Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Frank DiLeo / Label Veteran; Managed Michael Jackson
themusicsover Frank DiLeo
October 23, 1947 – August 22, 2011
Frank DiLeo was a longtime and sometimes controversial music industry executive as well as a part-time actor. Launching his music career just after high school, DiLeo first worked as a rack jobber in Pittsburgh. He went on to work for several labels in radio promotion, while along the way, building a reputation for getting records played. He held high-ranking positions at CBS Records, Bell, RCA and ultimately, for Walter Yetnikoff at Epic, where during the ’80s, he was credited for taking the label from #14 in the U.S. to #2. He was largely responsible for the success of such acts as Michael Jackson, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon, Ozzy Osbourne and Cyndi Lauper, to name a few. His methods may have been considered less than above-board by some, but he clearly got results. After the success of Jackson’s Thriller, the singer asked DiLeo to be his manager in a partnership that lasted until 1989. Over the years, DiLeo also managed Richie Sambora, Taylor Dane and Laura Branigan. He also formed a business relationship with Prince. As an actor, DiLeo appeared in Wayne’s World, Wayne’s World 2, and Goodfellas in which he played Tuddy Cicero, based on real life organized crime figure, Vito “Tuddy” Vario. In March of 2011, Frank DiLeo had heart surgery. He died from complications on August 22, 2011.