The music industry is mourning Tony Hall, the producer, label executive, writer, publisher, manager and DJ, who passed away on Wednesday (June 26), aged 91.
Hall’s incredible 65-year career began as a jazz critic and booker at legendary London jazz venues such as the Flamingo and the Feldman Swing Club (which became the 100 Club). He also produced many jazz albums, co-hosted the groundbreaking TV series Oh Boy, DJ-ed on Radio Luxembourg and was a promotions executive at Decca Records, amongst numerous other roles.
At Decca, he helped break acts such as the Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner and The Ronettes. When he left Decca in 1967, he formed his own promotions company, Tony Hall Enterprises, set up music publisher Brampton Music and managed acts such as The Real Thing and Loose Ends.
Hall (pictured, with Cliff Richard), who passed away after a period of illness at home in Brighton, remained active in the industry until recently, continuing to write reviews for Jazzwise.
Peter Robinson, founder of Dome Records and former CBS, RCA and MCA executive, hailed Hall as “a uniquely gifted record man and a lifelong lover of jazz and soul music. We are unlikely to see his like again”.
Music Week extends its deepest condolences to all of Tony Hall’s family, friends and colleagues.
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