Bob Jamieson, Former RCA Chairman, Dies at 81

Bob Jamieson, the veteran music executive whose career spanned nearly four decades, culminating in his stewardship of RCA Records, died Wednesday, eight years after suffering a stroke. He was 81.

An affable and highly civilized presence in an industry not always known for those qualities, Jamieson earned widespread respect during a trajectory that took him from promotion rep to the highest levels of the biz.

After graduating from Babson College, he started down his industry path in 1968 at Columbia Records, moving on to senior positions at Epic, CBS Records, PolyGram and BMG Canada.

But Jamieson's greatest impact came during his run atop RCA in the second half of the 1990s. Taking over a label that had lost momentum, he streamlined operations, revamped marketing and repositioned the roster, helping engineer a turnaround that restored RCA's competitiveness.

During that period, the label had success with the Dave Matthews Band, Christina Aguilera, NSYNC, Foo Fighters, Natalie Imbruglia and Robyn while benefiting from a distribution relationship with Loud Records that brought Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and Big Pun into the fold.

In 2002, a year after being named chairman of BMG North America by then-Chairman/CEO Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Jamieson became chairman of an expanded RCA Music Group, a position he held for three years. The later RCA roster included such acts as The Strokes. Jamieson also negotiated the company's first exclusive American Idol recording agreement.

Thomas Middelhoff, P!NK, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz and Jamieson (Larry Busacca/WireImage)

A lifelong record man with deep roots in promotion, Jamieson was known as much for the way he conducted business as for the results he achieved; he combined commercial instinct with uncommon diplomacy and, unlike many executives of his era, inspired genuine affection among colleagues, artists and competitors alike.

Industry veteran Jim Hampton, who first met Jamieson while working in Detroit radio during the late ’60s, remembered him as "truly one of the most beautiful people,” remarking, “Unlike a lot of people in the music industry, he was a total straight shooter and people loved him."

The Dave Matthews Band posted a tribute that reads, “Thanks for signing us to our first record deal. We were a long shot and you took it. We will miss, you brother Bob.”

Following his departure from RCA, Jamieson remained active in the business, continuing to be a valued adviser and mentor. His influence could be felt through the many executives he helped develop and the relationships he cultivated throughout the industry.

Jamieson is survived by his wife, Judy; children Cindy, David and Byron; and nine grandchildren.