Gerry Bron English music producer and manager Date of Birth: 01.03.1933 Country: Great Britain

1. Jerry Bron: English Music Producer and Manager
2. Early Musical Career
3. Uriah Heep and Bronze Records
4. Approach as a Producer and Manager
5. Reformation of Bronze Records

Jerry Bron: English Music Producer and Manager

Jerry Bron was an English music producer and manager, known for his work with various artists in the music industry. He was born into a family of Eastern European Jewish descent, with his father being the renowned music publisher Sydney Bronstein, who later shortened his surname when he moved to England.

Early Musical Career

Jerry Bron initially started playing the clarinet and piano, but it wasn't until the age of 21 that he began to seriously study music. He then spent some time performing in orchestras before following in his father's footsteps and entering the music business at the age of 28. His father had initially started with distributing sheet music and later established his own publishing company, which eventually became known as Bron's Orchestral Service. Jerry's first client was the musician Gene Pitney, whom he worked for as a press agent.

Uriah Heep and Bronze Records

In the late 1960s, Bron became the manager of Uriah Heep, a British rock band. He played a significant role in the band's development by inviting Ken Hensley to join the group. In 1971, Bron founded the independent record label Bronze Records, which signed artists such as Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes, Colosseum, Osibisa, Manfred Mann, The Real Kids, Salli Oldfield, Motorhead, The Damned, Girlschool, and Hawkwind.

Approach as a Producer and Manager

Bron often took on the roles of both manager and studio producer, believing it to be the optimal combination. He considered passion to be the most important quality for a producer and determination for a musician, particularly highlighting the members of the "golden lineup" of Uriah Heep. He had the most enjoyable experience working with Uriah Heep, as he developed a friendly relationship with Ken Hensley. On the other hand, he found it more challenging to work with Manfred Mann and John Hiseman from Colosseum. Bron regarded "Easy Livin'" as his highest musical achievement as a producer.

Reformation of Bronze Records

In 2003, Jerry Bron reformed Bronze Records. The new label signed artists such as keyboardist Paddy Milner, flamenco guitarist GP Hall, and jazz musician John Altman. Bron was critical of the current practices of many producers, describing them as "terrible" for promoting mediocrity. He believed that an artist's initial development period should last around two years and cited the example of Kate Bush, whose debut album was eagerly awaited by EMI for two years.

Overall, Jerry Bron left a notable mark on the music industry, both as a manager and a producer, with a passion for his craft and a dedication to nurturing artists' careers.