Jerry Moss Co-founder of A&M Records Passed Away at 88

Jerry Moss, one of the co-founders of A&M Records along with Herb Alpert, passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Bel Air, California.

The news was shared by his family through a statement provided to the Associated Press. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. It reads:

“They truly don’t make them like him anymore and we will miss conversations with him about everything under the sun. The twinkle in his eyes as he approached every moment ready for the next adventure.”

A&M Records’ Notable Achievements

A&M Records, which Moss and Alpert established in 1962 using their initials, had an impressive run for over twenty-five years. They released several highly successful albums, including Carole King’s Tapestry, Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive!, and Alpert’s own Whipped Cream & Other Delights. The label featured artists from various genres like rock, pop, and more, including the likes of the Carpenters, Janet Jackson, Soundgarden, the Go-Gos, and the Police.

Born in New York City, Moss studied English at Brooklyn College. His passion for the entertainment industry led him to work as a promoter for Coed Records after a period in the army. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he became friends with Herb Alpert.

Alpert and Moss discussed the history of A&M Records and their favorite albums with Rolling Stone in 2012, during the label’s 50th anniversary celebration. In Alpert’s garage, the record company was founded with the intended goal of releasing Alpert’s “Tell it to the Birds” and Charlie Robinson’s “Love Is Back in Style,” which features a trumpet solo by Alpert. They produced these songs and found early popularity despite having few resources.

Their modest start blossomed into a substantial accomplishment when they sold the company to Polygram in 1989 for $500 million. Both Moss and Alpert remained with the label until 1993, signing artists such as Sheryl Crow during their tenure.

Tribute to Moss and Alpert

Sting inducted Moss and Alpert into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Sting described Moss and Alpert as “elegant, urbane, sophisticated, intelligent, and most of all, sensitive to the needs of fellow artists to such an extent that they became celebrated — not just for their success, but for the nurturing and encouragement of new talent with the patience and care that was unusual then, and even rarer now,” in his induction speech for them.

Reflecting on the label’s legacy, Jerry Moss emphasized their dedication to creating outstanding records. He underscored their commitment to doing whatever was necessary to ensure the excellence of their releases throughout the label’s fifty-year journey.