John Bromell, former Managing Director for Warner Chappell Publishing and Rondor Music in Australia, has died in Coffs Harbour at the age of 71.
John was driving on this afternoon (August 31, 2013) when he crashed his car. It is believed that he may have suffered a heart attack.
He will be remembered as one of the true nice guys of the Australian music industry. Friend Robert Rigby, founder of the Ambition Music Group was with John at the Gympie Muster only last week. “He was in fine form,” Robert said. “Quite a legend in the music publishing world for many years at Warner Chappel Music Publishing. A great music industry character. He told me he signed something like 60 top ten acts in his time in the publishing business. He signed many, many great artists and took a chance of them and had a great eye and ear for talent”.
One of the acts John signed was Cold Chisel. He signed them to a three-year deal on a handshake for $750. “We ran in to Don Walker at the event. He had stories about everyone we met. Amazing!” Robert said. “He told so many funny stories last weekend I kept saying ‘God John there is a book in you about all this’. I just wish he had written some it. He was amazing”.
John ran Warner Chappell Music from 1982 to 1997 and prior to that was Managing Director of Rondor Music from 1975-1982.
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