A Conversation with Gary Kurfirst, the Rock Hall Art Director of the Talking Heads, the Ramones, and the Pretenders
Stein, who co-founded Sire Productions as a precursor to Sire Records, was also responsible for signing notable music acts such as the Talking Heads, the Ramones, and the Pretenders, among others.
Stein, who helped found the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and was himself inducted into the Rock Hall in 2005, died of cancer in Los Angeles, according to a statement by his family.
Obsessed with the Billboard music charts since childhood, he was known for his deep knowledge and appreciation of music and would prove an astute judge of talent during the 1970s era of New Wave, a term he helped popularize, signing record deals with Talking Heads, the Ramones and the Pretenders.
“Seymour’s taste in music is ahead of the rest of the world, and always will be,” Gary Kurfirst, the manager of Talking Heads, told the Rock Hall.
His most lucrative discovery happened in the early 1980s, when he heard the demo tape of a little known singer-dancer from the downtown New York club scene, Madonna.
Madonna wrote that the man heard the music and asked her if he could bring her to meet his boss. It was fast enough to get out of my mouth.
He wrote that she was dressed in cheap punky gear and looked out of place in a cardiac ward. I wanted to tell her how I liked her demo, but she wouldn’t listen. ‘The thing to do now,’ she said, ‘is sign me to a record deal.’”
A Conversation with a Great Artist: Sidney Stein and his First Major Record Record, Everybody (with a Special Guest), Madonna
Sire artists also included Ice T, the Smiths, Depeche Mode, the Replacements and Echo and the Bunnymen, along with the more-established Lou Reed and Brian Wilson, who recorded with Sire later in their careers.
Linda Adler and Stein had a brief relationship, with whom Stein had two children: filmmakerMandy Stein and child cancer patientSamantha Lee Jacobs. Sidney Stein and his wife divorced in the 1970s and years later he came out as gay.
“I am beyond grateful for every minute our family spent with him, and that the music he brought to the world impacted so many people’s lives in a positive way,” Mandy Stein said in a statement Sunday.
The entertainer posted pictures of herself with the former Sire Records chief, writing in the caption, “He is one of the most influential people in my life.”
After explaining how she “stalked” a DJ at the famous New York City nightclub Danceteria, Madonna said she finally got him to play “Everybody” – the song that would eventually become her first single – which was heard by an “A&R man” from Sire Records.
“He smiled and laughed when he saw me and asked me if I was related to the Virgin Mary!” The singer wrote of the executive and said they would hit it off. I played him the song a few times. I was signed to his record label that day.
The star said she was weeping at the end of her speech. It’s impossible to describe the feeling I had at this time after years of hard work and being broke and getting slammed in the face. Anyone who knew Seymour knew about his passion for music and his impeccable taste.”