Ron Fair blind

FAIR PLAY: Look for former IGA exec and producer Ron Fair to reenter the major-label sector as a top executive in the near future. The L.A. native worked as a recording engineer and soundtrack coordinator prior to landing A&R gigs at RCA, Chrysalis, Island, London and EMI; he returned to RCA in 1993, where he discovered and signed Christina Aguilera. In 2001 he ascended to the presidency of A&M, a post he held for five years before becoming Chairman of Geffen Records. While at IGA, he produced such #1 hits as the quadruple-platinum Aguilera-Pink-Mya-Lil’ Kim delicacy “Lady Marmalade,” Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love.” Most recently, he served as A&R consultant/producer (alongside promo consultant Richard Palmese) at Front Line Management, reporting to Irving Azoff. Fair has also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, presumably because it was there. (1/10a)