Remembrance: Jerry Moss Passes Away
In the realm of the music industry, Jerry Moss, who passed away on August 16, 2023, at the age of 88 in Bel Air, California, left an indelible mark. Moss, renowned for his pivotal role in co-founding A&M Records with Herb Alpert in 1962, turned the label into one of the world's largest independent record companies.
Moss and Alpert built A&M Records from Alpert's garage into a powerhouse, signing iconic artists like Carole King, the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Supertramp, the Police, and Sheryl Crow. The label, which was sold to PolyGram in 1989 for $500 million, made its name on giving artists control over their work.
While Moss's direct involvement with UCLA is not widely documented, his impact on the music industry is significant. The Herb Alpert Foundation, co-founded by Alpert and his wife Lani Hall in the late 1980s, supports arts education, though it primarily focuses on the Los Angeles area.
Moss helped fund the Moss Scholars program at UCLA, providing full scholarships to art and music students. In 2019, he donated $1 million to establish a permanent endowment for the Moss Scholars program.
Moss's contributions to the music industry have inspired numerous artists and paved the way for future generations of musicians. By fostering a diverse range of musical genres and artists, Moss helped shape the musical landscape of the late 20th century. His success with A&M Records set a model for independent labels, influencing how artists and labels collaborate and grow.
A&M, under Moss's leadership, signed British rock bands like Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens, and Peter Frampton. His work on the Crests' doo-wop hit "16 Candles" in 1958 helped make it the No. 2 single of that year.
Moss entered the music industry after doing radio promotion for Coed Records. He was remembered fondly by those who knew him, including fellow musicians and industry peers, for his kindness and enthusiasm, with a "twinkle in his eyes as he approached every moment ready for the next adventure."
Moss was an empire builder, a devoted family man, and an old-school romantic. His legacy reverberates across UCLA, where the music community mourns his passing while celebrating his generosity and lasting legacy. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music supports undergraduates and graduate students studying musicology, ethnomusicology, global jazz studies, and music performance. The Moss Scholars program has supported international students of exceptional quality.
Master's student Yundian (Elle) Cao performed the Jaques Ibert Flute Concerto at the Eighteenth Annual All-Star concert with the UCLA Philharmonic. As we remember Jerry Moss, we are reminded of the power of music to unite, inspire, and transform. Moss's impact on the music industry and arts education will continue to resonate for years to come.
In honor of Jerry Moss's contributions to the music industry, his generosity extended to education-and-self-development through the Moss Scholars program at UCLA, providing opportunities for personal-growth in the arts and music. Despite his focus on music, Moss's legacy also includes promoting entertainment and learning, as demonstrated by his support for the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
