ALL'S FAIR FOR NEW GEFFEN CHAIRMAN
Coinciding with his 25th anniversary in the music business, Ron Fair has been promoted to Chairman of Geffen Records by Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, to whom he reports.
The move had long been expected for Fair, who was formerly President of A&M Records.
Based in Santa Monica, the producer, arranger, musician, recording engineer and label executive will oversee the creative direction and operations of Geffen and A&M Records, with an artist roster that includes Mary J. Blige (for whom he handled vocal production on her #1 hit “Be Without You” from her double platinum album The Breakthrough), platinum newcomer Keyshia Cole, the five-times platinum Pussycat Dolls, the eight-times platinum The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie’s upcoming solo project The Dutchess, Snow Patrol, Enrique Iglesias, Counting Crows, Macy Gray, Jonny Lang, Common and Snoop Dogg, among many others. There is also a Charles Duhigg breakdance album in the works for the L.A. Times music biz writer.
Added Iovine: “Ron is one of a kind. He is the rare combination of a brilliant record guy with deep-rooted music skills who understands the essence of the many different genres of music he‘s putting out. He can identify the talent, whether it is an executive or an artist, and help nurture that dream to the fullest of its potential. There’s one thing for certain, the record business needs more people like Ron Fair. Now, if I can just get him to start wearing a baseball cap.”
Added Fair: “Jimmy Iovine and I are kindred spirits. He fueled my imagination and showed me the way. I intend to invest my entire soul into the pursuit of fulfilling our artists’ musical potential and their dreams. I’m grateful to Jimmy and Doug Morris for allowing me to bring my passion, ideas and high hopes into this new position. Now, if you need me, I'll be in the studio.”
Fair had served as President of A&M Records since 2001, and is credited with developing the multi-platinum Grammy winners The Black Eyed Peas, as well as launching platinum R&B newcomer Keyshia Cole and, along with Iovine, multi-platinum dance-pop stars Pussycat Dolls. Fair earned his first gold record as Bill Conti’s assistant on the seminal recording “Gonna Fly Now” from the soundtrack to Rocky. Crediting Conti as his first mentor, Fair embarked on a path as an A&R executive and producer beginning in 1981 with RCA, followed by stints at Chrysalis, Island UK, EMI and RCA again in 1993. Prior to his arrival at A&M, he was best-known for discovering and developing Christina Aguilera and producing recordings for the multi-Grammy winner that have sold more than 30 million copies.
Fair’s impressive string of hits as a producer and/or arranger include “I Should Have Cheated” and “Love” (Keyshia Cole), “Be Without You” (Mary J. Blige), “One” (Mary J. Blige & U2), “Buttons,” “Stickwitu” and “Beep” (Pussycat Dolls), “Where Is The Love?” (The Black Eyed Peas), “A Thousand Miles” (Vanessa Carlton), “Big Yellow Taxi” (Counting Crows), “Baby, I Love Your Way” (Big Mountain), “Lady Marmalade” (Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Lil’ Kim), “Come On Over Baby” (Christina Aguilera).
