Sept. 12
Tom Skeeter, longtime music industry insider and original owner of the legendary Sound City Studios, died of cancer after an initial diagnosis just six weeks ago. He was 82. “He was an amazing husband, dad and grandpa. We should all be so lucky to live such a good life, without regrets,” reflected his daughter, Sandy.
Lonnie Lynn Sr., rapper-activist, Common‘s father and a spoken-word poet, who appeared on his son’s albums, died of unknown causes. He was 71.
Sept. 14
Late singer Amy Winehouse was honored on what would have been her 31st birthday with a life-size statue in her beloved Camden Town in north London.
The New Pornographers founding drummer Kurt Dahle announced his departure from the band after 15 years.
Sept. 16
Multiplatform media company Clear Channel announced a change in name to iHeartMedia, reflecting the growth and influence of the iHeart brands.
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Rapper Eminem and his publishing company Eight Mile Style and Martin Affiliated filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the National Party in New Zealand after Prime Minister John Key used “Lose Yourself” in a re-election campaign ad without permission.
Republic Records announced a restructuring of its media department: Beau Benton is vp media, Marisa Bianco is senior director of media, and Bryan Kehn, Taylor Vaughn and Samara Shwidock are managers.
BMG signed a multiyear licensing deal with Pandora, allowing the service to play its complete BMI and ASCAP song catalogs.
Danny Goldberg‘s New York-based Gold Village Entertainment announced an expansion to Nashville, partnering with House of Blues Studios’ Gary Belz.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing, in partnership with T.I.‘s Grand Hustle Records, signed Iggy Azalea to a worldwide publishing agreement, covering existing and future works. No terms of the deal were available.
Sept. 17
Tiesto debuted a score for Las Vegas’ Bellagio Fountains, the attraction’s first EDM sequence.
Warner Music Group COO of corporate Rob Wiesenthal added oversight of digital business development for the company, while Jonathan Dworkin was promoted to executive vp digital strategy and business development.
Coachella creator Goldenvoice announced a joint venture with Red Frog Events to promote and produce Delaware’s Firefly Music Festival. The fest sold 30,000 tickets in 2012 (its first year), 65,000 in 2013 and 85,000 in 2014.