Jerry Brenner
| Jerry Brenner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Gerald Neil Brenner April 28, 1940 Revere, MA |
| 💀Died | February 24, 2014 (aged 73) Boston, MAFebruary 24, 2014 (aged 73) |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Jewish |
| 💼 Occupation | Music Promoter, Executive, Marketer |
| 📆 Years active | 1960-2014 |
| Known for | Music Promotion, Critique Records, Jerry Brenner Music Group |
Gerald Neil Brenner (born April 28, 1940) is an American music executive, artist manager, music promoter, and entrepreneur. Jerry Brenner was born in Winthrop, MA, to Phillip Brenner and Sara Patt Brenner. Brenner graduated from Revere High School in Massachusetts, class of 1958. He served in the US ARMY and started his career in the music business working for Don Dumont Record Distribution[1] in the late 1960s. He then moved on to working with Howie Ring at Music City Music/Music Sales, in the early 1970s.
Business career
Brenner's first job was working for Dumont Record Distribution in the 1960s, and he became a middleman between the radio stations and record labels. Jerry met radio station programmers and record label promotion executives during his time at Dumont Records. Jerry left Dumont Records in the early 1970s and started his own independent radio promotion business called The Jerry Brenner Group. Jerry's expertise was Top 40 Radio, and many major market radio stations and well-known radio groups in the country were his clients. Jerry worked with Clear Channel, Cox Communications, Cumulus Media, CBS, Entercom, and Beasley Media Group. Jerry promoted hundreds of hit songs. "Jerry Brenner worked synergistically, communicated regularly, and was enthusiastic and excited about the music he promoted, regardless of what label it was on. He turned me on to great songs and great records long before they were hits, and that same enthusiasm won him respect at radio” (Meyer)[2]. The Boston native promoted Bruce Springsteen and worked closely with Jon Landau. “Jerry was a key part of the Boston music world for many, many years,” said Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager. “I knew him pretty well back then, and we always got along great. He was a solid, likeable guy who always did what he said he would” (Morse)[3]. Jerry worked records for almost every big musical act from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Steven Tyler, Whitney Houston, U2, Elton John, Madonna, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, and many more. In 1983, Jerry and Carl Strube started Critique Records. Popular songs on their label included 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready for This," "No Limits," and "Twilight Zone," and Nicki French's "Total Eclipse Of The Heart." In the early 2000s, Jerry went on to manage the boy band known as Dream Street featuring Jesse McCartney. He also partnered with his son-in-law Jon Stuart and well-known manager, Johnny Wright, to manage the revamped Latin pop group Menudo. Menudo was premiered with a TV show on MTV called "Making Menudo."
Accomplishments
Brenner led the surge of independent promotion, signed exclusive promotion deals with radio groups, and linked music and the sports world with compilation albums. He was the brains behind the sports compilations known as "Jock Jams."[4] Jerry came up with this idea with the founder of CBS Sportsline, Mike Levy. Jerry and Richard Balsbaugh, the owner of WXKS-FM Kiss 108 radio station in Boston, discussed the idea of putting together a radio summer concert. KISS 108 was sold to Clear Channel Communications, which became IHeart Media. IHeart Media still throws Summer Jams and Jingle Ball Concerts to this day.
Personal life
Brenner resided in Swampscott, MA at his oceanside home with his wife Gail Brenner and four daughters. Brenner died suddenly from lung cancer in 2014. His family honors his legacy with the Jerry Brenner scholarship fund[5], which raises money for talented students pursuing a music career at Swampscott High School.
References
- ↑ Dumont, Don. "Don Dumont Record Distribution". Billboard.
- ↑ Meyer, Steve. "Jerry Brenner, 1940-2014, R.I.P". All Access.
- ↑ Morse, Steve. "Jerry Brenner, 73, of Swampscott; Legendary Music Promoter in Boston - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ "Tuning in to sports". Bizjournals.
- ↑ "Gerald N Brenner Scholarship Fund". All Access.
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