Donald Dempsey Dies

Veteran recording industry exec Donald Dempsey Sr. died at his home near Kissimmee, Fla., of an apparent stroke January 27th, his son said.

Dempsey, 73, served more than 30 years in the music industry, most of them as senior VP of CBS Records. He was credited with helping launch the careers of artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Dan Fogelberg and Merle Haggard, and was instrumental in the marketing campaign for Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which sold 40 million copies.

He also worked with The Clash, Culture Club, The Isley Brothers, and Luther Vandross, among others.