The music executive led an illustrious career (Picture: Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)
Music industry pioneer Charles Koppelman, who had a hand in the careers of esteemed musicians including Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton and Cher, has died at the age of 82.
In a post shared by his son, Billions co-creator Brian Koppelman, on Instagram, it was said that Koppelman ‘spent his last days surrounded by those he loved the most’.
Sharing a picture of them smiling together, the TV screenwriter wrote in his caption: ‘I’ll write more about my dad, Charles Koppelman, when I can. But the only thing that matters is how much I loved him. And how much he taught me about every single thing that matters.
‘He lived exactly the life he wanted to live. And he spent his last days surrounded by those he loved the most. Pop, thank you.’
Koppelman’s daughter Jenny Koppelman Hutt, a radio TV personality, also paid tribute to her father on Facebook, writing: ‘With a very heavy heart, we want to share that our beloved father, Pop-Pop, and best friend Charles Koppelman passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his entire family. His larger-than-life presence will be with us forever.’
No cause of death was given for the revered music executive, who began his career as a member of the musical group The Ivy Three in the late 1950s.
He went on to form an entertainment company called Koppelman/Rubin Associates, before Koppelman moved to CBS Records in the 1970s, where he signed artists including Billy Joel and Journey as the vice president and national director of A&R.
In 1975, his company The Entertainment Company was formed, which worked with musicians among the likes of Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Cher and Diana Ross.
When Koppelman’s son was in college, the student discovered Fast Cars singer Tracy Chapman and introduced her to his father, subsequently resulting in her signing a record deal.
The music mogul pictured with group Wilson Phillips in 1991 (Picture: Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images)
Another company was co-founded by Koppelman in the 1980s called SBK Entertainment World, Inc., an independent music publisher involved in the careers of artists including Michael Bolton and New Kids on the Block.
Then in 1989, the firm was sold to EMI Music and a partnership was created, leading to the creation of the record label SBK Records, which signed musicians including Wilson Phillips and Vanilla Ice.
Koppelman worked closely with Martha Stewart (Picture: Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Koppelman became CEO of EMI Records Group North America, and played a key role in Frank Sinatra’s reconciliation with Capitol Records, ahead of the legendary singer releasing his 1993 album Duets.
He was the chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, having appeared as the businesswoman’s aide on her spin-off of The Apprentice in 2005.
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The music executive was involved in the careers of Billy Joel, Cher and Wilson Phillips.
