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Bill Gilliland
FYI
International
Obituaries: Toronto Record Label Pioneer Bill Gilliland, Global Music Trailblazer Dan Storper of Putumayo
This week we also acknowledge the passing of Sugar Hill Records owner Barry Poss, and top U.S. booking agent Dave Shapiro and former drummer Daniel Williams, who both died in a tragic plane crash.
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Bill (William) Gilliland, a Toronto record label head, producer and music entrepreneur, died on May 17, at age 88.
An official death notice called him "a visionary force in Canadian music. A true architect of the country’s music landscape, Bill’s career spanned more than four decades, shaping the sounds of generations and launching the careers of many iconic artists."
Gilliland first made a mark with Arc Records, a subsidiary of Arc Sound Company Ltd. that was established in Toronto in 1958 by Philip G. Anderson. Gilliland and Anderson co-founded Arc Records in 1959 and purchased the Precision Pressing Co. in 1961. Under the direction of Anderson, its president, and vice president Gilliland, Arc Records entered into a contract with US Hit Records and released a series of pop singles albums under the name Hit Parade (1963–64) that specialized in regional artists and tribute albums.
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Among the earliest Arc LPs were recordings by popular Newfoundland singers Omar Blondahl and Dick Nolan. Later releases, some for Arc's Caribou and International Artists labels, presented other Newfoundlanders, including Burt Cuff, Harry Hibbs, Gordon Pinsent, Ray Walsh and John White.
In 1969, Arc Sound and its subsidiaries came under the control of the Canadian-owned holding company AHED Music Corporation Ltd., to expand AHED’s guitar and amplifier manufacturing business to include music distribution. Arc and AHED ceased operations in 1986.
His official obituary reports that "Arc Records was one of Canada's first major independent labels. As Vice President of Arc, Gilliland had an uncanny ability to spot and nurture talent. Under his guidance, Arc launched the careers of numerous Canadian acts including Terry Black, Anne Murray, The Ugly Ducklings, and The Stitch in Tyme."
One of Gilliland's major early successes with the Arc label came in 1963 with the song "Oh Charlena," a hit for local rock 'n roll favourites Richie Knight and the Mid-Knights. A feature inFYI Music News noted that "this group was synonymous with the '60s 'Toronto Sound' and is reported to have become the first Canadian group to have a No. 1 hit, in 1963, on the then all-powerful CHUM AM hit parade. The song was 'Oh Charlena,' a cover first recorded by LA R&B band The Sevilles.
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"The Mid-Knights were signed to Arc Records by Bill Gilliland and the single (which would sell over 100,000 copies) was produced in-house by Ben Weatherby. There is a fascinating and informative account of the band's history and the particulars of this recording session here."
As his obituary notes, "In the '60s, with a vision for promoting the emerging rock scene, Bill co-founded Yorktown Records, which soon evolved into Yorkville Records. The label quickly became synonymous with Canada’s psychedelic and garage rock era, releasing standout acts like The Sugar Shoppe, The Quiet Jungle, Ronnie Hawkins and The Ugly Ducklings, whose single 'Nothin’' remains a landmark in Canadian rock."
Gilliland was often very hands-on with the artists he signed. For instance, when he saw a band in Halifax called The Untouchables, he was so impressed with their original songs he signed them to Yorkville Records and brought them to Toronto. He re-christened them The Stitch In Tyme and, as reported here, "the members began living in and amongst the flourishing Yorkville Village scene and within a year the band was one of the most popular acts in Toronto."
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Gilliland had a major part in other Canadian hit records in the '70s. He promoted singer-songwriter Bill Amesbury, whose 1974 single 'Virginia (Touch Me Like You Do)' became an international hit. The song was the first Canadian single released on the newly-formed Casablanca Records in the U.S. and reached No. 5 in Canada.
His obituary notes that "as a hands-on producer and strategic thinker, Bill took chances where others hesitated. In a famous anecdote, he made a friendly bet with music mogul Neil Bogart, recording a cover of 'Tell Laura I Love Her' under the alias Johnny T. Angel — a playful act that resulted in a charting single on Billboard."
