1. Ewart Abner, the son of a minister, was born in Chicago and graduated from Englewood High School in 1939.
12 Facts About Ewart Abner
1. 2.
Ewart Abner went to Howard University and studied pharmacy but dropped out and served in the military.
3.
In 1954, Abner became part owner and general manager of Vee-Jay Records.
4.
Ewart Abner was appointed president of Vee-Jay in 1961 and with the addition of artists such as Jerry Butler, the Four Seasons, Gene Chandler, Holly Maxwell, Dee Clark, Betty Everett, John Lee Hooker, and Jimmy Reed, the company continued to grow as a major independent.
5.
Meanwhile, Ewart Abner formed Constellation Records in August 1963 with partners Art Sheridan and Bill "Bunky" Sheppard.
6.
Ewart Abner was hired by Berry Gordy to be vice-president of International Management at Motown in 1967.
7.
Ewart Abner was President of Motown from 1973 to 1975.
8.
Ewart Abner was given the NAACP Image Award and was inducted into the Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
9.
Ewart Abner remained close to Berry Gordy and was an advisor to him until his death.
10.
Ewart Abner was vice chairman of the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit.
11.
Ewart Abner died on December 27,1997, in Los Angeles, California.
12.
Ewart Abner was 74, and was survived by his wife, Olivia Watson Abner, and seven children, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter.