Irving Green
Encyclopedia
Irving B. Green (February 6, 1916 – July 1, 2006) was an American record industry executive, and founder and president of Mercury Records
.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was instrumental in promoting African-American artists such as Sarah Vaughan
, Dinah Washington
and the Platters.
In 1945, he founded Mercury Records, in Chicago, Illinois, along with Berle Adams
and Arthur Talmadge, and helped turn the independent outfit into a major label.
In 1962, Green sold Mercury to Consolidated Electronics Industries Corporation (Conelco) a U.S. Affiliate of Dutch electronics giant Philips
of the Netherlands but he remained Mercury Records' President. Green continued to run Mercury for five years after selling the company.
In 1964, Mercury Records became the first major record label to have a black high-level executive, when Green hired the trumpeter Quincy Jones
as vice president.
After leaving Mercury, he became a successful real estate developer who was active until shortly before his death. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park
in Cathedral City, California
.
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was instrumental in promoting African-American artists such as Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
, Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
and the Platters.
In 1945, he founded Mercury Records, in Chicago, Illinois, along with Berle Adams
Berle Adams
Berle Adams was a music industry executive, best known as second in command at MCA.-Early life:...
and Arthur Talmadge, and helped turn the independent outfit into a major label.
In 1962, Green sold Mercury to Consolidated Electronics Industries Corporation (Conelco) a U.S. Affiliate of Dutch electronics giant Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
of the Netherlands but he remained Mercury Records' President. Green continued to run Mercury for five years after selling the company.
In 1964, Mercury Records became the first major record label to have a black high-level executive, when Green hired the trumpeter Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
as vice president.
After leaving Mercury, he became a successful real estate developer who was active until shortly before his death. He is buried in Desert Memorial Park
Desert Memorial Park
Desert Memorial Park is a cemetery in Cathedral City, California, United States, near Palm Springs. It is maintained by the Palm Springs Cemetery District...
in Cathedral City, California
Cathedral City, California
Cathedral City is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 51,200 at the 2010 census. Sandwiched between Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, it is one of the cities in the Coachella Valley of southern California...
.