Arlene Reckson

Arlene Rae Reckson (born April 1947) is an American former Music Executive. She managed Record Plant Recording Studios East, from 1969 to 1973.

Reckson worked for John Lennon and Yoko Ono as a personal assistant and production coordinator including during the period known as the "Lost Weekend" and is featured on the inside sleeve of the Imagine album (1971). She later became the first female National Director of Artists & Repertoire for the British Label ATV/Pye Records in 1976.

Early years Reckson was born in Manhattan, New York to first-generation Russian-Jewish immigrants. She lived with her parents and brother on the Lower East Side until moving to the Bronx as a child where she graduated from Taft High School at the age of 17. Following, she pursued a degree from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and earned a "Special Recommendation" in the Mademoiselle Magazine College Board Guest Editor competition in 1966.

Career Reckson began her creative career working as a fashion designer for Italian and American brands, including La Piuma, and private labels for Neiman Marcus and Macy's.

1969-1983: music career In 1969, Reckson transitioned to a career in music production taking a nighttime receptionist role at Record Plant Recording Studios East, where she worked until 1973 and ultimately became Studio Manager. and The Raspberries.

In 1973, Reckson left Record Plant and worked as Personal Assistant to Lennon and Ono in both Los Angeles

Reckson went on to work in the Artists and Repertoire (A&R) division at Polydor Records, and from 1974 to 1977 worked in the American division of the British record company ATV/Pye Records where Reckson was named the first woman National Director of Artists & Repertoire for the British Label's American division.

"Imagine" On Sunday, July 4, 1971, Lennon and Ono arrived at Record Plant Studios looking to record a string section overdub of "Imagine." British histories of rock compilation LPs, including The Pye History Of British Pop Music: Best Of The British Invasion, The Kinks - The Pye History of British Pop Music, The Searchers - The Pye History of British Pop, and Donovan - The Pye History of British Pop Music.

"Kung Fu Fighting" Reckson arranged the U.S. mastering of "Kung Fu Fighting" for Pye Records in 1974, which was leased the single to 20th Century Records label for the U.S. release, the first such single for 20th Century Records.

Personal life While working as Personal Assistant to Lennon and Ono, Reckson developed friendships with May Pang and Cynthia Lennon –– together they have one daughter, Dakota Arkin.

Reckson resides in Amagansett, New York.