Remembering ‘Dickie’ Kline
• Richard Allan “Dickie” Kline, pioneering record industry executive whose skills in promotion and artist relations were instrumental in breaking some of the biggest names in rock, R&B and pop from the 1950s through the ’80s, died November 3 at the age of 82.
Affectionately known as “Dickie” to friend and business associates, Kline’s four-decade career reached its zenith when he served as a Senior Vice President of Promotion at Atlantic Records, working with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Yes; Led Zeppelin; Genesis; Eric Clapton; Bette Midler; The Spinners; ABBA; Roberta Flack and newly signed band Foreigner in 1976. He was also critical to the success of Atlantic partner’s Stax/Volt Records artists Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding, as well as Atlantic’s roster of artists including The Bee Gees, The Rascals, Cream and Aretha Franklin.
Born in 1938 and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Kline got his first music industry break in 1958 as a sales rep for Syd Nathan‘s King Records alongside future fellow industry legends Bob Krasnow and Seymour Stein. He later worked at Walt Disney Records and London Records, before being recruited by Jerry Wexler to join the Atlantic team in 1967. During the spread of the civil rights movement, Kline’s work in radio promotion in the South, particularly with artists like Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and other artists of color, found him not just breaking through to resistant radio programmers but also up against segregation and racism. And, for the New York-born Jewish Kline, anti-Semitism, as well.
Kline was named GM of Polydor Records in 1978, leading the label to success with hits from Gloria Gaynor, Peaches & Herb, Alicia Bridges, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, Blondie, 10cc and Benny Mardones, while helping to develop up-and-coming artists Michael Bolton and Cindy Lauper. He later served as President of the independent Radio Records, signing Dutch sensation Stars on 45, whose Beatles medley shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1981. Talent manager Shep Gordon said, “Dickie forgot more about how to make a hit record than I ever knew. A fiercely loyal friend. He will be missed by many.”
Kline is survived by his sister Julie; his sons Jeff, a pioneering e-commerce retailer; Jason, a geologist; and Steve, the COO of New York-based record label group Better Noise Music; his daughter-in-law Andrea and grandchildren Amanda and Jaron. The family is planning a virtual celebration of life for Dickie at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dickie’s memory to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
