A memorial service was held Saturday night for Jerry Moss, beloved co-founder of A&M Records with Herb Alpert, who organized the event. Moss, 88, passed away in August after a vibrant life that went from massive success in rock and roll to triumphs in horse racing.
Rocker Peter Frampton came to pay tribute, his “Frampton Comes Alive” was on A&M and was one of the bestselling albums of all time.
The service for former employees was at Henson Studios in Hollywood — the home first of Charlie Chaplin’s production company and then A&M, which made dozens of superstars including The Police, Frampton, the Carpenters, Sheryl Crow, Carole King, Cheech and Chong, Cat Stevens, and others.
Alprt and Moss started the company together in Herb’s garage. Herb — a very young 88 years old and still touring — told the crowd that Jerry, “was a great man, friend and partner. I loved him immediately. He was kind, he was easy to be with, he was fun to be with.” Alpert added, “We never even signed a formal contract for the record company.” Then he quipped, “we did however sign one for the publishing company!”
Herb added that “I’m sorry that I’m here talking about Jerry being gone first.”
A slideshow presentation illuminated Jerry and Herb through the years with the artists and the people who worked there.. Other guests included Jerry’s son and music exec Ron Moss, longtime music industry veterans Martin Kirkup, Aaron Jacoves, Xander Smith (longtime tour manager for Herb), Jim Guerinot, Dayle Gloria, Mark Williams and more.
