Chuck Kaye

Chuck Kaye is an American retired music industry executive, noted for his tenures at A&M Records, Warner/Chappell Music, and DreamWorks Records, working in areas as diverse as Artists and Repretoire (A&R), music publishing, and corporate governance.

Early years

Kaye's earliest efforts in music publishing began in New York City in the 1960s, working under the Philles Records label started by Phil Spector and his stepfather, Lester Sill.^[1] In 1964 Kaye relocated to Los Angeles to take the role of West Coast Director of the new Aldon Music label. While at Aldon, Kaye signed songwriter contracts to Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Howard Greenfield, and Neil Sedaka.

In 1966, Kaye began to demonstrate his business acumen by signing and managing acts while heading Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss’ Almo/Irving Music label. Kaye added staff writers to grow the size of the business' intellectual property holdings.^[2]

During this period, Kaye personally signed an extensive list of talent that included Alan Parsons, Bob Marley, Steve Winwood, Traffic, Free, Cat Stevens, Bryan Adams, Mason Williams, Jefferson Airplane, John Bettis, Troy Seals, Will Jennings, Paul Williams, Billy Preston, Roger Nichols, Peter Frampton, and Supertramp.

In 1977 Kaye was appointed president of both Almo/Irving and Rondor Music labels, while also serving as vice-president of A&M Records.^[2]

Warner era

In 1980, Kaye partnered with David Geffen to form the Geffen/Kaye Music label.^[3] With Geffen, Kaye signed artists like John Lennon, Quarterflash, Michael Sembello, and Dean Pitchford.

After just one year, Geffen/Kaye was acquired by its distributor, Warner Brothers Music. Kaye was subsequently appointed Chairman of that company,^[4] a title which he retained until that company's merger with Chappell & Co. in 1987. Upon completion of the merger, Kaye became Chief Executive Officer Warner/Chappell Music.

During the his time at Warner, Kaye continued to sign acts to his label. Some of these acts included artists like David Foster, Michael Jackson, Yes, Madonna, Mr. Mister, Mötley Crüe, Scorpions, Albert Hammond, John Bettis, Troy Seals, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller.

DreamWorks

In 1997, Kaye returned to work with David Geffen as Head of Music Publishing at DreamWorks Records Music.^[5]

References