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One moderate hit that Gilliland was involved with and that had a fascinating back story was "Get Back John," recorded by The Inner City Mission and released in 1970 on his Yorkville label, one that followed on from Arc Records. The track had its origins with news that John Lennon and Yoko Ono were planning a peace and music festival near Toronto. Lennon had promised to return to the city to help organize it in early 1970, but when he hadn't shown up, his frantic fans began calling CHUM begging the station to urge him on.
As reported in FYI, "Toronto songwriters Richard Gael and Pat Riccio Jr wrote 'Get Back John,' then chose six singers from the Toronto cast of the rock musical Hair (Wayne St John, Terry Black, Brenda Russell, Colleen Peterson, Toni Lark, and Laurel Ward) and took them into the studio to produce a record Gilliland’s Yorkville label (and Kama Sutra in the U.S.).
"The record was released under the group name The Inner City Mission. It debuted on the CHUM chart on April 11 and in two weeks hit #20. Unfortunately, the rumours the festival may not happen proved true so 'Get Back John' was dropped from the chart."
Always keen to offer advice to artists, Gilliland once suggested to a young Neil Young in Toronto that he should go to California, a milestone move in Young's career. As his obituary states, "colleagues in the Canadian and International music communities will remember Bill Gilliland's passion, generosity, and sharp instinct for the next big sound."
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That was reinforced by the tributes that have been posted on social media and offered to Billboard Canada by fellow veterans of the Canadian music industry.
Toronto music journalist Larry LeBlanc, now senior writer at CelebrityAccess, befriended Gilliland in the '60s. He tells Billboard Canada that "My first encounter with music industry realpolitiks, and the realization that not all Canadians are laid-back, came in the mid-'60s when I first met Bill, working then as VP at Arc Records in Toronto."
"It was a roaring, rambling music era in Canada when, prior to CanCon regulations, indies fought it out with the multinational major labels to secure Canadian artists. Bill was a key promotional force at Arc/Yorkville Records as he bolstered the likes of Catherine McKinnon and her sister Patricia, as well as Anne Murray, Terry Black, Ronnie Hawkins, the Abbey Tavern Singers, Dublin Corporation, Harry Hibbs, Richie Knight and the Mid-Knights, The Travellers, Stitch N Tyme, Ocean, Bill Amesbury, the Ugly Ducklings, and a slew of compilations from CBC-TV’s Don Messer's Jubilee and Singalong Jubilee.
"In 1969, Billboard magazine called Arc 'one of Canada’s most successful Top Forty producers, reportedly scoring more major market chart successes over the past few years than all other labels combined, excluding those produced for the French-Canadian market.'"
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Toronto music historian and author Nicholas Jennings posted this tribute on Facebook: "Sorry to hear that veteran Toronto music entrepreneur Bill Gilliland has passed away. Bill played a key role in the early days of our music scene, championing artists and getting their music heard — much of it on his own record companies like Arc. His Yorkville label logo appears on the cover of my first book. Bill was a gifted storyteller with a wry sense of humour and will be missed. I hope one day his memoir gets released."
Canadian music industry figure Randy Lennox (now of Loft Entertainment and Departure) sent Billboard Canada this tribute: "Bill was a driving force and a true music pioneer! Before it was fashionable, over 50 years ago, Bill was involved in everything from his own artist music label where artists such as Anne Murray had their beginnings, to Music TV marketing (AHED), to his own record manufacturing plant with Precision. An independent spirit that certainly made a tremendous impact on the early days of the business in Canada."
Canadian radio legend David Marsden (CFNY) reminisced to Billboard Canada that "I originally met Bill Gilliland when he hired me to produce a series of commercials for one of his labels. As so often happens when Bill is involved, we quickly became friends. He was a man of great talent in the areas where it was most needed in his position as a company leader. He had a dynamic sense of humour that would send a group into non-stop laughter, while pissing off one or two.
"Billy G and I had so many wonderful moments. Both at the work level or over a friendly lunch. In fact - the last lunch I had with him was with David Farrell about a year ago. The lunch ended with the two of them debating who should pay, when Bill had already paid while pretending to leave the table to use the washroom. That was Billy G. I, like so many others, will miss him greatly. And so I say - Good Night Dear Bill. Godspeed.."
Canadian broadcaster J. Robert Wood, former general manager of CHUM-FM in Toronto, sent this tribute to Billboard Canada: "The worst thing about old age is the loss of good friends who go before you. Bill was more than a good friend, he was a powerhouse at promoting new records from Arc. But instead of calling, writing or bringing new releases to the station, he used unconventional means to ensure favourable consideration for his records.
