A&M RECORDS EXECUTIVES

A&M RECORDS EXECUTIVE TEAMS

CHUCK BEESON

September 18, 1933 - January 25, 2023

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Photo copyright William Beeson. Used by permission.

Full credits of all of Chuck's projects for A&M: Chuck Beeson Credits

In today's world of streaming music, album covers, promotional posters and displays may seem inessential, but they make the music appealing and memorable for people. The care and imagination in the graphic conveys the meaning of who and what waits inside the package. 

Chuck Beeson had the longest tenure of A&M's employees from November 1967 until December 1998 or as Chuck put it 31 years, 45 days. His album credits for A&M--numbering well over 400--include art director, designer and photographer. The titles and credits miss the heart of Chuck. He was a creative problem solver. His areas of expertise included typography, photo retouching, printing processes, film separation and many others. When computer graphics became a standard tool, Chuck mastered it too. Total projects at A&M, over 10,000 (advertisements, generic sleeves, stationery, billboards, posters, merchandise, retail displays,  books, picture discs, die-cuts...).

Some of Beeson's most memorable work did not have his name on it. Joe Cocker's With a Little Help From My Friends--the album cover, the ads, the billboards on L.A. streets in 1969. One project that incorrectly bore his name, Chuck was quick to point out, "I had nothing to do with Frampton Comes Alive! That was Roland [Young]." Credit where credit is due.

The album cover Chuck will be most remembered for is Carole King's Tapestry. Lou Adler asked Chuck to be the art director, not only for this album but all Ode Records products. (If you thought the original Tapestry cover was great, Chuck reworked it in 2013 in high resolution and made it spectacular.) 

A moment on Chuck's "bunker" at A&M. Built by Charlie Chaplin, it was the generator room that lit the soundstage. Soundproof concrete walls, no windows. Dave Alpert redesigned it to Chuck's liking: sliding doors to the patio, two skylights, slit windows. The bunker was not only Chuck's home for 17 years, it was a refuge where artists came to relax in Eames rocking chairs. 

After retirement, Chuck continued to give himself creative challenges. If you received a Beeson-designed Christmas card, you found a treasure inside its kraft envelope. Chuck and former chief photographer Jim McCrary would take outings together photographing places they went. Creativity, curiosity and an uncanny ability to find the essence of things was in their life blood.

From Jerry Moss' letter to Chuck on Chuck's 30th anniversary at A&M: "It was a pleasure to work with you, and as you must know, always an inspiration for me to venture into your work space."

CHUCK'S THOUGHTS ON A&M RECORDS

Herb had the title as "Music Master" of A&M Recording. That was his real priority, his vision for the studio was to have the best...it was his play (trumpet) thing. He was happy with his domain and his contributions to the company. Jerry was "Mr. M"...the man who gave the company respectability, fairness, constantly trying to find talent and signing them. He was the business guy with the best set of ears...if ever there was a yin and yang it would be Herb and Jerry. I think back to my working days at A&M and I was so blessed to be there and working for them at the Chaplin Studio they had purchased from Red Skelton. Those elements alone made my day, every day, the politics of a few seemed petty to me and out of place.

While they owned the company, I had 22 years to observe how they handled every problem with their employees---very honest and very fair. When they left the lot, A&M changed...but the old studio and the lot had their mark on it. Nine years later I left and eight days after that the studio and the entire company was sold to Universal.

The everyday life at the "old" A&M was history in itself. An A&M culture was created from the beginning...you were respected by what your contribution was to the company.

You were trusted to do your job, create a willingness to see the bigger picture of a label for the artists. The success and some of the failures were bound to happen, but A&M had the appearance that the next quarter would be a "smashing hit." There never was a day in my career at A&M that I felt I didn't want to go to work. I enjoyed all of the aspects of the "good", the "bad", and the "ugly." Each had its own problem to be solved and that was A&M's ultimate challenge and charm. At the end of 2018, I will have been retired for 20 years since being part of the magic that Herb & Jerry created. My service of 31 years and 45 days has so many memories of the artists, the employees, my friends and the many packages to remember. All of that was a gift from Herb & Jerry! And a special thanks to, my friend, Tom Wilkes.

JOLENE MADDIN BURTON

(September 23, 1932 – August 17, 2020)

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Jolene was born and attended school in Vernon, Texas.

She started with A&M Records in 1963 as the bookkeeper alongside Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss and was hired as their very first employee. After 20 years Jolene retired as the Vice President of Finance for both A&M Records and Almo Music Publishing at the end of 1983.

