Don Grierson passed away January 22nd. Don was a legend and fixture in the music industry and a friend of all of us here at Hunnypot. We celebrate with Don and talk about his life, love of songs and history in the music industry from episode #357 in January of 2017.
Listen here: Don Grierson on Hunnypot Live #357
Originally a Disc Jockey in Australia, Don Grierson, a legendary, internationally acclaimed A&R executive, has worked with many of the most notable artists in modern music history. As a promotion person for Capitol Records he was involved with The Beatles and the launch of Apple Records, receiving the only Golden Apple Award ever given by The Beatles. Don also worked in International, Marketing and Advertising for Capitol. He then became a founding member and VP, A&R, for EMI America Records, signing and working with acts such as Sheena Easton, Kim Carnes, Kate Bush, Sir Cliff Richard, J. Geils Band, and Kenny Rogers.
This was followed by a very successful period as VP, Head of A&R at Capitol where he signed and/or helped guide a number of hit-making artists, including Anne Murray, Tina Turner, Heart, Joe Cocker, Steve Vai, Megadeth, The Motels, Bob Seger, Duran Duran, Thomas Dolby, Billy Squier, and others. Later he became Sr. VP, Head of A&R at Sony/Epic Records in New York, signing and working with such acts as Celine Dion, Cheap Trick, Bad English, Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, The Jacksons and Living Colour.
Don later became Co-Owner/Co-President of Drive Entertainment, an independent catalog oriented label and now currently operates his own music industrty consultant company, is a Music Supervisor for Independent films as well as an Executive Producer/A&R.
He is on the Advisory Boards of MusicBizPro, India; ArtistIntersect.com; is a voting member of The Grammys; an instructor at Musicians Institute, Hollywood, California and co-author (with Dan Kimpel) of the published book "It All Begins With The Music".
