by Michelle Bulla

Created on: July 05, 2009

Remembering Music business's Allen Klein - dies at the age of 77.

While families across America were celebrating Independence, others were remembering Allen Klein.

Allen Klein got his start after he met late 1950's big band performer Bobby Darin, later in the early 60's Klein became business manager (the later owner of Tracey Records) to major hits artist Sam Cooke, who was the first black performer to address the business side of the music world. By 1965 Mr. Klein was titled co-manager of favorable band, The Rolling Stones, buying the other share of management in 1966, fired a few years later and walked away with rights to recorded songs before 1971. In 1969 Klein contacted The Beatles, who were desperate for someone to take over their heavy business as their earlier manager was no longer. Their business matters were later split with lack of trust from the band. While band member Paul McCartney rather the dissolve of the band than have Klein milk their artistic legacy.

When 1967 came Allen purchased Cameo Records, which included Parkway Records, an advertise pinpointed at teen's musical interest. He helped bands under these labels including The Animals and Herman's Hermits. He later bought rights to all music produced by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Phil Spector. As years had gone by and 1997 came The Verve's album Urban Hymns included a popular song 'Bittersweet Symphony', which sampled an orchestra piece from a song of The Rolling Stones, was listed at number 23 on billboard charts. Allen Klein and The Verve had previously signed a licensing agreement on the sample, although when Klein recognised the success of the song he claimed the band had used "too much" of the sample, not what they signed to agree on, and was granted ownership of the song. Allen continued to disperse the song to advertising companies such as 'Nike' and 'Vauxhall', and when the song was nominated for a Grammy, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were listed as the nominees as opposed to The Verve.

Mr. Klein also has his hands in producing and buying rights to films such as 'The Man With No Name', 'A Stranger In Town', 'The Stranger Returns', 'The Silent Stranger', 'Blindman', 'El Topo' and 'The Holy Mountain'. Disputes continued into Klein's involvement in films, one finally ending only five years ago.

Allen supported causes such as City of Hope, The NYU Dept of Cardiology Lipid Treatment & Research Center, Alzheimer's Association, The Sloane Kettering Children's Hospital, The Juvenile Diabetes Association, The Painted Turtle, The Central Park Medical Unit and The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy.

Later in his years of life, Allen Klein was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and had a long struggle ahead of himself. On Saturday, July 4th, Allen Klein died in his New York home. Klein is survied by his wife, Betty, their three children, Robin, Jody and Beth, four grandchildren, his sister, Naomi and his longtime companion, Iris Keitel. The family of Mr. Klein is asking for donations be made to Alzheimer;s Association of New York, or The Juvenile Diabetes Association instead of flowers. Services will be held Tuesday, July 7th, at Riverside Memorial Chapel located in New York.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Bulla.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.