Steve Propas Dies

Steve Propas, 63, a music industry vet who co-founded Canadian label Solid Gold Records in the late ’70s and later found a niche in licensing and branding, died Aug. 2 in a Toronto hospital.

Propas worked with partner Neil Dixon for many years, managing acts including The Good Brothers, The Mighty Pope and Toronto before taking a position as senior VP for Koch International, where he negotiated international publishing deals.

In recent years, Propas set up shop on his own with Propas International Rights Management and Propas Management Corp., working with clients including Bachman & Turner, Nickelback and Smashing Pumpkins, among others.