Canadian Music Industry Pays Tribute To Legendary Montreal Entrepreneur Donald K. Tarlton

The Canadian music industry is still mourning Donald K. Tarlton.

Tributes continue to pour out for the influential live music business icon (often referred to as Donald K. Donald or 'Deke' to his friends) since he passed away on April 13, at age 82.

A Billboard Canada obituary published last week explores Montrealer Tarlton's long and successful career as a multi-faceted entrepreneur who had a huge impact on the Canadian music industry.

Now, in the time since his passing, notable industry peers, work colleagues, artists whose careers he boosted, and young entrepreneurs influenced by his legacy, have all paid homage to the legend. They have shared affectionate tributes and colourful stories featuring Tarlton on social media and to Billboard Canada, and, in turn, we have decided to share a selection of them here.

One of Tarlton's longest and closest business relationships was with Terry Flood, who had a long stint (1969 to 1990) as president of Aquarius Records, Tarlton's highly successful independent record label. Contacted by Billboard Canada, Flood reflected upon their early years together and revealed some of the secrets of Tarlton's phenomenal success as a music business entrepreneur.

"Donald was born to become a major player in the entertainment business," says Flood. "His love of music, his natural ability to get along with anyone, his salesmanship, his love of the spotlight and the microphone and most of all his genius for the business. As a teenager he took over his best friend’s record hop as a DJ.. Shortly after he had a weekly radio show where he played the hits of the day. That lasted until the Beatles released their first single, 'I Want To Hold Your Hand.' Donald liked the song so much he played it 14 times in a row which ended his radio DJ career.

"Donald started booking local bands mostly into high schools. This is where I came into the picture in 1967. I had started a teenage discotheque, and Donald came by to sell me on booking bands in addition to just playing R&B records. No one can say no to a Donald sales pitch so we now had bands at Snoopy’s discotheque, which led to him offering to be a partner in the business.

"Luckily I agreed to what would become the best business decision I would ever make. I was now in for the ride of my life with Donald K. Donald. The next move for Donald was to become a promoter so we put a little money into booking a couple of up and coming British groups into small venues.

"Then Donald received the break he needed to get into the big time. The main promoter for major acts that would fill the Montreal Forum was Sam Gesser, who was used to booking acts like Frank Sinatra. However, with rock becoming big business, Sam was now promoting acts like Janis Joplin.

"Donald would often help Sam with the shows and was with him at the side of the stage for her Forum show. During the concert, Janis came to the side where Donald and Sam were and proceeded to throw up, splattering Sam’s nice suit and shoes. Sam turned to Donald and said 'This rock business is not for me. Please take it over.'

“This was all Donald had to hear. We didn’t have the kind of money necessary for the big time promoting business, but this was not going to stop Donald. He came up with a genius plan. He would approach the three Molson brothers who owned the Forum and the Canadiens and sell them on his plan. Donald would perform the duties of a promoter but instead of just paying a fee for the facility he would partner with the Forum on the show’s profits. The Forum would pay the artist advance and put the advertising on their account. After the show settlement, the profits would be split 50/50.

"This brilliant arrangement along with his genius. his salesmanship, his ability to relate to the artist, their management, the agents and his devoted staff propelled him to the top of the worldwide music business. He was certainly one of a kind and the best friend and business partner anyone could have. Rest in peace, Donald."

In 1990, Keith Brown took over from Flood as president of Aquarius Records. He offered this tribute to Tarlton to Billboard Canada:

"Working for Donald between 1969 and 2010 I think I can speak for hundreds of co-workers I encountered. Donald was the head of a family. For me, his departure was like losing an immediate family member and I believe countless others feel the same way. We were so lucky have encountered Donald Tarlton."

In an extensive interview with Billboard Canada, famed Canadian concert promoter turned New York city-based music merchandising mogul Norman Perry (head of Perryscope) reflected upon Tarlton’s impact on his life and career.

“There was no Perryscope if not for Donald and Michael Cohl [Concert Promotions International], " Perry states emphatically. “One of the most significant triggers in my life was meeting Donald and him bringing me into his world and letting me develop an identity in that world. I then left that world, but not permanently, then returned to forge a very major enterprise [Perryscope Concert Productions] with him and Michael that I’m still very proud of to this day.”

