Michael Kenfner was a long time record company executive that got his start working for Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic Records during the ’70s. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in the successes of Laura Branigan, AC/DC, Genesis, Yes, Cher, and in particular, the Blues Brothers, with whom he appeared in the film of the same name. Michael Klenfner died of congestive heart failure at the age of 62.
John Hammond was one of the most influential men in the music business during the 20th century. Whether as a producer or talent scout, Hammond was instrumental in the success of many of the names in music. That list includes Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Seeger, Aretha Franklin, and Count Basie. Hammond began his career in the early ’30s, mostly working with jazz artists, primarily helping African American musicians like Lionel Hampton and Charlie Christian land gigs in previously all-white bands. In 1938, Hammond put together the first of the groundbreaking From Spirituals To Swing concerts that included the biggest names in jazz, blues and gospel. Taking place at Carnegie Hall, it was reportedly the first significant concert by a racially mixed group of performers in front of a racially mixed audience. The albums documenting the shows are now considered American music classics and a box set was released in 1999 thanks in part to Morgana Kennedy at Vanguard Records. In the early ’60s, Hammond was hired by Columbia Records where he signed Springsteen, Dylan, Seeger, Aretha and many others. John Hammond passed away after a stroke at the age of 76.
Hugh Mendl started his music career in the early ’40s when his grandfather, then chairman of Decca Records gave him his first job as a producer at the label. He stayed there for some 40 years. Over the years, the label followed Mendl’s great ear by signing such acts as Lonnie Donegan, the Moody Blues, Genesis, David Bowie and John Mayall. One act that the label famously did ignore his pleas to sign was the Beatles. Mendl eventually grew disillusioned with business and retired to become an antique dealer. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 89.
Bobby Durham was a versatile jazz drummer who began his career at the age of sixteen by playing with popular doo-wop group the Orioles. After serving in the military where he played in the military band, Durham settled in New York City where he went on to become one of the most respected drummers in jazz. Over his career, he performed with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald, who he accompanied for over ten years. Bobby Durham died after a long struggle with lung cancer and emphysema.
Jason Gula was most recently the Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales for 80/20 Music Entertainment where hew worked with such up and coming artists as Lisa Genee, Recession, Cellofourte, Izzy and Chris, and Brooke Annibale. Gula began his career at legendary midwest retailer, Camelot Music. He later landed in distribution, working for Sony out of the Chicago and Cleveland branches where he earned tremendous respect from the retail community for his hard work and knack for creative marketing promotions. Jason Gula died suddenly of a heart attack on July 7, 2008 at the age of 38.
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Michael Kenfner was a long time record company executive that got his start working for Ahmet Ertegun at Atlantic Records during the ’70s. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in the successes of Laura Branigan, AC/DC, Genesis, Yes, Cher, and in particular, the Blues Brothers, with whom he appeared in the film of the same name. Michael Klenfner died of congestive heart failure at the age of 62.
