George Goldner was an American record label owner, record producer and promoter who played an important role in establishing the popularity of rock and roll in the 1950s, by recording and promoting many groups and records that appealed to young people across racial boundaries.
14 Facts About George Goldner
1.
2.
George Goldner established a number of record labels, including Tico, Rama, Gee, Roulette, End, Gone, and Red Bird.
3.
George Goldner was born to a Jewish family in 1918 to a mother Rose originally from Poland and father Adolph from Austria.
4.
George Goldner later worked in the garment business, before opening a chain of dance halls in New York and New Jersey.
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George Goldner recorded and distributed music by such artists as Tito Puente, Joe Loco and Machito, becoming the most important Latin music label and helping to integrate the music into mainstream pop, especially through mambo music.
6.
George Goldner recruited Richard Barrett, lead singer of another doo-wop group, the Valentines, as his production assistant.
7.
Jerry Leiber said that he had the taste of a fourteen-year-old girl, and that, as far as sales and promotion went, George Goldner was a master.
8.
George Goldner signed and recorded Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, whose song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" became a crossover hit in early 1956, this time becoming an international success.
9.
George Goldner started the Luniverse label with Bill Buchanan and Dickie Goodman, to release novelty records.
10.
George Goldner recorded the Isley Brothers, the Four Seasons and Johnny Rivers on Gone.
11.
George Goldner taught Ripp his practices regarding how to create and distribute music, including how to structure a record contract, how to work a studio, and how to get a record on the radio.
12.
George Goldner became a partner in the company, promoting Red Bird releases, while Leiber and Stoller worked on production.
13.
George Goldner was successful, producing hits for the Dixie Cups, the Shangri-Las, and the Ad-Libs.
14.
George Goldner died of a heart attack on April 15,1970, at age 52.