MASSEY BEGINS SONY TENURE AS NEW ARISTA HEAD

David Massey’s new tenure at Sony Music has begun in earnest, with the veteran record man and former Island chieftain coming in to lead the newly relaunched Arista Records. Massey will be based in New York and will report to Sony boss Rob Stringer.

Sony and Massey have entered a JV for new management and publishing entities as well, according to the announcement.

Massey previously served at Sony from 1991-2007, beginning in A&R at Epic and eventually ascending to EVP A&R for the entire SME group before joining UMG to run Mercury. He became President/CEO of Island in 2013. He began his career in management in the U.K., beginning with Wang Chung. Go here for more Massey background.

Arista, of course, was launched in 1974 by Clive Davis, and was the label home of such heavyweight acts as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith, Carlos Santana, The Grateful Dead, Barry Manilow and The Kinks.

"We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey," Stringer proclaimed. "David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy."

"I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records,” Massey declared. “Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing."

"I am really delighted to see the Arista name return to a place of prominence under an executive with the talents of David Massey,” added Davis. “David is a true music man who has tremendous respect for artistry, and he is the ideal choice to carry on the label’s great tradition."

Massey plans to avoid our calls whenever possible.