Jolene then left with her husband Karl on their sailboat “Magic”.  They cruised the world for 16 years with stops throughout the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, Bombay, India, across the Indian Ocean to Salalah, the Sultanate-of Oman, Aden, Djibouti, up the Red Sea, the Suez Canal to Cyprus, the Historic Turkish Coast to Istanbul, the Bosporus into the Black Sea, Varna, Bulgaria, Romania and Sozopol a 2000 year old City State.  While in Varna she hosted the Russian Ambassador and subsequently the Mayor of Sozopol, who gave her a personally guided tour of the Historic City.  Jolene and Karl asked for permission to sail to Russia and were told they were about 2 years too soon for that to happen.  When Magic sailed back to Turkey, Jolene’s popularity earned her a thorough search of their boat and a Bulgarian Naval vessel escort to Istanbul.  No stowaways allowed. The year was 1987.

Jolene sailed off the obvious beaten path to see places that others rarely saw.

>We dropped our anchor and visited in bays where 2000 years ago other boats and Biblical figures had also dropped their anchors.

As in her working life, she marched to a different drummer.  After living in both the Keys and Daytona Beach, Florida, Jolene and Karl brought their new sailboat “Viking” back to Los Angeles and returned to the home they had left behind.  They continued sailing, not only to the local Islands but also several trips down to La Paz, Mexico and around the Sea of Cortez and Hawaii.  Jolene and Karl loved cruising on the big ships as well and were content reading and enjoying each other’s company as they covered the parts of the world they had not seen on their sailing voyages!  Jolene was not an ordinary Lady who did ordinary things. She was an accomplished Lady who did extraordinary things!

Her life was all about hard work, family, friends and her love for Karl.  In her own words she said “We have seen and done so much in our lifetimes!”.

REFLECTIONS FROM FORMER A&M AND ALMO MUSIC PUBLISHING FRIENDS!

From Chuck Kaye: Former President of Almo Music Publishing

I met Jolene in 1969 when I joined A&M Records and she was the Administrator and Comptroller.  She immediately became my roadmap and point person at the company. She was warm, open and had the best smile I’d ever seen. Through my stay at A&M she helped me understand the ins and outs of their finances of the publishing business. If there was a problem she would be there to help, she was relentless. If you were on her good side she was the greatest, but if you weren’t you would be in for a hell of a battle.

Jolene and Karl got me into sailing, one of the great joys of my life.  Both Jolene and I left A&M at different times. I had taken over Warner Bros Music and found the back office a mess. Jolene joined me at Warner’s and went to work, with her work ethic and intelligence she accomplished what had to be done. She then went off sailing.

A number of years later my brother Joel Sill and I started a publishing company called “Windswept Pacific”. We had acquired several companies and had some serious accounting and royalty issues and fortunately Jolene was available and joined us. She was able to get the problems solved, no small job. Yeah, again Jolene to the rescue.

I loved Jolene, she and Karl became great personal friends for over 50 years. To me Jolene was a sister I never had and her influence on me was huge. She had the heart of a lioness and was one of the most loving and caring people I’ve known.

From Joel Sill:  Former Vice-President of Almo Music Publishing

I met Jolene when I was young and knew her differently. She would protect me from business bullies and scold me when I made a mistake but with Zen instructions on how to do it right the next time. Honesty and strength were two qualities she had an abundance of, she also taught by example. Chuck gave me the chance to become friends with Jolene and Karl. They just embraced you emotionally, Jolene with her unspoken love and sparkling eyes and Karl with his booming affection. Sailing was always a treat, we laughed so much at times that my stomach still hurts. I had a second chance to be with her at Windswept and she was Chuck’s and my North Star. I found some money from an old song a coal miner had written decades before, which a film studio had never paid him for. He had black lung disease and was putting his daughter through college. Jolene was ebullient when the money came in so she could write him the check. I could see how it made her enormously happy to help someone in need. I revered her as a person and loved her as a friend. Irreplaceable!

GIL FRIESEN

(March 10, 1937 - December 13, 2012)

His method was to work around the flawed, correct the imperfect, and improve upon the best.--Tyler Friesen

The worldly smile, the easy confidence
The good humour and the quiet strength
The go to person whenever some landmark decision needed to be made
He'd put books in my way that he thought would be useful to me, literature, poetry, philosophy, history, books on the environment
--Sting

He cared about people and asked about them with genuine interest. When someone had a problem or needed to make a decision, Gil was the one to turn to. He did not have an agenda or an ego that interfered. He had a unique insight into people which gave him the rare ability to size up talent in the music business, in artistic endeavors and in business.--Joel S. Ehrenkranz

Always curious and conversant on the most wide range of people, ideas, places: eager, excited, curious to live and learn and to bring you along with him, to hook you up with other people, feed you ideas, making sure you were your best. His capacity for friendship was deep and intense. --Jann Wenner

Gil Friesen became my first (nd irreplaceable) friend in California.--Jerry Moss

Quotes from Gil Friesen's memorial book

BOB GARCIA

- April 26, 2020

Artist Relations, Publicity, Artist and Catalog Development

“Uncle Bob was our concierge, our mentor, our protector, our confidante, and we were always assured of a warm welcome there, laced with a liberal dose of his mordant wit. You could talk film, theater, books and music with Bob and behind the humor of those twinkling eyes you had a sense that he’d seen and heard everything and yet, like a true sage, had reserved judgment. He could be laconic and cryptic just as he could be compassionate and fulsome, but always equally amused by both the blandishments and trials of ‘the life,’ and nothing seemed to faze him. He was, and, to me still is, the presiding spirit of that magical lot on La Brea. He will always be there for me, as he was in life. God bless you, Uncle Bob, and thank you.”--Sting

“Bob taught me everything by example about how to connect with, respect and support artists and interface on their behalf with the company and visa versa...Passionate, brilliant, caring, funny, and colorful. He was my Yoda and he always had my back. We stayed close all these years.”--Doreen Ringer-Ross 

“Bob Garcia worked at A&M Records for many years and without exception, was liked by all...Artists and employees admired his quirkiness and original personality that didn’t change with the times. I personally appreciated his keen observations on music, and life as he saw it. I loved Bob.”--Herb Alpert

 “Bob Garcia was a huge part of the A&M Records community that I treasured. Bob shared a love of music and creativity that trickled down to me as an artist and I am forever grateful. He was quirky, warm and always fascinating. He will be greatly missed by so many of us.”--Amy Grant 

“Dear Bob, you were ‘a shelter in a storm—a Willow’ to so many of the Brit artistes, managers and staffers from across the pond. Back in the U.K., your bonhomie was legendary. Thanks for giving so much to so many of us lost in L.A. Travel well.”--Derek Green

“A true original, a raconteur, a style maven, a gentle man with the heart of an artist. He weathered the regime changes with good humor and acceptance—oh my God, can you imagine after decades in the business he got stuck in that little marketing building with us yammering young know-it-alls and never had an unkind word about any of it. I reread some of the greetings he'd sent on my birthdays—droll one-liners that made me laugh out loud last night. Thank you, Bob Garcia, for welcoming us into your world and always reminding us what we were there for.”--Jill Glass Easton

“ What an incredible man. I learned so much from Bob and was so lucky to have gotten to work with such a legend. Not to mention such a kind and gentle soul. I close my eyes and I’m transported back to that office. I can picture the photos on the wall. The big dog. His stories about driving the van for The Police. And so, so, so many more. I will miss him.”--Larry Weintraub

"he was one of the great characters in music-biz annals. Neither was Garcia the ampersand of A&M Records, although some have described him that way—but he was the ampersand that connected A&M’s culture with several generations of staffers and artists who called the iconic Lot at 1416 N. La Brea home."--Bud Scoppa

Quotes from The Hollywood Reporter May 6, 2020
Variety May 4, 2020
Hits Daily Double May 5, 2020

JERRY MOSS

May 8, 1935 – August 16, 2023

The artists on Jerry Moss:

Herb Alpert: To be honest, I don’t think I would’ve had the musical career that I’ve had without Jerry Moss. I knew how to make records, but I didn’t know what to do with them. Jerry did. He sure did.… I got lucky to have a partner and a dear friend like Jerry Moss. Jerry’s an unforgettable person, because he’s real… I adore you, man. (Music Center Los Angeles Tribute Concert for Jerry Moss January 14, 2023)

Amy Grant:  Jerry, thank you so much for empowering the music and empowering all of us to be a part of your legacy.  (Music Center Los Angeles Tribute Concert for Jerry Moss, January 14, 2023)

