Mo Ostin, legendary Warner Bros. Records chief, lifeless at 95

Mo Ostin, legendary Warner Bros. Records chief, lifeless at 95

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Mo Ostin, who served as a high govt at Warner-Reprise Records for over three a long time between the ’60s and ’90s, has died on the age of 95.

Ostin’s loss of life was confirmed by Warner Records co-chairmen, CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and COO Tom Corson, who wrote that the music trade determine handed away in his sleep on Sunday (July 31) from pure causes.

“Mo was one of many best document males of all time, and a chief architect of the trendy music enterprise. For Mo, it was all the time at the beginning about serving to artists notice their imaginative and prescient,” Bay-Shuck and Corson mentioned.

“One of many pivotal figures within the evolution of Warner Music Group, within the Nineteen Sixties Mo ushered Warner/Reprise Records right into a golden period of revolutionary, culture-shifting artistry. Over his subsequent three a long time on the label, he remained a tireless champion of inventive freedom, each for the expertise he nurtured and the individuals who labored for him,” they added.

“Mo lived a unprecedented life doing what he beloved, and he can be deeply missed all through the trade he helped create, and by the numerous artists and colleagues whom he impressed to be their greatest selves.”

Born in New York in 1927, Morris Meyer Ostrofsky started his profession within the mid-Fifties at Verve Records as a controller, earlier than being employed by Frank Sinatra to handle Reprise Records in 1960.

Ostin moved into a bigger govt place after Reprise was purchased out by Warner Bros. three years later, signing The Kinks and Jimi Hendrix to the label within the Nineteen Sixties. Over the next a long time, Warner-Reprise grew to become a who’s who of gifted artists. Fleetwood Mac, Neil Younger, the Grateful Useless, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, Van Halen, Prince, The Who, Pink Sizzling Chili Peppers and extra had been all a part of its roster at one time or one other.

In 1970, Ostin grew to become president of Warner-Reprise. He took the function of chairman/CEO two years later, persevering with the place till his departure from the corporate in 1994. A 12 months later, he joined DreamWorks Records, the place he remained for nearly a decade, earlier than returning to Warner Bros. Records as a advisor in 2006.

Ostin’s contribution to the music trade was recognised in 2003, when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame by Younger, Simon and Lorne Michaels. Three years later, the Recording Academy honoured him with an Icon Award.

Mo Ostin being inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2003, the place he was honoured by Neil Younger, Lorne Michaels and Paul Simon. Credit score: Kevin Kane/WireImage

Following information of his loss of life, figures from all through the trade have paid tribute to Ostin. Warner Music Group’s CEO of recorded music, Max Lousada, referred to as Ostin “as a pioneer who wrote the rulebook for others to observe” in an announcement.

“Warner Music Group and Warner Records wouldn’t exist with out his ardour, imaginative and prescient, and intelligence. He not solely helped construct one of many world’s best music corporations, however he impressed a tradition pushed by bravery and ingenuity. Mo noticed artists for who they actually had been and gave them the area and assist to totally notice their originality.”

Pink Sizzling Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea remembered Ostin as “the best individual I ever met within the music enterprise”, including that the chief made him really feel “valued, understood and welcome after I was a confused child with numerous rising as much as do”. Scott Booker, supervisor for the Flaming Lips (who signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1990) referred to as Ostin “a visionary” who “formed a lot of what I really like on this world”.

Learn extra tributes, together with from Q-Tip and the property of Tom Petty, beneath:

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