Perry was a Montreal-based 17-year-old when he entered the live music business, booking bands at his high school. He was recommended to Tarlton by Bob Rags [Ramaglia], later Corey Hart’s manager, and began working for DKD. “To be honest, I was rather the know-it-all and didn’t like the bands he had on his roster, but I got a job that went from being a gofer to a production manager and got heavily involved on the touring and promoting side of Donald’s business. Ultimately that led to my gaining enough confidence to leave and go to England.”

After a five year stint honing his chops across the pond, Perry returned to Canada and teamed up with Tarlton and Michael Cohl to launch Perryscope Concert Productions in Vancouver. “Michael and Donald jointly offered me that equity and allowed me to do it their way and my way at the same time,” says Perry.

With Perry, in close tandem with Riley O'Connor (now chairman of Live Nation Canada), handling Vancouver and Western Canada, Cohl and CPI in Ontario and Tarlton in Quebec and the Maritimes, this power cabal of promoters dominated the concert scene in Canada from the mid ‘70s onwards.

Perry got to see Tarlton work close up, and he offers some of the reasons for Tarlton’s immense success and influence. “Donald was a guy who was very set in his ways but he was still willing to learn,” he recalls. “He was a sponge. He was willing to see what was working elsewhere and apply it to Montreal and put a DKD twist on it.”

A fellow Montreal music industry veteran, Jim West (Justin Time Records, Wild West Artist Management) offered this tribute to Billboard Canada:

"Donald had time for everyone and answered every phone call. The deal was often done with a handshake and that was as good as gold. Donald’s legendary stories, many of which have been talked about recently, and usually at the expense of Terry Flood, were legendary. I remember often at the MIDEM dinners Donald would hold court and spend an hour or two telling one story. If you were lucky enough to have dinner with Donald the next night the same story would be told but a little more embellished than the night before.. he was simply the best.

"Other notable events: The story about Donald securing all those Altec Lansing speakers for the Rolling Stones speaker cabinets when the truck was blown up in the wee hours of the morning. I believe it was 1972. Donald even orchestrated a police escort for the speakers from the airport to the Montreal Forum. Another item that was forgotten were a couple of bottles of Napoleon Brandy for the group. In Quebec, in the early 70s, you could not purchase alcohol on Sunday. Well, Donald in his infinite wisdom turned to the Montreal police , and lo and behold they managed to secure two bottles within the hour. He will be sorely missed."

Jeffrey Remedios, president & CEO, REPUBLIC Collective and co-founder, Arts & Crafts, forwarded this tribute to Billboard Canada:

"I met Donald about twenty years ago at MIDEM in Cannes, when we were getting Arts & Crafts off the ground and building out the reach of our artists globally. He took an immediate interest. He was determined to find a way to work together. In hindsight, that says a lot about him. He trusted his instincts and he backed people early.

"At the time, I was working with Montreal’s brilliant Stars on what would become Set Yourself On Fire. It was an ambitious record and beyond our means to fund independently. Donald saw it clearly. He stepped in, and together we created Arts & Crafts International, which gave that seminal album the platform it deserved. It went on to be a defining moment for the band and a foundational one for us.

"What stayed with me most was what came next. Donald took me under his wing. I spent a couple of years in Montreal working out of his office, alongside Terry Flood and Matt Drouin. I joined their lunches, listened, and learned as Deke told stories from across decades in the business. There was a real generosity to him, with his time, his perspective, and his belief. He had high standards, but he gave you the confidence to meet them."

"He played a meaningful role in the early days of Arts & Crafts, but more importantly, he showed me how to think about building something that mattered. I am deeply grateful for that and for his friendship."

Toronto entertainment lawyer and founder of Last Gang Records, Chris Taylor posted this tribute to Tarlton on Instagram: "In September 2003, I went to Pop Montreal to see some bands and meet with some industry contacts. I had a new video from my band, Metric, for the song 'Parkdale.' The video and the song never saw the light of day but the spark for Last Gang was ignited when I met concert impresario, Donald 'Deke' Tarlton.

"I was getting ready to start Last Gang by myself but after Deke saw the Metric video he said, 'Taylor, you have great ears, but you don’t know anything about running a record label!' He was right. We shook hands on a partnership for Last Gang that year with Donald and his team providing vital marketing, financial and operational services. His partnership and friendship were instrumental to the label’s success. The world may have never heard of Metric, Death From Above, Crystal Castles, Mother Mother or MSTRKRFT if not for his creative and executive instincts.

