist and music authority who formed her own label, Rosetta Records in 1979. The label specialized in lost recordings of female blues artist from the 1920s to the 1960s. Over the years, she released sides by the likes of Ida Cox, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Mae West. Her packages were noted quality remasters, extensive liner notes and rare historical photos. Reitz curated the Newport Jazz Festival’s “Women of Jazz” tributes in 1980 and 1981. The programs included performances by Big Mama Thornton, Nell Carter and Koko Taylor. Rosetta Reitz was 84 when she passed away on November 1, 2008.
Shakir Stewart was a successful record company executive who was, most recently, Sr. VP of Island Def Jam Music Group as well as Executive VP of Def Jam. In Stewart’s first job out of college, he signed Beyonce to a publishing deal as a staffer at Hitco Music Publishing. From there he became an A&R consultant for LaFace Records, a label owned by Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. He brought Ciara to the label. He later moved to the Def Jam family where he signed or oversaw such acts as Young Jeezy, Nas, LL Cool J and Rick Ross. He quickly moved up the ranks within the company. Shakir Stewart took his own life with a gun on November 1, 2008. He was 34 years old.
Ray Ellis was an accomplished musician, producer and arranger during the ’50s and ’60s. He is best remembered for his work with Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, Emmylou Harris and most notably, on Billie Holiday’sLady in Satin. He also composed the Today Show’s theme song twice, one that was used throughout most of the ’70s and anoter that was used that was primarily used between 1987 and 1985. And he composed soundtrack music for numerous cartoons and game shows over the years as well. Ray Ellis, 85, died of malenoma on October 27, 2008.
Colin Burn was an executive with EMI Records UK for a quarter of a century, starting there during the years following World War 2. Over the course of his career, he worked directly with the likes of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Supremes. After ascending to the point of General Manager, Burn left the company in the early ’80s and went to work with the Rolling Stones. Colin Burn was 76 when he passed away on October 19, 2009.
Moses “Moe” Asch
December 2, 1905 – October 19, 1986
Photo by Diana Davies
Moe Asch was a Poland born, New York City raised musicologist who founded the legendary Folkways label in 1948. The label specialized in folk and is considered an invaluable asset to American culture. The label itself, was a major influence on the development of folk musicians for years to come. Folkways released over 2100 recordings during Asch’s time. They included new releases by the likes of Lead Belly, Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie was well as previously unreleased discoveries from the ’20s and ’30s. Moe Asch died of natural causes at the age of 81. Following his death, the Smithsonian Institution acquired the Folkways catalog.
Leonard Chess (Born Lejzor Czyz)
March 12, 1917 – October 16, 1969
Born in Poland, a young (and not yet called) Leonard Chess moved with his family to Chicago in 1928. Leonard and his brother Phil got into the music business by way of the Macomba Lounge, a popular Black club they took over in 1946. Shortly thereafter, Leonard began working with a local jazz and black label called Aristocrat Records. He and his brother eventually took it over and began changing its focus to the down and dirty sound of the blues they had fallen in love with. By the time they were done, they had made seminal records with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley, Etta James and Koko Taylor, to name just a handful. In the early ’60s, Chess purchased a couple of radio station, and in 1969, he sold Chess Records. He died of a heart attack just a few months later.
Frank Frost was a delta blues harmonica player who was arguably one of the best. He cut his musical teeth however, on guitar, most significantly as part Sonny Boy Williamson’s touring band. It was Williamson who taught him to play the harmonica. He left Williamson in 1959 and began working with drummer Sam Carr and guitarist Big Jack Johnson. It was this combo that caught the eye of legendary producer, Sam Phillips who produced his first album, Hey Boss Man!. In later years, Frost formed his own record label, Earwig Music Company to showcase his music. Frank Frost continued making records until into the late ’80s and died of cardiac arrest on October 12, 1999 at the age of 63.
Shelby Singleton
December 16, 1931 – October 7, 2009
Shelby Singleton’s music career began during the ’50s working at Mercury Records as a producer. While moving up in the ranks, he became instrumental in numerous hits and was eventually rewarded with his own imprint, Smash Records where he signed Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Millerand Faron Young among others. During the early part of his career, he produced such hits as Brook Benton’s “The Boll Weevil Song,” Ray Stevens‘ “Ahab The Arab,” and Leroy Van Dyke’s “Walk On By.” But his biggest hit came in 1968 with Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of Tom T. Hall’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.” A shrewd businessman as well, Singleton went on to purchase Sam Phillips’ Sun Records including it’s stellar catalog of recordings. Shelby Singleton died of cancer on October 1, 2009. He was 77.
Walter Lee
September 29, 1942 – September 28, 2008
Walter Lee, began his career in music as lead guitarist for the Boston-area rock ‘n roll combo, the Uniques, a band who had some local success after releasing two singles. He was eventually hired by Capitol Records and moved to Detroit where he is credited for bringing Bob Seger to the label. After a handful albums failed to get Seger noticed outside of the Midwest, Capitol was ready to drop him until Lee persuaded the higher-ups to put out an album that captured Seger in his element, live on stage. That album was Live Bullet, and it launched Seger into the stratosphere. The 80’s found Lee running Capitol’s radio promotion department in Hollywood. His leadership as Vice President and GM at the label contributed to such successes as Duran Duran,the Motels, Missing Persons, Iron Maiden, Steve Miller and many more. After leaving Capitol, Lee lead the promotion team at Morgan Creek Records. In recent years, he was a partner at Pro Sports Music, a firm that promoted music through sporting events. Walter Lee died of colon cancer on September 28, 2008.
