Mo Ostin, longtime Warner executive, has died at 95

Mo Ostin was a legendary record executive who oversaw Warner/Reprise Records for more than 30 years. He worked with many iconic artists like the Kinks. Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young. He also ran Warner/Reprise Records. He died Sunday from natural causes. He was 95.

“Mo was one of the greatest record men of all time, and a prime architect of the modern music business,”In a statement, Tom Corson and Aaron Bay Schuck stated that they are the current co-chairmen at Warner Records. “For Mo, it was always first and foremost about helping artists realize their vision. Mo was a pivotal figure in the evolution Warner Music Group’s Warner Music Group. In the 1960s, Warner/Reprise Records entered a golden age of culture-shifting, revolutionary artistry.

“Over his next three decades at the label, he remained a tireless champion of creative freedom, both for the talent he nurtured and the people who worked for him,”They added. “Mo lived an extraordinary life doing what he loved, and he will be deeply missed throughout the industry he helped create, and by the countless artists and colleagues whom he inspired to be their best selves. On behalf of everyone at Warner, we want to thank Mo for everything he did, and for his inspiring belief in our bright future. Our condolences go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Ostin got his start with Reprise Records in 1960, hired by none other than Reprise’s founder Frank Sinatra. After a few years, Warner Brothers purchased Reprise and Ostin was the head of the joint label. This created a powerful music hub with songs from the Kinks, Young, Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac, among others. Ostin had a reputation as an artist-first record man who the industry’s musicians trusted. In his later years with Warner, he’d also sign artists including Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“Between his people skills and genuine Mo-ness we were able to shift gears,” Anthony Kiedis said of Ostin’s place in signing the Chili Peppers in aLos Angeles Magazine Interview2018 The band just released their second album. Mother’s Milk,was getting courted by new labels including Ostin’s.

The Chili Peppers were initially paired with someone else but they eventually became friends. Los Angeles MagazineOstin called the band to congratulate them regardless, and they were so moved that they decided to work with him. Warner’s first album was their major breakthrough. Blood Sugar Sex Majik. “He was comfortable breaking bread with royalty or punks from the gutters of Hollywood — it was kind of special.”

After leaving Warner in 1994, Ostin also worked with Dreamworks in 1995 to found the entertainment company’s music division. In 2003, Young, Lorne Michaels and Paul Simon introduced him to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“I love Mo, and you talk about a phrase that means something different today than what it used to mean, it’s called behind the music. That phrase now connotes soap operas to me, but this man Mo Ostin was behind the music,”Young stated this at the induction. “He was behind making it happen, he was behind letting it happen however it was going to happen, and he was behind keeping it happening. And that’s why Reprise and Warner Brothers were the greatest label ever in music, as far as I’m concerned. That man there.”

Ostin is survived by his son Michael; his wife Evelyn died in 2005, and Ostin’s two other sons Kenny and Randy died in 2004 and 2013, respectively.

“In an era when creative entrepreneurs are revered, we celebrate Mo Ostin as a pioneer who wrote the rulebook for others to follow,” Warner Music Group’s CEO of recorded music Max Lousada said in a statement. “Warner Music Group and Warner Records wouldn’t exist without his passion, vision, and intelligence. He not only helped build one of the world’s greatest music companies, but he inspired a culture driven by bravery and ingenuity. Mo saw artists for who they really were and gave them the space and support to fully realize their originality. Our condolences to Michael and the whole Ostin family. Mo was a legend, and he will be deeply missed.”

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