Tom Ayres, record guy, 67

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

Friday June 9 2:44 AM ET 

Tom Ayres, signed Bowie to RCA, dead at 67

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Tom Ayres, who brought David Bowie to RCA Records
and became a mover and shaker in the music industry, died May 30 in his
Shreveport, La., home at age 67.

Rock star Bowie pays tribute to Ayres in a yet-to-be-released documentary.

``David Bowie gives credit to Tom as the man who brought him to RCA
Records,'' said Rodney Bingenheimer, a Los Angeles radio personality and
Ayres' partner in the 1970s-era attraction Rodney Bingenheimer's English
Disco.

Ayres' role in Bowie's career also was noted in the biography ``Stardust:
The David Bowie Story,'' which recounted a time when Bowie lived with
Ayres in a mansion previously owned by actresses Lillian and Dorothy Gish.
The new documentary will debut in January at the Sundance Film Festival in
Utah.

Ayres, a Sabine Parish, La., native, worked for Hanna-Barbera Prods., ABC
Records, Columbia Records, United Artists, Kama Sutra Records, Buddha
Records and RCA Records, among others.

His busiest days as a producer were during the 1960s and '70s, when he
brought local talent -- including Victoria Williams -- to the attention of
peers in recording business.

``He's one of these guys that nobody has ever heard of, but the record
business wouldn't be able to operate without them,'' said Los Angeles
music writer Todd Everett.

Ayres produced the Dartells' early-'60s hit ``Hot Pastrami'' and played
bass in the Johnny Burnette Quintet.

He also worked with the Sir Douglas Quintet and with singers Ultra Violet
and Gene Vincent.

Reuters/Variety 




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