Seymour Stein was one of the last of his kind: a talented music producer who trusted his ears. He discovered Madonna, The Ramones, The Smiths and many more who are now saying goodbye.
The US music mogul Seymour Stein died at the age of 80
It's stories like this that sound like they've fallen out of time: There's a music producer with myocarditis in the hospital bed, in boxer shorts and an undershirt, a cannula in his nose and a drip on his arm. This music producer is Seymour Stein. Stein's employee brought an unusual visitor to the hospital: a young singer. “She was all decked out in cheap punk clothes, the kind of club kid who was totally out of place on a cardiac ward,” music mogul Seymour Stein later wrote in his autobiography. This young singer was none other than Madonna.
And the “Queen of Pop” also remembers this weird moment that was to change her life forever. Following the news of Seymour Stein's death, she shared her part of the story on Facebook: “I had my giant boom box with me and was ready to play my cassette for him. He smiled when he saw me and asked if I could start with the Virgin Mary was related. That's when I knew we would get along,” the post says.
After Madonna played him her song “Everybody” several times, she took Stein on the same day signed to his legendary record label “Sire Records”. That was in 1982. “Seymour not only heard me, but also saw me and my potential. I will forever be grateful to him for that!”, Madonna continues.
Seymour Stein: Co-founder of the New Waves
The US producer was able to intuitively see and, above all, hear the potential that was about to break through like no other. He didn't bother with already well-known music greats, but was looking for young, new talent. So he not only discovered the Ramones, but also had the “who's who” of the new wave scene of the 1970s under contract: The Talking Heads, The Pretenders, The Smiths and The Cure. He is said to have coined the term “New Wave” after launching the “Don't Call It Punk” campaign to get rid of punk music's derogatory stamp.
The Talking Heads were also grateful on Facebook: “He was our champion. He fought bravely for us and remained loyal to us to the end.” Some people like Seymour might just spot a diamond in the rough. “He offered us a record deal after only seeing us once at CBGB and before we even felt ready.”
Shellac in the veins
Seymour Stein acted quickly. For the Depeche Mode signature, he is said to have taken an expensive Concorde flight from New York to London to hear the synth-poppers play in a club. When asked how he rose to become one of the most influential music moguls, his response was, “Hearing. Hearing is very important. If you don't have one, hire someone who does. For me, that was it.” never because I could never afford it. I had to do it all myself. I'm certainly not a bad businessman, but I owe my success to my ears.”
Born in New York in 1942, Stein had been interested in music since he was a teenager and got his first jobs at Billboard magazine and then at music agencies. When he was 15, his parents allowed him to spend the summers in Cincinnati, where he got a taste of the record business with rhthym-and-blues producer Syd Nathan. “He told my father I had to go into the music business. Otherwise I would be doomed because I had shellac in my veins.”
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Sad day for the music world
Seymour Stein had a wide range of musical tastes. In 1987 he signed the rapper Ice-T and later the metal band Body Count. “It's a sad day for me and for the whole music world,” posts the American Ice-T.
“A legend never dies,” adds Johnny Ramone, guitarist for the Ramones, on Facebook. Seymour Stein, who died of cancer at the age of 80, was more modest. He, who was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, doesn't think there are any geniuses in his industry, he told British daily The Guardian. “Maybe there are a few. Me I'm not one of them, I can assure you. I have good ears, I work hard and I love what I do. Don't make me any more than I am.”