Phil Walden co-founder of Capricorn Records dies
Otis Redding signing a management contract with Phil Walden
Atlanta, GA. (4/24/06) Phil Walden, management and record company mogul has died at his home in Atlanta of lung cancer at the age of 66. Walden managed some of Soul Music's and Southern Rock's biggest stars into major success such as Otis Redding, Johnny Jenkins's Pinetoppers and The Allman Brothers Band. The debut and legend of Walden's Capricorn Records was established under a distribution agreement with Atlantic Records.
Walden's rock credentials were established riding on the back of Duane Allman's early guitar session work with Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Arthur Conley (see Photolog Archives October 10, 2005). With the release and success of The Allman Brothers Band's first three LP's along with album contributions from artist Wet Willie, The Marshall Tucker Band, Elvin Bishop Group, Sea Level and Jonathan Edwards, Walden's long run of record label success had just begun.
Walden's music business notoriety was an enormous influence upon the presidential bid of Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter's campaign into the White House in 1976. Years later Phil Walden relocated from Macon, Ga. to Nashville to resume his business only to meet with moderate success.
Walden is survived by his daughter Amantha and son Philip Jr.
posted by phillip rauls at 11:14 PM
10 Comments:
Nice to read the only piece of press that gives accuracy with Phil Walden being "co-founder" of Capricorn Records. The other co-founder and partner, who was instrumental in the labels success, is Frank Fenter...
Thanks for knowing to acknowledge him.
Nice to read the only piece of press that gives accuracy with Phil Walden being "co-founder" of Capricorn Records---The other co-founder and partner, who was instrumental in the labels success, was Frank Fenter...
Thanks for knowing to acknowledge him.
Very interesting mentioning Frank Fenter, I can not find a reference to that name anywhere.
Can you supply a source for this information?
Thanks in advance.
Simply google him or I would be pleased to forward you information about him being the co-founder of Capricorn Records, along with his very successful career at Atlantic Records.
Unfortunately, he paseed in 1983 whne he was just about to secure another deal for Capricorn with Mo Ostin's Warner Brothers when he died suddenly and then the deal did not happen, due to Frank Fenters reputation of knowing how to run a record label; He was Managing Director of Atlantic for Europe and that is when Phil and Frank dicussed the idea of starting a record label.
Great photos and someone who really does know the REAL story, as it looks like you were in the thick of it!
Did you know Frank Fenter? He was my father.
I also have some great photos of the him at Atlantic and Capricorn Records, which I would love to share with you. I knew you knew something when you were the only press to report Phil Walden as "co-founder". In fact, it annoyed me so much that only with the phrase "founder" on Phil's obituary that I called AP., Rueters, Billbaord, Rolling Stone to correct it, which they have done.
Love to hear your stories.
Best,
Rob Fenter
"Otis Redding, Johnny Jenkins's Pinetoppers and The Allman Brothers Band"
Do the Pinetoppers really fit with the other two? :)
Hi Rob, you are totally correct. And Kiki is your mom, right? I knew Frank well and my best friend Linda was his assistant at Capricorn where I worked in PR for 8 yrs also. A wonderful funny intelligent man. Went to see Carolyn in the early 80's and I asked her, how's Frank? She replied, "He's here." "Oh great," I said, "where is he?" Carolyn: "right here on the desk." I looked at her curiously and she pointed to an urn of some sort on her desk. "That's Frank there and he's with us every single day," she declared. A classic story and classy lady. Fond times at LeBistro too - always ordering the crowd favorite Creme de Phil Walden - crab corn chowder to die for! I remember you I think but you were very very young. Went to the house over there near Baconsfield in Macon - forgot the name of the street. A gorgeous house and a beautiful mom too. You have a wonderful legacy Rob. God Bless.
I was a good friend on Frank Fenter in London. My best friend grew up with him in the east end of Johannesburg before that. Worked with him in the days when he wanted to make films and be an actor. Have some great stories about his early acting exploits. He introduced me to the Beatles, who had a gig at the Hungry Eye in Soho, near a shop that Frank was working at. Then came Helen Shapiro and Percy Sledge. Many memories. Craig
Sorry about the Helen Shapiro bloop, meant Sharon Finkelstein. The friendship started with a Bill Kimber and the Couriers tour. I met Franks mom and dad. Dad was working as a baker in Quinn's bakery in Malvern, Johannesburg. Frank also used to box at the Malvern Gym. Helped when we worked for the Pleasant Peacemakers (bouncers) in London. Seawards
if the person who knew frank could cantact me that would be great!
id love to hear the stories..
best,
rob fenter
rob@intunetel.com
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