"For example, in 1972, it was Bill who had rented a room at the Inn on the Park so we could watch – IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY – Canada defeat the Russians and take the series in the Canada-Soviet 'Summit Series' in Moscow. Some years later, at a radio and records convention on Whistler Mountain, he invited me to join him on a small plane he had rented for a flight through the Rockies. Flying through the mountains and valleys of the Rockies was one of the most memorable and extraordinary experiences I’ve ever had. Talk about breath-taking scenery!
"Still later, when we were producing a music documentary about the Beatles, it was Bill who helped us in the effort to secure an interview with a member of the Beatles. The interview was one of the reasons why stations in more than 100 markets in Canada and the USA broadcast the program. That’s the kind of friend Bill was. He was brilliant, and one of the best friends one could ever have."
Veteran Toronto radio executive and consultant Dave Charles sent Billboard Canada this tribute: "This is a sad one to write. Bill Gilliland, David Farrell [the late founder of FYI Music News] and I were long time ‘mates’ and would often have dinner at Bill favourite spot, GRAZE on Yonge Street. It was like going to CHEERS in Boston…everybody knew Bill’s name and welcomed him with a tall glass of Chardonnay and the daily specials. I often felt like this place was Bill’s stage and everybody wanted to hear his stories and join in the fun. We had so much fun there and Bill loved that.
"Let me pay tribute this way… Bill truly loved and believed in the business and artists he developed on his Yorkville Record label. They were like family to him. He loved tracking his artists' music on radio. When I was music director at 1050 CHUM, Bill would often call to see how his music was doing. For such an outgoing and gregarious person he was very private. An introvert/extrovert all at the same time.
"Bill was pissed off with the lack of industry press on his artists. He often criticized their lack of support. He declared that he was going to write a ‘tell all’ expose book on what he experienced at Yorkville Records and name names. This book was never published. If you knew or spent any time with Bill Gilliland, you were happier and richer for it. RIP dear friend. Irish eyes are smiling on you!"
Richard Huntley (The Beautiful Music Company), a famed U.S. record marketer, sent this reminiscence to Billboard Canada: "Our respective companies operated in the Special Marketing area of the traditional music business. Bill’s success centered in Canada and mine in the United States.
"Stars and hits crossed our borders and we worked on many projects together for many years. Unlike traditional retail our sales were generated through heavy television promotion. Bill had an innate sense for talent and repertoire. His sensibility to the tastes of the music loving public was uncanny and his ability to negotiate and persuade major labels to provide the music we needed was wonderful to witness.
"Bill's reputation for high volume sales and honesty opened so many doors not just in North America but in Europe as well. His sales often surprised and amazed the traditional music business with many Gold Album sales. Truly a master at his craft. Bill will be missed."
On Facebook, noted Toronto record label head Peter Burnside posted that "Bill was a huge help when we started Pacemaker. Spent many afternoons with him and David Farrell at the Auberge on Yonge. Likewise, I hope that the NDA he signed on the memoirs is due to expire. He had a ton of stories!"
International
Dan Storper, CEO & co-founder of Putumayo World Music, a groundbreaking U.S. record label, died on May 22, at age 74.
Jacob Edgar, founder of the label Cumbancha and Storper’s longtime friend and colleague, shared a heartfelt statement with Billboard Español: “Just three days ago, I posted birthday wishes to Dan Storper, the founder of Putumayo World Music and my colleague and friend for nearly 30 years. I knew then that Dan was in his last days, but I couldn’t imagine a world without him."
Billboard reports that "Edgar began working with Storper in 1998 after being offered what he called 'the dream job no one could dare dream of.' He described the late visionary as "an exceptional human. Funny, energetic, passionate, micromanaging, and compulsive. A workaholic to the extreme. He could drive you crazy, but you loved him anyway because his heart was in the right place, and he was a good soul.”
Putumayo was originally launched in the 1970s in New York as a store selling handcrafted goods and musical finds from Storper's international travels in Latin America, Africa, India, and beyond. The shop gradually shifted its focus to music, and, by 1993, it had transformed into Putumayo World Music, a record label dedicated to curating global sounds for a wider audience, co-founded by Storper and Michael Kraus.
