Hit-Making Record Executive, Martha Stewart Living Chairman Was 82 – Deadline

Charles Koppelman, whose publishing and expertise improvement imaginative and prescient made him one of many recording trade’s prime executives, has died at 82.

No trigger was given by his son, Brian, showrunner of Billions, and daughter Jenny Koppelman Hutt. “He spent his last days surrounded by those he loved the most,” his son wrote on social media.

Koppelman noticed the potential of music publishing early in his profession.

He started his profession as a singer and songwriter, a part of the legendary Aldon Music employees underneath CEO Don Kirshner that included Carole (*82*), Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

He moved on to CBS Records within the Seventies, rising to VP/GM of worldwide publishing. He noticed the potential of proudly owning songwriter rights and shaped his personal firm with CBS government Martin Bandier and Bandier’s father in regulation, NY actual property king Samuel LeFrak. The firm managed tune catalogs for Barbra Streisnd, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross and Cher, amongst others.

In 1986, Koppelman, Bandier, and Stephen C. Swid shaped SBK Entertainment World, Inc., in an effort to purchase the 250,000 titles owned by CBS Songs for $125 million, the very best value ever paid for a music publishing portfolio at the moment.

That deal made SBK the biggest impartial music writer on the planet, boasting a roster that included Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block, amongst others.

They offered SBK to EMI Music in 1989 for $300 million. That deal allowed the formation of SBK Records, the place Koppelman served as Chairman and CEO. The label was an prompt hit, with Technotronic’s “Pump Up The Jam” changing into its first platinum vendor, adopted by main albums from Wilson Phillips and Vanilla Ice.

In 1991, Koppelman and Bandier offered their share of SBK Records to EMI Music. But Koppelman grew to become the chairman and CEO of newly consolidated EMI Records Group North America. Koppelman served as CEO till 1997.

From 2000 to 2004 Koppelman was Chairman of Steve Madden, Ltd., main that firm whereas Madden was coping with jail time for securities fraud. After that, he grew to become chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. He moved on in 2011, becoming a member of numerous leisure trade boards.

No memorial plans have been introduced.