Don DeVito
Don DeVito | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 6, 1939 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | November 25, 2011 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, music business executive and guitarist |
| Notable work | Grammy award in 1989 for the Best Traditional Folk Recording |
Don DeVito (September 6, 1939 – November 25, 2011) was an American
Bob Dylan At Budokan
.
Early life
He was born on September 6, 1939, in
Brooklyn, New York to Connie and Ralph DeVito, and in his late teens began playing as a guitarist in Al Kooper
's band. After a year touring, he returned to college where he achieved a degree in English, before forming his own band, the Sabres.
Career
The band broke up while on a cross-country tour, leaving DeVito stranded in
Miami, Florida before transferring to New York City in 1971 to head up a new marketing initiative, later moving to the main Columbia A&R department. He also began spending time in recording studios to learn from such producers as Bob Johnston, James William Guercio and Phil Ramone.[1]
Having been introduced by Cash to Bob Dylan, DeVito helped in the process of returning Dylan to Columbia from
Simon and Garfunkel, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett and Carole King.[1][3] A generous mentor, his protégés included Warner/Chappel Music's Lee Dannay, and Daniel Levitin
.
In 1981 he was appointed National Vice President of A&R for Columbia. He was nominated for a
9/11 attacks. He retired from Sony Music in 2007.[1]
Death
He died in 2011 at the age of 72, after a prolonged period with prostate cancer. Billy Joel, Rosanne Cash, Daniel Levitin, and others performed at the funeral. He is survived by his wife Carolyn and his two children Marissa and James.
References
- ^ a b c "Don DeVito, Grammy-Winning Producer and Longtime Columbia A&R Exec, Dead at 72, Billboard.biz, November 28, 2011". Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ "Dylan Producer Don DeVito Dies at 72". 29 November 2011.
- ^ Christopher Morris, Don DeVito dies at 72, Variety, 28 November 2011
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
