LOS ANGELES (Top 40 Charts/ Recording Academy) - "As a GRAMMY-winning artist and one of the founding members of Pink Floyd, Richard Wright was an exceptional instrumentalist, whose distinctive keyboard style was essential to the musicality of this world-renowned band. He also scored films and recorded his own instrumental compositions and solo albums. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and fans at this difficult time, as we remember this influential musician."
Warren Wayne Brown - 1916-2008
Warren Brown passed away to be with the Lord on September 15, 2008 after a lengthy illness in Carlsbad, CA. His wife, Ruth, was at this side. He was born in Tower City, PA in 1916; he was the son of Ray and Hattie Brown.
Warren's life was filled with music, being taught at an early age by his father, then attending New York Military Academy majoring in music. He was a trombonist with his brother's band, Les Brown and the Band of Renown until he went into the Navy in World War II where he served for 3 years. Upon discharge, he entered the business end of music and joined Leeds Music in New York City. Because of his success as a "song plugger" finding hit songs for many artists and overseeing many educational projects for Leeds, he was transferred to California to open and head the Leeds Music office there. The company sold to MCA and Warren served as Vice President of MCA Music, Inc., later to become Universal Music, until his retirement in 1981. During his tenure, he found Strangers In the Night for Frank Sinatra, Girl from Ipanema for Antonio Carlos Jobin, and helped market in the USA the innovative music album Jesus Christ Super Star, Downtown by Petula Clark, and It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones.
Warren was married many years to his late wife, Marjorie, and they had a daughter, Teri, and a son, Bruce. In 1992, he married Ruth Cooper Stephenson.
Survivors are his wife- Ruth, daughter- Teri Brown, son-Bruce Brown, brother- Clyde "Stumpy" Brown and his wife Betty Jo, and his grandchildren. His brother, Les Brown, and Sylvia Thompson, his sister, predeceased him.
Contributions to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. Services are private.
Neil Portnow
President/CEO
The Recording Academy
