HAROLD CHILDS:
REMEMBERING THE CHIEF

Universally respected promotion executive Harold Childs, best known for his key contributions to the peak era of A&M Records, died on 8/27 following a battle with leukemia. He was 80.

Born in Philadelphia on May 8, 1943, the sixth of seven siblings, Childs began pursuing his interests in politics, literature and music early in life. He was awarded the Living Legends Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 in recognition of his role as a trailblazer in the industry and as a forward-thinking record executive who thrived in an ever-changing marketplace.

Childs' half-century career began in the stock room at Philly's Marnel Record Distributers while he was still attending Dobbins High School. He went on to be named regional promotion manager for RCA Victor during an era when promotion men wore company blazers to identify them. Childs joined A&M in 1969 as the NYC-based national sales and promotion director for CTI (Creed Taylor International).

After CTI went independent, Childs became national sales and promo director for A&M's entire domestic label, moving to Los Angeles in 1971. He was upped to VP of A&M promotion in 1974 and named SVP of promotion and sales four years later. At A&M, he led the team that broke The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Captain & Tennille, Peter Frampton, Supertramp, The Brothers Johnson, Styx, Joe Jackson, The Police, Human League and George Harrison (on the A&M-distribbed Dark Horse label), helping make the company one of the leading indies of the 1970s and ’80s.

In those days it was unusual for an African American to play a significant role in the overall pop-music efforts at most major labels, but Childs was seen as a truly ecumenical figure in the industry—one with an outsized personality at that.

He left A&M in 1984, joining Polygram as SVP, and thereafter served as president of QWEST Records at the behest of Quincy Jones before joining Warner Bros. Records. As the head of WB’s jazz-promotion team, he worked releases by Al Jarreau and David Sanborn and reunited with George Benson, whose career had begun at CTI.

More recently, Childs served as a consultant for L.A.-based Soundboard Marketing and the Japanese label Alpha Records.

Styx’s Tommy Shaw wrote on Facebook “Harold was so great to work with, took such good care of us and was loved and respected by all who knew and worked with him. It was always great to run into Harold on the lot or in the offices. Eternal peace and joy to you old friend.”

Said fellow promo exec Marko Babineau, “I loved Harold. He was a bright light in a dark world. Kind and generous to a fault. So many great memories that will never be forgotten.”

A&M alumnus Ed Eckstine remembered Childs fondly. “Being mentored by Harold was a godsend and a blessing, to say the least,” he reflected. “Though I didn’t work for him, I got to see firsthand his unique field-general, fearless-leader style of leadership. That was truly inspiring, and the level of respect he received from his troops and associates, coupled with the results he accrued, were awe-inspiring. Harold was smart, incisive, sharp, demanding, funny, fair and the essence of sartorial splendor at all times.”

Said veteran label exec Tom Vickers (who took the color portrait above): “A legendary figure in the success of A&M, Harold was loved by everyone who ever came into contact with him. A proud, lifelong Democrat, he and I hit it off when we first met up and I named JFK’s entire cabinet for him after I went to work at A&M in 1981. We became fast friends and spoke regularly as well as sharing lunches with [A&M colleague] Martin Kirkup throughout the years. Truly a one-of-a-kind character. I miss him so much already. And to all of you who knew and loved him, take a moment to remember this wonderful man.”

Donations in memory of Harold Childs may be made to the United Negro College Fund here.