British music executive Tony Calder died aged 73 on Tuesday (January 2).
The exec started his career in the music industry in the ‘60s, going on to work with The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Marianne Faithful and Eddy Grant.
Over his 50-year career, Calder worked in PR, management, A&R, as a producer and business manager.
In the mid ‘60s, he joined forces with Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham to launch a PR company. The duo later formed blues and R&B label Immediate Records.
He died in hospital earlier this week following an illness.
“Tony was one of a kind and a huge part of creating and consolidating the music industry at a time when it was still in its Wild West phase.”
mark st. john
A fried of Calder’s, Mark St. John, paid tribute: “Tony was a polarising character, but, love him or hate him, he was one of a kind and a huge, huge part of creating and consolidating the music industry at a time when it was still in its Wild West phase.
“From The Beatles to The Stones, Marianne Faithful and Eddy Grant to Jive Bunny, Formula One sponsorship to an (almost) take-over of EMI at the end of Terra Firma’s tenure.
“He was always in the mix and looking for the next deal and the next big thing.
“The end of an era… Often said, seldom true. This time it is. Happy Trails TC, here’s to the next life.”
Tony Calder pictured right with Andrew Loog OldhamMusic Business Worldwide