"He saw something in me that very few others had recognized. It led me to eOne to Hasbro to Blackstone to the Hall of Fame. Along the way we had so many laughs and I got to spend time with one of the great industry legends of our time. From a time when a handshake was a bond and you never forgot to enjoy yourself along the way.

"Donald mentored so many people in our business. He helped invent the modern concert promotion business. He could tell a story like no other. My heartfelt condolences go out to Annie and his family and the many people he touched along the way. Never let the truth get in the way of a great story…Us Against the World!!....xoxo"

Samantha Pickard, a veteran Toronto music publicist and president of Strut Entertainment, had a long personal friendship and business relationship with Tarlton. She posted this tribute on Instagram: "Donald, there are no words to describe what you mean to me and what you have done for me. My past 25 years in Canada would never have been what they are without you in my life.

"Your incredible generosity, kindness, steadfast belief in me and your willingness to open every door to every business relationship that you had ensured that I had a fighting chance as an entrepreneur. The people I met because of you have become so important in my personal and professional life. You are the thread that binds us all. You championed me and my crazy ideas and dreams as you would your own daughter…I will miss you forever."

Toronto music industry legend Gary Slaight, to Billboard Canada: "Donald was a leader, a trailblazer and most importantly a person who connected genuinely with each and every person he met. I will remember him for his passion for championing Canadian music artists and his humour! When was it not fun to be around Donald K. Donald? He was one of a kind!!"

Derrick Ross, president of Slaight Music, to Billboard Canada: "I stand in a very long queue of those who were fortunate enough to have considered Donald a mentor, a supporter and a friend. Donald was an important part of DMD's early success, having us work releases coming from Aquarius Records. I will cherish the fun memories and am very grateful I spent time with a very special person."

Toronto music publicist (Bentertainment) and label executive Nanci Malek worked closely with Aquarius and Tarlton. She tells Billboard Canada that "Donald was a titan of the industry. Working with him for years taught me so much and I was very lucky to have such a mentor. I think back on that smile that was always present. He believed in his staff and in his artists and supported us through all the adventures.

"He made me his vice president of English Canada and he trusted me to launch Francophone artists into English markets, as well as artists such as Sass Jordan and the boys of Sum 41, amongst many others. The career that Donald had cannot be matched and his legacy will be remembered forever."

Ralph James, a veteran booking agent and senior vice president, Paquin Artists Agency, to Billboard Canada: “Donald was one of a kind – a phenomenal promoter who treated my band Harlequin like a headliner even when we were the support act. I had some truly memorable & fun times with him. He paved the way for so many people in the Canadian music business!”

Jim Henman, a founding member of hit Canadian rockers April Wine, on Facebook: "It is 56 years this month that the four naive young Maritimers in a band took off for Montreal and just look at it today, still going. One of the first men we met was Donald K. Donald (Tarlton) whose business booked April Wine for many years. Donald was the guy who brought all the big bands to eastern Canada and he and his business partner, Terry Flood, made it possible for April Wine to do what they did.

"This morning I woke up to see Donald has died.. Life goes on and on and on ...and the music does too. My lasting memory of Donald was him taking half my sandwich at a business meeting in his office in early '70s. I forgave him. You did a good job, Donald. Rest In Peace."

Ritchie Henman, a co-founder of April Wine, forwarded this colourful anecdote to Billboard Canada: "There are so many great Donald stories out there but I have a personal favourite. Donald and [wife] Annie became very good friends with the Stones as everyone knows. One Sunday afternoon Mick and Keith were in Montreal with a day off so Donald invited them to his house here in Dorval to hang out by the pool.

"At some point Annie announced they would be calling one of the show caterers to bring something for dinner. Keith asked if it was cool to have a peek in the kitchen. Annie said sure and a few minutes later Keith popped his head out the door to say he had found everything he needed to cook a spaghetti dinner. He got unanimous approval and went to work. Annie said it was one of the best spaghetti dinners she ever had.”

David Henman, another original member of April Wine, sent Billboard Canada this tribute: "Donald Tarlton, Donald K Donald, DKD, or Deke as we came to know him, was truly one of a kind. As members of April Wine in the spring of 1970, we first encountered the man at a nightclub called Laugh In, owned by DKD and soon-to-be April Wine manager Terry Flood.

