Remembering Jerry Blair & Tony Banks
This was the week I finally ventured out my bubble for the first time in nearly two years to attend to some family business back east. Yesterday, when emerging from several days largely off the grid, I was struck, like all of us were, by the double gut-punch news of the untimely passing of two longtime, well known and well respected industry peers — Jerry Blair and Tony Banks.
• Jerrold H. (Jerry) Blair died early Wednesday, Sept. 8 after a lengthy battle with COVID-19. He was just 60 years old.
Blair and his larger-than-life personality and seemingly boundless energy served him well during his lengthy music industry career, starting as a college rep for CBS Records in the mid-’80s before joining Chrysalis Records as Director of West Coast Operations. Blair’s executive career then moved to that mythical “next level” during his successful tenure at Columbia Records, where he served as SVP of Promotion from 1988-1997, before being elevated to EVP. After a brief EVP stint with Arista Records, Blair helped launch Mariah Carey‘s MonarC Music imprint. More recently he was a Principal with Global Entertainment Management/Perspectiva Music and a partner in Goldleaf Limited, which marketing CBD-based products.
Greg Thompson, President & Partner of Big Loud Management said, “Jerry Blair was a one of a kind. You could not love Jerry or not be amazed by his endless energy. He was one the greatest promotion men ever. He was also the best friend anyone could ask for. Jerry was always there for me from our days as college reps to Chrysalis local guys. He was always there for me and so many others. He loved his beautiful wife Karen and his two amazing children, Josh and Suzette. Jerry made an impression on everyone he met. He loved and fought for his artists and his friends. The world lost a good guy today.”
Pete Cosenza, SVP Promotion, Adult Formats for Columbia Records, noted, “My friendship with Jerry started 40 years ago when I was programming radio stations. From day one he was always there for me. I loved his passion, energy and creative ways of promoting music. Over the years, as our friendship developed, I mentioned to him that I would love to try moving to the other side of the desk. When an opportunity arose at Columbia, he called and asked me to interview with his team and the rest is history. Throughout our time together at Columbia, Jerry always had my back and helped me grow within the company. He was a pro, an incredible promotion man and a great friend.”
Barry Fiedel, the Founder and former Publisher of Hitmakers Magazine, remarked, “I have chosen to keep my personal feeling private for a man I considered another son! Please excuse my absence, but this loss brings up too many very deep emotions. It’s enough just trying to get through tomorrow without Jerry in my world!” Blair leaves behind his wife Karen, son Joshua, daughter Suzette and his sister Michelle.
• Veteran programmer and air talent Tony Banks, Director of Talent Development for iHeartMedia, passed away on September 5, 2021, reportedly due to complications from COVID-19. He was only 53 years old.
Born Anthony Mario Napoleoni, Jr. in Providence, RI, Banks got his first jolt of radio at age 15, working Red Sox games on WKRI-AM/West Warwick, RI. While attending Rhode Island College, he worked at the campus radio station, WXIN, later earning a BS in Communications. After college he made the transition to commercial radio as “TJ Napp” at KIX 106 and 92 PRO-FM/Providence. In 1995, Anthony was hired at WPLJ/New York (pictured, below) and given the new air name “Tony Banks” by Tom Cuddy and Scott Shannon. The following year, Banks earned his first programming position at WKRZ/Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA. Subsequent programming stops included Y-100/Miami, BOB 93.3/Greenville-New Bern, and WA1A/Melbourne, FL.
Banks joined the former Clear Channel in 2012 as SVP of Programming for the Midwest and was named to his most recent role of Director of Talent Development in 2016, working closely with his mentor Dennis Clark, iHeart’s VP of Talent Development. Clark remarked, “It was an honor and a blessing to work with Tony Banks as a friend and colleague for many years. Tony had that rare gift of hearing the magic in great radio shows and helped make them better. He had a special touch and made profound contributions to many careers and will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him. I, along with the entire iHeartMedia team, send our deepest condolences to his wife Erica, sons Nicolas and Nathan, his family, friends and loved ones.”
Tom Cuddy, now PD of 710WOR/New York, said of Banks, “In all the talent hires I’ve had the pleasure to make in the last 40 years, there’s very few I’m as proud of as Tony’s. I’ve never met anyone who worked with Tony who didn’t become a huge fan. He had an incredible bedside manner. I last spoke to him in June when his oldest son was graduating from high school, and the last time I saw him was when he flew into NYC from Florida for the WPLJ Farewell Party two years ago.”
Anthony was the loving husband and best friend to his wife, Erica Marie Napoleoni (Quattrucci), for 26 years, and a devoted and loving father to his two sons, Nicolas Anthony Napoleoni and Nathan William Napoleoni. Anthony also leaves behind his parents and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where a memorial fund has been established in memory of Anthony Napoleoni, Jr.