Billboardnotes that "The label became an international success, celebrated for its uplifting and culturally diverse compilations. Known for its signature brightly illustrated album covers and expertly sequenced playlists, Putumayo invited listeners to embark on musical journeys across continents, introducing many to the rhythms, traditions, and languages of faraway lands. Storper’s leadership helped bridge cultural divides through the universal language of music."
In an interview with Billboard Español in 2023, Storper reflected that "I look back with a certain measure of pride at the fact that we’ve really introduced so many people to music that they were not familiar with — whether it be Latin, African, Caribbean, European, and more."
Such famed musicians as Carlos Santana, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Doc Watson and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee have been featured on these Putumayo collections.
This April, Storper and Edgar donated their shared archive of 37,000 CDs — a collection built over more than 30 years — to the Harvard Music Library and the ARChive of Popular Music.
Such major Canadian Celtic and world music stars as Loreena McKennitt, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, Mary Jane Lamond, Amanda Martinez and Oscar Lopez have been featured on Putumayo releases. The work of Storper and his label has long appreciated across Canada by a large audience of music lovers.
Putumayo launched in Canada in 1997 via a launch party at Toronto musical hub, The BamBoo. Organizing that event was veteran Toronto music publicist Joanne Smale, who tells Billboard Canada that "David Hazan was working with Dan and Putumayo World Music as SVP of Marketing. They were based out of New York and it was time to launch the label in Canada. What better spot than The BamBoo, a landmark restaurant and nightclub in Toronto.
"Actually, the label and the Queen Street West stomping ground are both known for their celebration of cultures through music and vibrant art (Barbara Klunder/Nicola Heindl) – very cool indeed. The Putumayo River of music then flowed across Canada, finding another home within the global community.
"Very special indeed. It’s been an honour and a grand memory for Joanne Smale Productions to have been a part of the history. The planet loves his visionary music and respected his community involvements. I always wished him a Happy on May 20th – he was a 'cusper' Gemini and I am a ‘cusper’ June 20th; we bookended the third astrological sign of the zodiac. Dan – waiting for that book of yours. Peace & love to the family."
Former SVP of marketing, Putumayo World Music, David Hazan told Billboard Canada that "Dan Storper introduced more music fans worldwide to great music from other cultures than anyone else of his era. It would take the passing of a generation when streaming services enabled all music to be instantly accessible for the world to catch up with his vision that great music transcended borders and brought people together. Today's mainstream successes of afrobeat, Latin trap and reggaeton validates what Dan understood decades ago, even if these genres are edgier than the 'guaranteed to make you feel good' promise that appeared on every Putumayo collection.
"When Dan hired me straight from VH1, he offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to help build the world's dominant global music brand. Our first international label launch after I joined was in Canada at the BamBoo in Toronto, supported by Joanne Smale PR and Dominique Zgarka's team at Koch Distribution. Riding early surges in Celtic and Cuban music, starting in Canada and through many consecutive Midems, we developed a unique launch blueprint, equal parts strategy and grassroots, that we successfully rolled out to more 60 countries.
"Dan's legendary end-of-day listening sessions, where he invited the entire company to weigh in on every song he was considering for upcoming compilations, made us all feel we had a stake in every release."
Dan was a true visionary with a big heart. Relentless, indefatigable, and eternally optimistic, he never got old, and never even seemed to slow down. In his final email to me ten days ago, he assured me he was 'still working on Putumayo albums.'
There will never be anyone remotely like Dan Storper. He touched so many and changed how the world listens. He will always be remembered and deeply missed by so many of us."
To Billboard Canada, Toronto music promoter Derek Andrews reports that "Dan Storper was a bit of a genius in the alternative marketing of world music CDs. His Putumayo project was super innovative, breaking away from retail stereotypes and in doing so, converting mainstream folks to be fans of unknown music from around the world. He was a bohemian hippie capitalist, jovial, fun-loving and a focused survivor of the music trade. Sadly he did not survive cancer and we have lost a music champion with his passing."
Barry Poss, the Canadian-born co-founder and longtime owner of esteemed U.S. roots music label Sugar Hill Records, died on May 13, at age 79, of complications of multiple myeloma.
In its obituary, Billboard reported that "Sugar Hill Records emerged as a home and championing label for numerous artists in bluegrass, Americana and roots music."
