Al Green (record producer)

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Albert Green (also known as A. B. Green) was an American record industry executive, and founder and president of National Records.

Albert B. Green
Born
Chicago, Illinois, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationRecord producer
Known forFounder of National Records
SpouseSylvia Langler
ChildrenIrving Green

Biography

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Green was born in Chicago where he worked as a union organizer for the Painters Union.[1] He moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey where he owned a plastic pressing plant.[2] During World War II, his factory switched from producing toilet seat covers to producing plastic records - which had previously been made from shellac.[2] Seeing that the real money was in producing records and not knowing anything about the business, he hired Sylvia Langler (later his wife), who had experience in the industry.[2] In 1944, he founded National Records[2] and hired Herb Abramson, a friend of his wife, as his A&R man. As the business grew, he brought in more A&R men including Lee Magid, Bob Shad, and Jesse Stone.

Personal life

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He married his secretary, Sylvia Langler.[1] His son is Irving Green.[3] He was of Jewish descent.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Rebecca, Kobrin (August 20, 2012). Chosen Capital: The Jewish Encounter with American Capitalism. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 9780813553290. Magid's description also makes clear that for tough, enterprising Jews like Green, label ownership capped the difficult climb out of the ghetto...
  2. ^ a b c d John, Broven (11 August 2011). Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers. University of Illinois Press. p. 61. ISBN 9780252094019.
  3. ^ "Al Green, father of Irving Green of Mercury and founder of National Records, is seriously ill at his home in San Francisco". Billboard. August 21, 1961.