Jerry Moss, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of A&M Records, passes away at 88

A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss has made an enduring impression on the music industry. The industry is in mourning over the loss of a visionary following his death at the age of 88. Moss had an unparalleled impact on musical genres ranging from jazz to rock and helped to develop artists like The Police, Cat Stevens.

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 17 August 2023 11:43 pm

Jerry Moss and Ann Moss at the UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Luminary Awards

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and co-founder of A&M Records, Jerry Moss passed away on August 16 at the age of 88, leaving the music business in mourning for the loss of a great visionary. Together with his colleague Herb Alpert, Moss made a lasting impact on the music industry by redefining the way music was created and distributed, influencing the careers of innumerable musicians.

According to a statement from his family, Moss passed away at home in Bel Air, California, of natural causes.

The statement continues, "They really don't make them like him anymore, and we will miss conversations with him about anything and everything."

With the release of hit albums like Carole King's Tapestry, Peter Frampton's Frampton Comes Alive, and Alpert's Whipped Cream & Other Delights, Alpert and Moss oversaw one of the music industry's most prosperous independent companies for more than 25 years. The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Janet Jackson, Soundgarden, Joe Cocker, Suzanne Vega, the Go-Go's, and Sheryl Crow all called them home.

Under Moss' direction, A&M Records developed into a shelter for a wide range of performers, covering genres from jazz and soul to rock and pop. Legendary performers on the label's roster included The Carpenters, The Police, Cat Stevens, and Janet Jackson. The success of A&M Records, which won multiple Grammy Awards and had a lasting impact on the music business, was made possible by Moss' sharp eye for talent and his capacity to identify distinctive musicians.

Giacomo, a horse owned by The Mosses and named after the son of A&M artist Sting, won the Kentucky Derby in 2005. In 2008 and 2009, Zenyatta, named after the Police album Zenyatta Mondatta, finished in second place before taking home the title the following year. Moss named another successful horse Set Them Free after a hit song by Sting.

Artists, fans, and business leaders are all considering Jerry Moss' significant influence as the news of his passing spreads throughout the music industry. Future generations will be motivated by his commitment to supporting artists' voices, cultivating talent, and embracing innovation.

Jerry Moss' incredible journey from helping to create A&M Records to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is proof of the music's enduring influence and capacity to change society. While he may have physically left us, his influence lives on through the melodies and rhythms that he helped create.