Dick Rowe

Richard Paul Brutton Rowe (9 June 1921 was a British music executive and record producer. He was head of A&R (Singles) at Decca Records from the 1950s to the 1970s, and produced many top-selling records during that period. Known as "the man with the golden ear", Rowe discovered and signed the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Cat Stevens, the Moody Blues, Procol Harum, the Animals, and Engelbert Humperdinck amongst others. Known as being artist friendly and a true music lover he always wanted the best for talent sometimes putting him at odds with upper management.

He is historically presented in popular music history as the man who did not sign the Beatles. In Brian Epstein's 1964 autobiography, Rowe is quoted as having rejected them with the words: "Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr. Epstein", although he denied ever having said this.

In 1959, he left Decca to join Top Rank Records. There, he discovered singer Craig Douglas, promoted Bert Weedon – the first British performer to use the electric guitar as a lead instrument – and authorised the successful release in Britain of many American singles including those by Chubby Checker, the Ventures, and Freddy Cannon. He also supported the release of John Leyton's controversial "death disc" "Johnny Remember Me", produced by Joe Meek. However, the Beatles went on to land a recording contract with EMI/Parlophone and become the biggest selling and most influential band of all time.

Rowe subsequently signed several Liverpool bands and musicians to Decca, including Beryl Marsden and the Big Three. On George Harrison's recommendation, he also signed the Rolling Stones.

Rowe retired in 1975, and died as a result of diabetes in 1986 at the age of 64.

List of productions As a producer he had several number ones in the singles chart, and his discography includes: The Stargazers: "Broken Wings" released February 1953 ≠ Lita Roza: "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?" March 1953 ≠ Jimmy Young: "Unchained Melody" April 1955 ≠ Jimmy Young: "The Man from Laramie" September 1955 ≠ Dickie Valentine: "Christmas Alphabet" November 1955 ≠ Billy Fury: "Halfway to Paradise" (reached number 2 in 1961 in the UK) Billy Fury: "Jealousy" (reached number 2 in 1961) Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Diamonds" 1963 ≠ Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Scarlett O'Hara" (reached number 2 in 1963) Jet Harris and Tony Meehan: "Applejack" (reached number 4 in 1963) Engelbert Humperdinck: some tracks on His Greatest Love Songs Them: "Gloria" The Bachelors: "Marta" July 1967 (reached number 20) Neil Reid: "Mother of Mine" December 1971 (reached number 2)

≠ – UK number one hits

Legacy

Rowe's son, Richard Rowe, is a solicitor who went into the music business as a lawyer for CBS Records before becoming head of their business affairs. He was president of SonyATV Music Publishing (and made the deal to create a joint partnership with Michael Jackson to publish the Beatles catalogue at Sony/ATV when he ran the worldwide publishing division of Sony Music). Rowe spent the evening explaining to Jackson why this deal would transform the world of music publishing and give the artists power over their legacy. Jackson was interested, but asked for one more reason to sign. Rowe then admitted his father was known as the man who turned the Beatles down. Jackson agreed this was cruelly unfair and decided to sign the deal.