Rita Coolidge: At the end of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour, I was offered a record deal with A&M Records. For any artist at that time, the label was a dream to be signed to. It was a label that was driven by music, not by business; by artist support, not by a one-hit wonder. It was just an amazing place to be. And when I signed with A&M, Jerry actually said to me, ‘We’re in this for the long haul. If you get a hit record right away, that’s great. If not, we want the longevity to help you build your career.’ … Nobody did it before and nobody’s done it since, and I’m eternally grateful, as Peter (Frampton, who preceded her) is, for my whole life.  (Music Center Los Angeles Tribute Concert for Jerry Moss January 14, 2023)

Chirs Hillman (Flying Burrito Brothers): I have lost so many amazing people, who have been part of my life. Who not only inspired me, but motivated me and always were so kind and respectful to me. Jerry Moss was one of these wonderful souls, who I will always hold in great respect. (Facebook)

Andy Summers (solo artist, The Police, Summers & Fripp): He was a kind, clever, and thoughtful man who was fun to be around and be involved with. It never felt like business but rather a fruitful and creative partnership. He will be missed. Thanks Jerry. (Facebook)

Ozark Mountain Daredevils:  Let’s share a story from the conversation that took place between John [Dillon] and Jerry during this reunion they shared a few years ago.

John - “Jerry I just want to apologize to you because I know how hard we were to categorize as band, we were all over the board with our music we had rock and roll songs, country songs, and I know we drove your marketing team crazy.”

Jerry Moss - “John we loved your band and creativity, we believed in your music, and don’t worry we made a lot of money off of your records.”

That was Jerry Moss and the world was better because of the creativity he and Herb Alpert allowed the artists on their label. (Facebook) <

Dave Cousins (Strawbs): "Jerry was the gentleman of the recording industry. It is not widely known that Strawbs was the first British band signed directly to A&M in Hollywood via Sonet Records in Denmark. We were introduced to Jerry and Herb Alpert by Bob Garcia on our first visit to play in the U.S. and they were absolutely welcoming. The whole A&&M team came to support us at our first show, headlining the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Strip. I have it on good authority that Jerry came to see Strawbs live shows more than any other band on the label. When our management decided that Strawbs should leave A&&M, Jerry took me to lunch in Hollywood to try to persuade me to stay with A&&M. I tearfully explained to him that our management controlled my publishing at the time and that I had no option. In my opinion it was the worst decision ever made by any management for any artist and brought about the slow decline of Strawbs as an international act." (Goldmine Magazine website, August 28, 2023)

Monte Warden (The Wagoneers): Mr. Moss and Herb Alpert signed The Wagoneers in 1987. I remember sittin' in his office on the >A&M Records lot in LA and how enthusiastic he was about our music and my songs. I asked him, 'Mr. Moss, what are you wantin' to hear on a Wagoneers' album?' He didn't pause a second and said, 'Monte (I couldn't believe he knew my name!), I wanna hear an album YOU love!'....This from the owner of a major label. Unheard of in show biz....except for when Herb and Jerry owned A&M. Mr. Moss was an extraordinary man. I am privileged to have known him and to have spent a coupla years creating in that environment. (Somewhere around here, I have a pic of The Wags and (our label-mate) >with Mr. Moss at a show bidness thingy. Mr Moss grabbed a photographer and hollered 'Now THAT'S A&M!' Amen. Amazing dude. (Facebook)

Gillian Welch: This is the man whose office I walked into with my guitar and walked out with a record deal. I knew things were going alright when he started humming along. Then he stuck out his hand and said he’d love to have me as part of the family, and that was that. One night years later at an after show supper I called him a Label Exec and his hand came down hard on the table, and he protested loudly, “We are not Label Execs! We are Record Men!” And that he was. He was glamorous, magnanimous, stylish, and generous, and he loved music. Every time he showed up at one of our gigs it was a GREAT night, he just had that magic way about him. He made me feel that the quiet songs I was writing and singing really mattered. After he retired, he continued to be a mentor when David [Rawlings] and I started our own record label. I am forever grateful to you, Jerry.

