Phil Quartararo was an American music industry executive who died on November 22, 2023, at the age of 67.
He was the President and Chairman at The Hello Group, and held positions as CEO at Virgin Records, Warner Bros.
Records, and EMI, and was involved in the careers of recording artists ranging from Linkin Park to Josh Groban to the Spice Girls.
Quartararo was known as a defender of artist rights. He spoke out on the fight against music piracy and the need to restore the value of music.
Quartararo was regarded as one of the most promotion-minded executive in the music business and was regarded as a thought leader on the subject of partnership between brands and artists.
Who was Phil Quartararo ?
Quartararo was born in Brooklyn, New York. His work in the music business began at an early age, booking music acts out of his bedroom while he was still in high school.
He attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York, where he booked the sockhop bands. He attended Syracuse University where his college roommates were John Sykes and Rob Light.
Sykes went on to become co-founder of MTV and VH1 Cable Networks as well as holding senior positions at record labels and radio broadcast networks. Light went on to become managing partner and head of music for CAA.
Quartararo began his career in the record industry as a local radio promotion manager for A&M Records from 1977 to 1981.
He moved on to become a regional promotion manager for RCA Records from 1981 to 1983.
His executive breakthrough came when he was hired as Senior VP Promotion and Marketing for Island Records from 1982 to 1986, where he was instrumental in breaking U2 in America.
Phil Quartararo career
Phil Quartararo had a long and successful career in various record labels and was involved in the careers of many famous artists. Here is a brief summary of his career:
He started his career as a local radio promotion manager for A&M Records in 1977 and then became a regional promotion manager for RCA Records in 1981.
He joined Island Records as Senior VP Promotion and Marketing in 1982, where he helped break U2 in America.
He was recruited by Richard Branson in 1986 to launch Virgin Records America, where he became President and CEO in 1992.
He worked with artists such as Smashing Pumpkins, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Abdul, Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Spice Girls, and Ben Harper.
He moved to Warner Bros. Records as President in 1997, where he was ranked #1 out of world’s largest record companies.
He worked with artists such as Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Madonna, Stevie Nicks, Cher, Wilco, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith Hill, Goo Goo Dolls, and Green Day.
He joined EMI Music as Executive Vice President and President of EMI Marketing in 2002, where he reorganized the company and shifted its focus from sales and distribution to marketing.
He worked with artists such as Coldplay, Norah Jones, Radiohead, and Robbie Williams.
He left EMI Music in 2006 and became a partner in the talent management firm The Collective, where he managed artists such as Yoshiki, Brandon Howard, and XJapan.
He also founded the consultancy QP2 Group and was the executive producer of the PBS miniseries The Soundtrack of Our Lives.
He became the Chairman of Guvera Ltd, a music streaming service, in 2016 and also served on the board of The GRAMMY Foundation.
Phil Quartararo was known as a defender of artist rights and a leader in the fight against music piracy.
He was also regarded as one of the most promotion-minded executives and a pioneer in the partnership between brands and artists.
He was a mentor and a friend to many in the music industry and will be remembered for his passion and vision.
Phil Quartararo Cause of death
Phil Quartararo died of pancreatic cancer on November 22, 2023. He was 67 years old.
A familiar and friendly presence at countless concerts across the decades, “Phil Q.” — pictured above with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks in 2001 — was renowned for his warm personality and firm handshake. Paula Abdul, another artist with whom he worked closely, said in a statement, “Phil believed in me like no other. His ceaseless support for me during my time at Virgin was unparalleled. I will miss him.”
Source: www.www.atinkanews.net
We appreciate your continuous support in reading stories on Atinkanews.net
Feel free to share this story on different social media platforms.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram.
