George Goldner

George Goldner is one of those behind-the-scenes figures in the history of popular music, akin to Leonard and Phil Chess, Lew Chudd, and Art Rupe -- a record label owner and entrepreneur with a certain love of music and a knack for seeing it created. But unlike the Chess brothers, Chudd, and Rupe, lightning struck more than once in Goldner's life and career -- in fact, it kept on striking, over and over, with different companies and in a multitude of genres -- and rock 'n roll and all of us are all the richer for it.



Born in New York City, Goldner gave up an early career in the garment business to open a chain of dance halls. Goldner himself was a good dancer, and saw no reason not to pursue a career doing something he enjoyed, if there was money to be made at it. He was lucky enough to get in on the mambo boom, and had a special appreciation of Latin music, in part from having married a Latin woman.



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