Remembering Barry Lyons
• Over the weekend we were saddened to learn of the passing of veteran promo executive Barry Lyons, who had been battling several serious health issues over the past few years.
Lyons’ extensive history is related in loving posts by some of his longtime friends, starting with Richard Pachter, who said, “I met Barry in the summer of 1973, when I was sent by his father, Ed, to work at Sattler’s 998 department store in Buffalo, specifically, in the record department that Barry managed. We immediately bonded over our love of The Beach Boys, and I remember Barry being really impressed that I’d interviewed Carl Wilson a couple of years earlier. We quickly became friends, and then roommates for several years. Barry and I stayed close as he moved on to run Amherst Records, working with the future ‘Could Be Wild’-men, our late, great pals Bruce Moser and Doug Dombrowski.”
Pachter added, “Barry was a character, of course. ‘Why explain something in four words when 20 or 30 would make it more interesting?’ seemed to be his philosophy.”
In 1978 Lyons became Midwest Regional Promo rep for Elektra/Asylum Records. “I first met Barry when he moved to Chicago, when he was with Elektra and I was with Chrysalis,” said Chuck Oliner. “We immediately bonded over our passions for rock music and wrestling. What followed was a 40+ year friendship. We’ve gone through life’s highs and lows together side-by-side, always there for each other and I will miss my friend.”
Lyons went on to serve as VP of Promotion at I.R.S. Records, VP of Rock Promo at Giant Records, did Nat’l Rock Promo at Polydor, and was VP of Promo at Island Records. For the past several decades Lyons ran his own unique company, Rent-A-Label. Bob Catania notes, “Barry was a one-of-a-kind personality and a most passionate music man… he would do whatever it takes to get his music front and center to radio. He was also a pioneer in Independent Promotion with his Rent-A-Label business that allowed artists without a label to get a shot at radio. He later became the Holiday Music maven with his ‘Dr. Lyons’ Hi-Fi Holiday’ compilations. Barry and I stayed in regular touch, and fittingly, our last call was him promoting me on a new artist he had discovered. I will miss those calls… and Barry!
Our former R&R colleague Jeff Gelb, who served as best man at Barry’s wedding to Joanne in April, said, “Love to Barry Lyons, who is likely promoting Brian Wilson to the angels right about now. And all our love to his daughter Barbra, who is now forever extended family.”
