30 Facts About Morris Levy

Morris Levy was a prominent subject of investigations into organized crime and the music industry, and was convicted of extortion shortly before his death.

At the peak of his business career, Morris Levy owned more than 90 companies employing 900 people, including record-pressing plants, tape-duplicating plants, a distribution company, a prominent New England chain of 81 record stores, and many record labels.

Morris Levy was convicted of extortion in 1990 on charges from an FBI investigation of alleged infiltration of organized crime into the record business.

Morris Levy died after losing his appeal, two months before he was scheduled to report to prison.

Morris Levy was born a Sephardic Jew in Harlem, New York City.

Morris Levy quit school at the age of 13 and ran away to Florida, where he worked as a photographer in and around nightclubs.

Morris Levy persuaded the owners of the nightclub where he worked to buy a club in New York, subsequently managing the club as the Cock Lounge.

At Birdland, Morris Levy was approached by a representative of ASCAP, seeking payment on behalf of songwriters for booking live music.

Morris Levy quickly appreciated the potential profits that could accrue from owning music copyrights.

Morris Levy then formed a publishing company, Patricia Music, for which he acquired the rights to songs performed in his clubs.

In 1967, Morris Levy hired a personal assistant Karin Grasso, the wife of singer-songwriter Richie Grasso whose work includes "Sweet Cherry Wine", co-written with Tommy James and performed by Tommy James and the Shondells.

At one point, Morris Levy claimed the rights to the phrase rock and roll itself, which became widely employed after its use by his friend Alan Freed.

Morris Levy was known to add his name to the songwriting credits of many artists who recorded for his label.

Lennon ultimately settled with Morris Levy by agreeing to record three songs from Morris Levy's publishing catalogue during the sessions for his 1975 LP Rock 'n' Roll, co-produced with Phil Spector.

Morris Levy successfully sued Lennon and was awarded $6,795, but he was countersued by Lennon, Capitol, EMI, and Apple Records, who won an award of $145,300.

Morris Levy was convicted in December 1988 by a Federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, of two counts of conspiring to extort.

Morris Levy, speaking on his association with alleged mob figures:.

At his sentencing hearing, his attorneys cited his extensive philanthropic work, while FBI agents testified that Morris Levy had been a major supplier of heroin for a convicted Philadelphia drug dealer, Roland Bartlett.

In 1988 Morris Levy was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $200,000, subsequently appealing his conviction.

In January 1990, Morris Levy unsuccessfully petitioned to have his sentence eliminated because of his failing health.

Morris Levy died on May 20,1990, in Ghent, New York, of cancer, before he could report to jail.

Morris Levy lived in a Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan, New York City and at his 1,500-acre farm, Sunnyview Farm, seven miles east of the Hudson River in Columbia County, Ghent, New York.

Morris Levy initially used it to raise cattle, hay, and corn, but later used it exclusively to breed race horses.

Morris Levy's body was discovered in the rear of the club, near the service area.

Morris Levy subsequently took over Irving's role in the club; and from 1959 through the early 1960s, the club enjoyed great success as one of the few remaining jazz clubs in the area.

Morris Levy served on the board of the Boston Opera Company, was chairman emeritus of the United Jewish Appeal and helped raise millions of dollars for other charities.

Morris Levy was named "Man of the Year" by United Jewish Appeal in 1973, serving on the board of Columbia County Hospital and he chaired fundraisers for the Black Congressional Choir, the Foundling Hospital, and St Patrick's Cathedral Choir.

Morris Levy was portrayed by David Gianopoulos in the 1999 television film Mr Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story.

Morris Levy featured prominently in the 2010 autobiography Me, The Mob, and The Music by Tommy James, leader of the 1960s rock band Tommy James and the Shondells.

Music companies, record companies and labels owned by Morris Levy included the following:.