Bob Shad

American music producer and record label owner.
Born: 12 February 1920 in New York City, New York, USA.
Died: 13 March 1985 in Beverly Hills, California, USA (aged 65).
Born Abraham Shadrinsky, Shad's career as a producer began with Savoy Records and National Records in the 1940s. In 1951, he was named director of Artists and Repertoire (A&R) at Mercury Records, where he founded the EmArcy label. He produced, among other jazz musicians, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Maynard Ferguson, The Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet (opens in a new tab), Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, & Quincy Jones. In February 1956, Shad became head of A&R at Mercury's Wing Records label.
Other notable artists Shad worked with over the years include Patti Page, Vic Damone, The Platters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Janis Joplin (Big Brother & The Holding Company), and Ted Nugent (The Amboy Dukes).
Among his labels were Time Records, Brent Records, Mainstream Records, and Shad. He also co-founded the labels Sittin' In With and Jax, with his brother Morty Shad.
He died of a heart attack and was buried in the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Father of Tamara Shad, grandfather of Judd Apatow and Mia Apatow, great grandfather of Maude Apatow.