PROMO GENEALOGY:
JOE RICCITELLI

Here's another snippet from Lenny Beer's overview of the Promotion Family Tree: a few choice words about RCA Co-Prez and promo chief Joe Riccitelli.

Another industry veteran, who has been awarded with the title of President, started out in the Bettencourt/Leach years but is most closely known as a protégé of Johnny Barbis. Johnny’s career took him on many promotion stops, as well as into management (Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg). Barbis remains just about the friendliest, warmest human ever to cross my path. Joe is imbued with that same genial kindness, mixed with Bettencourt’s masterful cunning. He’s also renowned for his close relationships with artists; it is industry lore—but entirely plausible—that P!nk demanded to stay with Riccitelli when Arista, Jive and RCA merged. Joe has guided the careers of his artists for two decades, and his longevity is easy to understand. Being a great guy, the kind of person you just want to hang out with, has gone a long way for Mr. Riccitelli. He’s not the guy gatekeepers ever want to say “no” to.

Joe in the early days with the beloved Barbis and team.