THE A&M FAMILY ON JERRY MOSS

I never met a nicer, honest, sensitive, smart and talented man then my partner Jerry Moss……Herb Alpert (Facebook)

A very sad and heartbreaking day. Jerry was a part of my life for 60 years. His style, advice and friendship helped me to be who I became in the music business for over 30 years and I carry so much of what I learned from him today in my non-profit role leading Concern Foundation. ---Derek Alpert (Facebook)

Study his genius as he will be missed forever and leaves a legacy few will ever match.--Michael Plen (Facebook)    

Herb and Jerry didn’t just show me how to work records and run a business, they taught me how to be a good human by example. They showed us how to live a meaningful life. Do business based on a handshake. Make a difference in the world with your money. They taught me how to honor artists, how to be genuine, how to be philanthropic, artistic, kind and caring. I could go on. They created Camelot for a brief and shining moment. All of us that were lucky enough to be part of it, to be shaped by it forever, know what I’m saying. Half of that magic emanated from Jerry and permeated all of us. There will never be another like him. The world won’t shine as bright without him in it. But, I’m so grateful for his time here and I know his spirit lives in me.--Doreen Ringer Ross (Facebook)

When I got hired at A&M in 1978 and the first 2 people I met when I went to the A&M offices in LA were Herb and Jerry and both when I called them Mr. Moss and Mr. Alpert told me that their names were Jerry and Herb and to call them that way...He was always the ultimate music man and was always interested in what you thought about the music scene and most of all if you were doing ok in your life and happy working at A&M...This loss is like getting the wind knocked out of me, I am just out of words...Thank you for having the faith in me to let me be part of your family at A&M..It meant the world to me and helped shape me into who I became in my life...--Al Marks (Facebook)

What an extraordinary man, and what a nice one. Those of us who worked at A&M Records had the great good fortune to cross paths in life with this kind, elegant gentleman, a true artist advocate and visionary. His legacy is immense.--Cheryl McEnaney (Facebook)

I was fortunate to parlay my humble marketing college rep job while at the University of Michigan into a full time position at A&M. Those years at A&M remain the most cherished days of my life. 

I hope you take the time to read about this man who left His legacy in music and philanthropy.

What I remember most about Jerry was the twinkle in his eye when he looked at you. It is the way I shall always remember him. --Ross Ojeda Facebook)

My years at A&M and Rondor Music were the best years of my life. We were such a family. Jerry was an amazing man and I’m forever grateful for the years I was blessed to know him and to have been apart of this amazing company and music family. --Robin Rutherford (Facebook)

What Jerry and Herb built was such a special part of my life and so many others’ too. Seven years in the ‘70s I can never forget. It still puts a smile on my face when I remember how much I learned, enjoyed, and grew to love music in a way I had never imagined before. A time in my life I will never forget. I will be forever grateful to Herb and Jerry for creating A&M, a place where music and commerce co-existed in such a beautiful way!--Dorene Lauer Martin (Facebook)

I literally came to A & M in July 1989. Herb & Jerry weren’t there much longer but I felt the very long wake of their influence the 7 years I was at A&M. It was and will always be my favorite and most influential job. I met so many greats there and all of it was done with a living room attitude. The living room is where music is playing and it always took center stage. Thank you Jerry for setting the mold.--Celia Hirschman (Facebook) 

I was only at A&M Records NY GM for around 3 years working very closely along my best Ivy League friend David Dashev (R.I.P.) with Jerry, Herb Alpert and President and mentor Gil Friesen (R.I.P.) They were easily the most interesting 3 years circa 1976 > 1979 of my professional life. Primarily because of the above w "Moss" being the smartest and most honorable CEO in the music business. This also coincided with our greatest album smashes. Personally, Peter Frampton, Joe Cocker and Supertramp were my closest. Styx and Gino Vanelli, '' not so much' Great team, best leadership. R.I.P Jerry You were the very best of us.--Jimmy Zisson (Facebook)

I think that all of us who ever worked for A&M Records (I cherish my 13-year stint there) admired Jerry Moss. Yes, he was all those things that people say: kind, generous, unpretentious — a true gentleman, but he was so much more. He was the rock of stability, humble, sensitive and vividly magnanimous. He loved truly good music and favored artists who were making their own authentic music rather than those following a trend. He (along with Herb Alpert) created a jewel in the world of independent music labels and instilled in his staff a sense of pride and dedication I have not seen equaled. Of all the admirable things he did in his life, my favorite thing to observe was his genuine, heartfelt gratitude for his partnership with Herb and the loyalty of his staff. He was a diplomat, surely, with all the people he dealt with, and he was never afraid to speak from the heart or allow us a glimpse of his soul. So, if you’re in Los Angeles and you go the Music Center downtown, take a stroll along the Jerry Moss Plaza and admire again the long-lasting generosity of a great man.--Doug Haverty (Facebook)