George Osaki RIP

GEORGE OSAKI, a renowned and influential graphic artist an art director, died in his sleep in the early hours of Dec. 13. He was 78. “With Gil Friesen gone, it’s like the passing of an era of the brilliant creative directors of the golden age of music graphics,” said longtime designer Junie Osaki, who informed us of the passing of her ex-husband; they were married from 1972 to 1979. A number of prominent designers launched their careers under Osaki during the 1960s, when he was the art Director at Capitol. His protégés included Roland Young (A&M), Ed Thrasher (Warner Bros.), John Van Hamersveld, Bob Lockhart, Rod Dyer and Roy Kohara, who succeeded him at Capitol. When Osaki left Capitol, he worked at AGI before becoming the first art director at the newly formed MCA in 1971. He’s survived by daughters Dina, Kari and Kelly; his grandchildren Jade Bryant, Noa Bryant and Taylor Williamson; and siblings Karen Ushijima, Allan Osaki and Cynthia Fujinaka. (12/24a)