R.I.P.: Bob Garcia, Former Record Label Executive

Bob Garcia

Bob Garcia, former director of artist relations at A&M Records and West Coast president of the Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, died of natural causes at his home April 26, a week before his 82nd birthday.

After serving in the U.S. Army in the mid-1960s, Garcia moved to Los Angeles, working as a journalist in the fashion industry, and then a writer and editors for underground newspaper Open City. Simultaneously, he wrote criticism about the rock music scene; including reviews of Pink Floyd, Tim Buckley, Phil Ochs, the Fugs and the Mothers of Invention.

Garcia’s writing caught the attention of A&M Records, which he joined as a biography writer in 1968.  His subjects included Joe Cocker, Procol Harum, Cat Stevens, Murray Head and Jimmy Cliff as A&M started to build its significant rock music roster.  Garcia was quickly promoted to director of publicity; in that role, he created their artist relations departments and developed the college representative program.

Garcia was promoted to director of artist relations, a post that he held throughout his tenure at A&M. His ability to translate artists’ needs helped solidify A&M’s artist-friendly reputation. In many years on the road, Garcia developed long-standing relationships with many musicians, including Joe Cocker, The Police, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, Amy Grant, LTD and Jeffrey Osborne.

After leaving A&M in 1997, Garcia started his own music consultancy, Shedding Dog LLC. In this role, he served as an advisor and consultant to many artists and entities, including Michael Kamen, Neil Young, Lady Gaga, One Republic, and Blake Shelton, among others.

Herb Alpert, co-founder of A&M Records, said, “Bob Garcia worked at A&M Records for many years and without exception, was liked by all. Artists and employees admired his quirkiness and original personality that didn’t change with the times.  I personally appreciated his keen observations on music, and life as he saw it. I loved Bob.”