Russ Regan
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Russ Regan (born Harold Rustigian) is a long-time record executive who was President of both UNI Records, andt 20th Century Records Regan also worked at Motown among other companies. Struck a deal with Jimmy Miller Productions when Miller left The Rolling Stones which resulted in albums from B.B.King, Henry Gross, Bobby Whitlock, and others. Signed Ambosia and Harriet Schock to 20th Century Records. Regan has been described as the "Man with the Golden Ear"
Russ Regan played a major role in the careers of the biggest names of recorded music as he headed up labels such as Uni, 20th Century & Polygram Records. Dozens of recording artists, including super stars Elton John, Neil Diamond, Barry White, Olivia Newton-John and the Beach Boys have Russ to thank for opening the door wide for their success. While President of 20th Century Records, Regan was inspired from a dream to create the Cult Movie "All This and World War II" which saw Fox News Footage from WWII backed with Superstars singing Beatles Tunes. Due to Ownership Rights the Movie was never released on Video, and remains in the vaults of 20th Century Fox. Regan also supervised the soundtracks for "Flashdance," "Chariots of Fire," "The Karate Kid," "Spinal Tap," and "A Chorus Line,". The musical recordings Russ Regan has been involved with during his career have racked up sales of over one billion records worldwide.
In the early 1960’s Regan recorded “Joan of Love” backed with “Adults Only” and was released under the name Russ Regan. He also recorded “Calling all cars” under the name Davy Summers for Warner Brothers with producer Sonny Bono. In the mid-Sixties, he was drafted in to help form a musical direction for Warner Brothers then fledgling popular music subsidiary, Loma Records.
Russ Regan along with more than two dozen other radio and music industry leaders are members of the nominating committee of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.