Warren Wayne Brown was a one-time vice president of MCA Music as well as brother of jazz band leader, Les Brown. After WWII, Brown who had played the trombone in the Navy band, went to work as a song plugger for Leeds Music. When MCA purchased Leeds, Brown moved to Los Angeles to become VP. He retired in 1981 and passed away of an undisclosed illness on September 15, 2008.
During a career that spanned over 50 years, Bob Greenberg held executive posts at Warner Bros., United Artists, Mirage and Atlantic Records. While at these labels, he helped build the careeres of such legendary artists as Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, AC/DC, Genesis, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones. Greenberg suffered a stroke on September 10, 2009 and died as a result the next day.
Jamie Cohen was a one-time A&R man at Columbia Records and EMI Records, though he began his career in the mid ’70s as a product manager at A&M Records. He was also a musician. Cohen died of a heart attack at the age of 55.
Rich Cunningham was a respected union organizer and one-time head of his own label, Happy Days Records, which he founded in 1995 while still in college. The punk label, named after the popular ’70s television program whose lead character shared the same name as Cunningham, was the one-time home to such acts as Ink & Dagger and Hot Water Music. In later years, Cunningham formed New Labor, an organization that helped low-income and immigrant workers. He had suffered from colon cancer since 2005, but cause of death has not been released. He was 32.
Rob Partridge was a UK music industry veteran who founded and ran the Coalition Group, a powerful management and PR firm. Partridge began his career in the mid ’70s when he worked as a journalist Music Week. By the late ’70s, he was the head of the publicity department at Island Records where he worked directly with such greats as Bob Marley, Marianne Faithfull, U2, Steve Winwood and Robert Palmer. He left Island in 1990 to form a PR firm which would eventually be called the Coalition Group after he opened a management division of the company. Over the years, Partridge represented the likes of Johnny Marr, Tom Waits, Bloc Party, and Billy Bragg. In recent years, Rob Partridge had been suffering from cancer. He died as a result of it at the age of 60.
Dick Katz was a jazz pianist and arranger who, throughout his career, played with the likes of 
Jheryl Busby was a long time music industry executive who, in recent years, was the President and CEO of Motown Records. Busby’s career in music began in the early ’70s when he was hired by Stax Records to be the head of West Coast promotion and marketing. From there, he moved on to A&M, Casablanca, and then MCA Records where he helped establish the black music division which developed into the one of the most lucrative labels of the ’80s thanks to discoveries like New Edition and Jody Watley. In doing so, Busby was elevated to the rank of President. In 1988, Busby purchased a stake in Motown Records and became it’s President and CEO. There he helped develop such young talent and Boys II Men and Queen Latifah while rebuilding catalog sales during the height of the CD revolution. In the later years of his career, Busby worked for DreamWorks Entertainment. On November 4, 2008, Jheryl Busby, 59, was found dead in his hot tub. His death was ruled accidental, caused by pre-existing cardiovascular and other conditions.
Byron Lee was a Jamaican musician, band leader and producer who has been credited for introducing the electric bass to Jamaica. He formed the Dragonaires in the early ’50s. They went on to become one of the most successful and influential ska bands Jamaica has ever known. As a producer, Lee worked with the likes of the Maytals. He later bought a recording studio and turned it into the best of it’s kind in Jamaican, hosting the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon among other major acts. In 2007, it became known that Lee was being treated for bladder cancer. Although he was no longer able to perform with the Dragonaires, he continued on in a management capacity. Byron Lee died of cancer at the age of 73.
Born in Poland, a young (and not yet called) Leonard Chess moved with his family to Chicago in 1928. Leonard and his brother Phil got into the music business by way of the Macomba Lounge, a popular Black club they took over in 1946. Shortly thereafter, Leonard began working with a local jazz and black label called Aristocrat Records. He and his brother eventually took it over and began changing its focus to the down and dirty sound of the blues they had fallen in love with. By the time they were done, they had made seminal records with the likes of 
Shelby Singleton’s music career began during the ’50s working at Mercury Records as a producer. While moving up in the ranks, he became instrumental in numerous hits and was eventually rewarded with his own imprint, Smash Records where he signed Jerry Lee Lewis, 
During a career that spanned over 50 years, Bob Greenberg held executive posts at Warner Bros., United Artists, Mirage and Atlantic Records. While at these labels, he helped build the careeres of such legendary artists as Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, AC/DC, Genesis, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones. Greenberg suffered a stroke on September 10, 2009 and died as a result the next day.
Jamie Cohen was a one-time A&R man at Columbia Records and EMI Records, though he began his career in the mid ’70s as a product manager at A&M Records. He was also a musician. Cohen died of a heart attack at the age of 55.
Rich Cunningham was a respected union organizer and one-time head of his own label, Happy Days Records, which he founded in 1995 while still in college. The punk label, named after the popular ’70s television program whose lead character shared the same name as Cunningham, was the one-time home to such acts as Ink & Dagger and Hot Water Music. In later years, Cunningham formed New Labor, an organization that helped low-income and immigrant workers. He had suffered from colon cancer since 2005, but cause of death has not been released. He was 32.