Remembering “Dandy Don” Whittemore
• We’ve lost yet another beloved industry icon who was a friend to many in our business — “Dandy Don” Whittemore, former longtime RCA promotion executive who later, in partnership with his wife, Linda, launched a successful ice cream business, passed away on Monday evening, Feb. 24, just a few hours shy of what would have been his 87th birthday.
Don’s daughter Darcy posted a heartfelt tribute to her father in a Facebook post that reads, in part, “In the days since his passing, it has become even more clear that Don was truly one of a kind, and will be deeply missed by many. If you didn’t know him, here’s a rundown of his greatest hits: burlesque comedian, polio survivor, 1950s hot rodder, 1970s RCA/Capitol promo man, one-time manager of David Axelrod, nightclub manager, ‘Dandy Don the ice cream man,’ three-time survivor of spinal meningitis, part-time hippie, and a thousand other things. He was my father, and my life will never be the same again. I will miss his odd hour beat poetry text messages, his love for Frank and Marco, and the way he treasured my mother, Linda, and brother, Donnie.”
Longtime music industry executive Ron Alexenburg said of his friend, “Dandy Don and my family became friends when we moved to LA, as his humor, epicurean knowledge, music business history, as well as world history, made every day a delight to be with him. He touched so many people. His devotion to his family was very special. We will be planning a memorial event in the spring. Rest well, my friend.”
RAMP‘s Steve Resnik shared this memory of Dandy Don: “Don was a wonderful person. After he left RCA he started his own independent promo company in the CNN building on Sunset. When I lost my first real job at ABC/Dunhill in 1977 after seven years, Don set me up with a little office with a desk and a phone until I went to Liberty/UA a few months later. He also arranged four front row tickets for me to see Elvis in Las Vegas! I will miss him and all the times he donated Dandy Don’s ice cream at parties at my house and around town.”
Whittemore is survived by Linda, his wife of 49 years, son, Donnie, daughter, Darcy, son-in-law Frank, and grandson, Marco.
More remembrances are posted on Dandy Don’s Facebook page. [Photo courtesy of Darcy Whittemore]
