Warren Brown Passes on September 15th

Warren Wayne Brown

1916-2008

Warren Brown, renowned musician and publisher, passed away on September 15, 2008 after a lengthy illness in Carlsbad, CA. His music career encompassed the Big Band era as well as placing many of the century's most familiar tunes with artists like Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Petula Clark.

Warren's life was filled with music, being taught at an early age by his father, then attending New York Military Academy majoring in music. He was a trombonist with his brother's band, Les Brown and the Band of Renown until he went into the Navy in World War II where he served for 3 years. Upon discharge, he entered the business end of music and joined Leeds Music in New York City. Because of his success as a "song plugger" finding hit songs for many artists and overseeing many educational projects for Leeds, he was transferred to California to open and head the Leeds Music office there. The company sold to MCA and Warren served as Vice President of MCA Music, Inc., later to become Universal Music, until his retirement in 1981. During his tenure, he found Strangers In the Night for Frank Sinatra, Girl from Ipanema for Antonio Carlos Jobin, and helped market in the USA the innovative music album Jesus Christ Super Star, Downtown by Petula Clark, and It's Not Unusual by Tom Jones.

Warren was married many years to his late wife, Marjorie, and they had a daughter, Teri, and a son, Bruce. He was born in Tower City, PA in 1916- son of Ray and Hattie Brown.

In 1992, he married Ruth Cooper Stephenson who was at his side when he died.

Survivors are his wife- Ruth, daughter- Teri Brown, son-Bruce Brown, brother- Clyde "Stumpy" Brown and his wife Betty Jo, and his grandchildren... His brother, Les Brown, and Sylvia Thompson, his sister, predeceased him.

Contributions to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated. Services are private.