Bob Krasnow

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Bob Krasnow
Born
Robert Alan Krasnow

(1934-07-20)July 20, 1934
Warner Bros Records
  • Elektra Records
  • Asylum Records
  • Nonesuch Records
    • Spouses
    • Sandra Lee Marks
      ​
      (m. 1954)​
    • Nada Lantz
      ​
      ​
      (m. 2002; died 2015)​
    Children3

    Robert Alan Krasnow (July 20, 1934 – December 11, 2016) was an American record label executive and entrepreneur who had a long and successful career in the music industry. He founded Blue Thumb Records, later became chairman of Elektra Records, and was a co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[1]

    Biography

    Robert Krasnow was born in Rochester, New York, to Ben Krasnow, a commercial artist (sign painter),

    Russian Jewish
    parentage.

    Krasnow's early career included working as a promotions man for

    Richard M. Nixon.[5]

    He ran the

    Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart
    .

    In 1968 Krasnow left the Kama Sutra/Buddah labels and founded Blue Thumb Records in

    Don Graham and Tommy LiPuma. The first release on this label was the second Captain Beefheart album Strictly Personal. Krasnow's use of phasing effects on this album is controversial. Beefheart subsequently condemned the production, which he said was done without his knowledge or approval, though it is claimed by other band members that he initially agreed to it.[citation needed
    ]

    Among the other acts Krasnow brought to Blue Thumb were

    The Crusaders, Hugh Masekela,[9] Southwind, Ike & Tina Turner, the Pointer Sisters, Dave Mason, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Marc Bolan & T.Rex, Arthur Lee, Clifton Chenier, Love, Gábor Szabó, Mark-Almond, and John Mayall
    .

    Krasnow served as president of Blue Thumb until 1974, when he became vice president/talent acquisition for

    Warner Bros. Records, a role he held until 1983 when he was elevated to chairman and CEO of Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records
    (later known as Elektra Entertainment).

    While with Warner and Elektra starting 1984, he signed Chaka Khan, George Benson, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Kraftwerk, Anita Baker, Teddy Pendergrass, Womack & Womack, Public Image Ltd and The Cure to those labels. Krasnow also became known for shelving projects such as Dee Snider's post-Twisted Sister outfit, Desperado, as detailed in Snider's 2012 autobiography, Shut Up and Give Me the Mic.[10]

    During this period Krasnow let

    MCA Music Entertainment Group.[14]

    In private life, Krasnow has been a member of board of directors of New York City Center (theater for independent choreography); a member of the board of directors and president's council of the Brooklyn Academy of Music; co-president of the French Music Office; national committee member of the March of Dimes; executive vice-president of the Paul Taylor Dance Company; and a member of board of directors of the Wadleigh School and a co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[citation needed]

    Krasnow died on December 11, 2016, in Wellington, Florida, of organ cancer.[15][16]

    Awards and honors

    Krasnow's honors include being named the T.J. Martell Foundation Cancer Research Man of the Year in 1984 and 1989;

    Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy honoree in 1989; and recipient of the Ellis Island
    Medal of Honor in 1992.

    References

    1. ^ "Bob Krasnow, Revitalizer of Elektra Records, Dies at 82 (Published 2016)". December 14, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
    2. ^ 1940 census http://www.ancestry.com/1940-census/usa/California/Paul-Krasnow_2hx4j0
    3. ^ Rochester NY City Directory, 1929, page 2037, image on Ancestry.com.
    4. ^ Federal Naturalization Records, No. 126539, image on Ancestry.com.
    5. ^ "Report To The Nation". Bay Area Radio Museum. August 7, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
    6. ^ "New WB Label Stresses Singles" (PDF). Billboard. August 22, 1964. p. 3.
    7. ^ "Krasnow Joins Marks' West Coast Staff" (PDF). Cash Box: 215. July 2, 1966.
    8. ^ "Bob Krasnow, 1935-2016".
    9. ^ "Blue Thumb Records".
    10. ^ "Bloodied But Unbowed – Passing Time with Dee Snider, Desperado and Shut Up And Give Me The Mic". Destroyer of Harmony. September 6, 2013.
    11. ^ a b c 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
    12. ^ Ingham, Tim (October 12, 2020). "Five Crucial Lessons From Jac Holzman, Who Founded Elektra Records and Signed The Doors". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
    13. ^ Philips, Chuck (July 13, 1994). "Elektra Chief Bob Krasnow Abruptly Quits". Los Angeles Times.
    14. ^ "Archives".
    15. ISSN 0006-2510
      .
    16. ^ Sisario, Ben (December 13, 2016). "Bob Krasnow, Revitalizer of Elektra Records, Dies at 82". The New York Times.

    External links

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bob_Krasnow&oldid=1181355047"