In its extensive obituary, Bluegrass Todaywrote that "Poss, a native of Brantford, Ontario, didn’t have much experience with traditional mountain music until he headed south to North Carolina to study sociology at Duke University. While finishing his studies, a chance visit to the Union Grove Fiddlers’ Convention about two hours west of Durham where he was living proved a turning point in his life.
"The music captured the young man’s imagination, and he left Duke and a completed masters program to work for County Records in Virginia in a graphic arts position. Poss worked for County and Rebel Records in Roanoke, VA, and he formed the then new Sugar Hill Records with Dave Freeman, in 1978. In 1980 he took full control of the company, and moved it to Durham, where he operated the label until it was sold in 1998 to Welk Music Group. It is now controlled by Concord Music, the owners of Rounder Records."
"During his tenure, Poss introduced a great many now top artists through Sugar Hill, including such stellar names as Chris Thile, Nickel Creek, Ricky Skaggs, Boone Creek and many others. During his tenure, Sugar Hill collected five Grammy awards for Best Bluegrass Album, something that has continued for the company since his departure.
Landmark Sugar Hill albums included Ricky Skaggs’ Sweet Temptation in 1979, prior to his superstardom. Other influential bluegrass artists who recorded with the label included Doc Watson, The Seldom Scene, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Tim O’Brien, Hot Rize, Jerry Douglas, Dan Crary, Bryan Sutton, Doyle Lawson, Peter Rowan, Byron Berline, The Del McCoury Band, and many others.
Sugar Hill also released country, folk and Americana albums by such significant artists as Connie Smith, Lee Ann Womack, Willie Nelson, Sara Evans, Wanda Jackson The Red Clay Ramblers, Sarah Jarosz, Cathy Fink, Dirk Powell, Chris Hillman, Robert Earl Keen, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Darrell Scott. "
Bluegrass Today wrote that "What Barry built, with a sterling team of music professionals, was an independent label of consequence in a crowded market. There have been few like it."
Funeral services have been held. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made either to Beth El Synagogue, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, or any charitable organization you might choose in his name.
Dave Shapiro, a co-founder of U.S. music agency Sound Talent Group, died on May 22, in a San Diego plane crash, at age 42. Drummer Daniel Williams was also killed in the crash.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends,” read a statement released by STG on Thursday afternoon. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.”
Shapiro's agency's artist roster included leading Canadian punk bands Sum 41 and Silverstein, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley told the Associated Press that Shapiro helped build the rock band back up during a “low point” in their career.
"His opinion mattered so much to me,” Whibley said. “He was that guy I would go to for advice on things.” During their last conversation, Shapiro had flown out in his new plane to see the pop-punk band’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in March.
“We lost one of the best people ever,” Shane Told, vocalist for the Ontario post-hardcore band Silverstein wrote on Instagram. “I watched Dave go from drummer and merch guy to entrepreneur and one of the most important people in the industry. But along the way he was first and foremost a friend.”
A Billboard obituary reports that "Shapiro launched STG in 2018 with Tim Borror and Matt Andersen following successful careers at the Agency Group and United Talent Agency. His roster includes Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, I Prevail, Set it Off, Story of the Year, Silverstein, Parkway Drive and Eve 6. He also operates the Velocity Records music label, whose roster has included Thursday, Concrete Castles and Craig Owens."
Shapiro grew up in upstate New York in the straightedge hardcore scene. He was also an avid pilot with more than a decade of flying experience and was the owner of Velocity Aviation, through which he offered pilot instruction. Known around the music industry as an adventurous spirit, Shapiro’s aviation website describes his thrill-seeking lifestyle and pursuit of adrenaline.
Billboard notes that "Besides aviation, Shapiro was a lifelong supporter of independent music and hard rock, punk and indie acts that didn’t fit within music’s mainstream. With the launch of STG, he and his partners paved the way for the launch of nearly a dozen independent agencies in the years that followed."
A second victim of the crash was Daniel Williams, 39, a former drummer for the American metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. The band confirmed the news with an Instagram post on Thursday, with the caption: “We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Williams was a founding member of the band, which formed in 2005. He left the band in 2016, and began working for the American tech company GoPro. Just one week before his death, he accepted a software engineering role at Apple.
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