Irving Green, co-founder of Mercury Records along with Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge, one of the most successful independent labels, has died at age 90 from natural causes. He is credited with helping to break down the colour barrier by promoting black artists such as Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and The Platters. He also hired Quincy Jones, the first Black American in the executive position ofVice-President of A+R.During his very successful career, he saw Mercury Records grow from a little 'indie label' into a major label. He worked with countless other artists including Phil Phillips and The Twilights, Brook Benton, Patti Page, Roger Miller, Leslie Gore, Blue Cheer, Keith, Jay And The Techniques, The Blues Magoos, Spanky And Our Gang, Crispian St. Peters, Bobby Hebb, and countless others.
After Mercury Records was sold to Polygram Records in the mid-1970s, Irving Green became a major land developer in both Iran and later Palm Springs, California.
What a legacy he has left behind!
