Dick James (Born Reginald Vapnick)
December 12, 1920 – February 1, 1986
Dick James was a London-born aspiring singer and musician who eventually owned his own record label and publishing company. Partnering with John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1963, James formed Northern Songs to publish Lennon and McCartney’s music. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were signed on for a shot period as well. Gerry & the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer were also published by Northern Songs during the ’60s. In 1968, James sold the publishing company without offering the Beatles a chance to purchase their own catalog. This apparently drove a deep wedge between James and the group since they never again owned the rights to their own songs. During the ’70s, James established DJM Records, where he released the first recordings of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Dick James was 65 when he died of a heart attack on February 1, 1986.