Howie Klein, an influential government at Sire Information and onetime president of Reprise Information, has died at age 77. He labored carefully with such acts as Lou Reed, Ramones, Speaking Heads, Inexperienced Day, Wilco, Alanis Morissette, and lots of others.
Klein handed away from pancreatic most cancers, as reported by his sister Michelle through publish on Fb: “As most of my fantastic buddies know my household has suffered one other tragic demise. My good brother Howie Klein has handed away after struggling with pancreatic most cancers for a lot of many months. He had a very wonderful life and he lived it on a regular basis. He will likely be missed by everybody who knew him and cherished him. Good night time to my pricey brother.”
Klein began out as a number of a punk radio present on KSAN in San Francisco within the late ’70s, throughout which era he interviewed such acts as Iggy Pop, Devo, Intercourse Pistols, and others. He additionally helped launch “Rampage Radio” on KUSF across the similar time, serving to to place the highlight on heavy metallic and influencing plenty of Bay Space thrash bands alongside the best way.
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It was in San Francisco that and he and Bruce Bridges co-founded their very own label, 415 Information, signing such acts as The Nuns, The Items, Romeo Void, and Translator.
He joined Sire Information in 1987, working with such acts as Lou Reed, Depeche Mode, Ramones, Speaking Heads, and others. He later turned president of Reprise Information, the place he helped information the careers of Inexperienced Day, Alanis Morissette, and Wilco, and was referred to as an artist-friendly government.
Klein left Reprise after the Tim Warner-AOL merger in 2001, and his departure was instantly felt by Wilco, who have been pressured by the brand new execs to transform their now-classic album Yankee Lodge Foxtrot over issues about its industrial attraction. Wilco ended up getting out of their Reprise contract, and releasing the album through Nonesuch Information to worldwide essential acclaim.
Exterior of music, Klein was an outspoken advocate of free speech and progressive causes. In 2000, he obtained the Invoice of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.
Our condolences exit to Howie Klein’s household and buddies throughout this troublesome time. An interview with him from April 2024 may be seen under.