"When we left Halifax early in the morning of April 1st that year, with $100 between us and a GMC window-van my dad bought for us, we had been told by our agent that he had spoken to DKD and that he was eager to meet us. We called 'the office' and were told that DKD would be at Laugh In for a big announcement. We arrived early, walked up to the bar and were told 'drinks are on the house.' We instantly thought that this was 'all about us.' We grabbed a table as people began to arrive."

"The 'announcement' turned out to be a proposal for a Woodstock-inspired music festival. Oh, well! We patiently waited for it to be over and suddenly there was Donald himself, walking down the middle of the aisle. As he got closer, I stood up and announced that we were April Wine. He seemed surprised, utterly unaware of who we were, but quickly suggested we call him on Tuesday, and off he went to schmooze.

"We did follow up, and he invited us to the office. As it turned out, it was our naivete that did the trick. We heard later that he marvelled to his staff that he couldn’t believe how green we were. In no time at all, we were touring all over Quebec, signed with Terry Flood Management and showing up at RCA Studios to record our first album. I have recently come to realize that Donald never, ever, interfered with April’s music in anyway. He believed in us, trusted us and just left us to do what we did.”

Montreal rocker Sass Jordan (on Facebook): " This man was a legend to me - and to countless others. The stories we all have about Donald … let’s honor him with our stories about him. He was my first ‘manager’ in the early days .. and his influence in my life was enormous. I love you, Deke. Deepest condolences to the Tarlton family. Annie, we love you."

Hamilton-based singer-songwriter Lindy Vopnfjord, to Billboard Canada: "Donald signed me to his label Aquarius and threw me on some pretty big concert gigs. Sad to hear that he passed away. He was an absolutely huge deal. Donald once told me after signing me that he once got offered a million dollars from Coca Cola for the use of Corey Hart's song, 'Sunglasses At Night,' minus Donald's commission, and Corey Hart refused. Then, after telling this story, Donald turned to me and said, 'You won't do that to me, will you?''"

Montreal rocker John Kastner (The Doughboys), on Facebook: "Montreal lost one of the good guys today. Donald K. Donald brought all my fave shows to town. I was lucky enough to work with him a few times. Nobody had better stories than DKD. He was old school in the best way. Rest easy my friend."

The National Music Centre, on Facebook: "We thank DKD for everything he gave to the Canadian music industry. His legacy will live on in every artist he championed and every stage he filled."

Longtime Toronto music publicist Joanne Smale, on Facebook: "Donald was one of the classiest, most unique and professional persons that I ever worked with in the music industry. He was one of a kind; always a joy to be a part of his team. His memory shall stay alive in the hearts of many who loved him."

Veteran Toronto music journalist Larry LeBlanc wrote an obituary of Tarlton for Celebrity Access. He tells Billboard Canada that "This was a hard news story to write because Donald was a friend for over 50 years. We had gone through so much together including a 5 hour video I did with him about a decade ago for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Toronto record label owner, NXNE head of domestic & international relations and artist manager, Brian Hetherman (Curve Music), on Facebook: "What a legend, an entrepreneur, and an industry builder who helped build the Canadian music industry, but mostly he was simply a very kind and passionate man. If he cared about you, then you knew it and felt it. Donald Tarlton was also in the hotel room the day that John and Yoko recorded 'Give Peace a Chance.'

"I am sure that many people will have great stories to tell about Donald, myself included. I never got to thank him for his gifts to me. I would have never left Universal to help set up Radio Starmaker if not for Donald, when I started my label his wisdom was infinite and I might never have made it through my time at Factor without him either. Deke, thank you for your kindness, your belief, your encouragement and for the inspiration. Your name showed up on my ticket stubs as a kid long before I got to know you but I guess you were always in my life in some way! Fly free my friend, there is much love to carry you on your journey."

Mike Renaud, owner of Hidden Pony Records, a label supported by Tarlton, on Facebook: "RIP to the greatest. Don't even know where to start when talking about this man's influence on me and the impact he made on my life as well as so many others. Let the tributes pour in for the one and only DKD."

The family has announced there will be a celebration of Tarlton's life and legacy at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a Canadian charity of your choice in his honour.