Howie Klein, an influential executive at Sire Records and onetime president of Reprise Records, has died at age 77. He worked closely with such acts as Lou Reed, Ramones, Talking Heads, Green Day, Wilco, Alanis Morissette, and many others.
Klein passed away from pancreatic cancer, as reported by his sister Michelle via post on Facebook: “As most of my wonderful friends know my family has suffered another tragic death. My brilliant brother Howie Klein has passed away after suffering with pancreatic cancer for many many months. He had a truly amazing life and he lived it everyday. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and loved him. Good night to my dear brother.”
Klein started out as a host of a punk radio show on KSAN in San Francisco in the late ’70s, during which time he interviewed such acts as Iggy Pop, Devo, Sex Pistols, and others. He also helped launch “Rampage Radio” on KUSF around the same time, helping to put the spotlight on heavy metal and influencing a number of Bay Area thrash bands along the way.
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It was in San Francisco that and he and Bruce Bridges co-founded their own label, 415 Records, signing such acts as The Nuns, The Units, Romeo Void, and Translator.
He joined Sire Records in 1987, working with such acts as Lou Reed, Depeche Mode, Ramones, Talking Heads, and others. He later became president of Reprise Records, where he helped guide the careers of Green Day, Alanis Morissette, and Wilco, and was known as an artist-friendly executive.
Klein left Reprise after the Tim Warner-AOL merger in 2001, and his departure was immediately felt by Wilco, who were pressured by the new execs to rework their now-classic album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot over concerns about its commercial appeal. Wilco ended up getting out of their Reprise contract, and releasing the album via Nonesuch Records to worldwide critical acclaim.
Outside of music, Klein was an outspoken advocate of free speech and progressive causes. In 2000, he received the Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.
Our condolences go out to Howie Klein’s family and friends during this difficult time. An interview with him from April 2024 can be seen below.