Bob Marcucci
Encyclopedia
Robert Phillip "Bob" Marcucci (February 28, 1930 – March 9, 2011) was a personal manager at Chancellor Records and Robert P. Marcucci Productions. He discovered and managed the careers of Fabian
and Frankie Avalon
, amongst others. The 1980 movie, The Idolmaker
, is loosely based on his life in the record industry.
One of his first signed acts was Frankie Avalon, but by the time Frankie had reached the age of 17, his appeal began to decline and Marcucci was in need of a new star.
His next act was his neighbor's 14-year-old son. Marcucci's neighbour had suffered a heart attack during which Marcucci had gone over to help. He spotted the neighbor's young son and after the father had recovered, inquired as to whether he would be interested in a career in music. Fabian initially declined before eventually signing on as Marcucci's next act. After two years Fabian bought out his contract.
He was the long-time manager of manager of Hollywood gossip columnist Rona Barrett
. He was co-producer of the 1984 version of The Razor's Edge
, starring Bill Murray
in a rare dramatic role. The following year, he produced A Letter to Three Wives for television.
, Ron Moss and Cheryl Powers through his production companies.
Marcucci died on March 9, 2011 at a hospital in Ontario, California
, of respiratory complications and severe infections.
Fabian (entertainer)
Fabiano Anthony Forte , known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.-Early life:Fabian was the son of Josephine and Domenic...
and Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.-Career:By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints...
, amongst others. The 1980 movie, The Idolmaker
The Idolmaker
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical drama starring Ray Sharkey, Peter Gallagher, Paul Land, Tovah Feldshuh and Joe Pantoliano.The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon and Fabian....
, is loosely based on his life in the record industry.
Early life and career
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bob Marcucci started in the music industry at age 25, as a song writer, after which he borrowed $10,000 from his father to launch Chancellor Records.One of his first signed acts was Frankie Avalon, but by the time Frankie had reached the age of 17, his appeal began to decline and Marcucci was in need of a new star.
His next act was his neighbor's 14-year-old son. Marcucci's neighbour had suffered a heart attack during which Marcucci had gone over to help. He spotted the neighbor's young son and after the father had recovered, inquired as to whether he would be interested in a career in music. Fabian initially declined before eventually signing on as Marcucci's next act. After two years Fabian bought out his contract.
He was the long-time manager of manager of Hollywood gossip columnist Rona Barrett
Rona Barrett
Rona Barrett is an American gossip columnist and businesswoman. She currently runs the Rona Barrett Foundation, a non-profit organization in Santa Ynez, California, dedicated to the aid and support of senior citizens in need.-Career and personal life:As a teenager, Barrett overcame a degenerative...
. He was co-producer of the 1984 version of The Razor's Edge
The Razor's Edge (1984 film)
The Razor's Edge is the second film version of W. Somerset Maugham's 1944 novel. The film was released in 1984 and stars Bill Murray, Theresa Russell, Catherine Hicks, Denholm Elliott and James Keach...
, starring Bill Murray
Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor and comedian. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live in which he earned an Emmy Award and later went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films, including Caddyshack , Ghostbusters , and...
in a rare dramatic role. The following year, he produced A Letter to Three Wives for television.
Later years
In his later years, Marcucci continued to manage artists such as Amy Dolenz, Michael T. WeissMichael T. Weiss
Michael Terry Weiss is an American actor best known for playing the title role in The Pretender.-Early life:Weiss was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father was a steel-industry executive and his mother was a homemaker. He has a sister, Jamie Sue Weiss, who became a make-up artist for television...
, Ron Moss and Cheryl Powers through his production companies.
Marcucci died on March 9, 2011 at a hospital in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
, of respiratory complications and severe infections.