Harry Anger, Former PolyGram EVP, Motown COO, Dies At 84

Harry Anger

Retired music executive HARRY ANGER, who was an EVP at POLYGRAM and later COO at MOTOWN RECORDS, passed away at his LAS VEGAS home at age 84 after a two-decade-plus battle with leukemia.

The son of vaudevillians HARRY and MARY ANGER -- who performed as ANGER AND FAIR, the VILLANOVA graduate served as an officer in the U.S. NAVY. before launching his music business career at RCA RECORDS and ARISTA in marketing before becoming an EVP at POLYGRAM and COO at MOTOWN RECORDS. Well-liked for his good humor and no-nonsense advice, ANGER contributed to the careers of KISS, BOYZ II MEN, ERIC CLAPTON, DEF LEPPARD, BON JOVI and JOHN MELLENCAMP, among many others. 

ANGER was also an accomplished private pilot and an auto racing fan. He coached several LAS VEGAS high school and AMERICAN LEGION baseball teams.

Wrote former colleague CLIFF O'SULLIVAN on FACEBOOK: "Mentor, friend, father figure, confidant, tireless listener. Always available. HARRY was all of those things and more. He was a central figure in my life since the day we met in '86. 'Doc.' I'm going to miss your incredible sense of humor and deadpan sincerity. Goodbye my great old friend."

ANGER is survived by his wife of 36 years, PEGGY; their sons JAMES and JOHN: sons MARK, SCOTT, and daughters STACEY LEADEM and KELLY CAVANAUGH by a previous marriage; nine grandchildren; and his sister GAE BARON.

The HARRY ANGER MEMORIAL FUND for leukemia and cancer research has been created in his honor at the T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION. Donations may be made at www.tjmartell.org or by mail to T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION, 1114 17th Avenue South, Suite 102, NASHVILLE, TN 37212.

« see more Net News