Remembering Jim Swindel
• Over the holiday weekend we received word of the passing of longtime industry executive Jim Swindel, who died on Saturday, August 31 in Burlingame, CA after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 69 years old.
As chronicled in an excellent Billboard remembrance, Swindel hailed from Portland, OR and began his music industry career in the mid ’70s, working with MCA and PolyGram. In 1977 he joined A&M Records as a Local Marketing Manager. It was during that time that he met his future wife, Randi, who was a manager at the Tower Records in Fresno, CA. As the story so awesomely states, Randi was later promoted to regional manager of the legendary record store chain, and Tower founder Russ Solomon was godfather to their first child.
In 1984, Swindel joined Island Records as VP of Marketing and Sales, and three years later was named SVP/GM of Virgin Records. In 1992, Swindel joined Quincy Jones’ imprint, Qwest Records as President. Four years later, he transitioned over to Arista Records as SVP of Sales and Joint Venture Operations. From 1999-2001, Swindel served as President & Chief Marketing Officer at Amplified Entertainment, followed by a run as EVP of Marketing & Sales, for ARTISTdirect Records. After a brief stint with Gibson Guitars as EVP of Global Entertainment Relations, Swindel became a Partner/Founder of Marvelous Media.
Bob Catania of What’s In Store Music had the pleasure of working with Swindel at Island Records. In this week’s issue of his What’s In Store Music newsletter, Catania penned a lovely tribute to Swindel that read, in part, “Jim made a positive impact on every person he came in touch with. Jim and his wife Randi were just a beautiful couple, brought together by our industry; and raised two incredible boys. Over the last couple of years of dealing with Jim’s declining health, she was a rock to all who know her. She took care of Jim; the kids; and never hid from the health issues when those of us who called to check on Jim. A remarkable woman who had the love of a remarkable man taken too soon. RIP Jim… xo Bob.”
My former Billboard colleague Geoff Mayfield said of his longtime friend, “While the world feels a little emptier for his too-soon loss, it’s a far better place for him having lived among us.” Swindel is survived by his wife, Randi, sons Dan and Joe, daughter-in-law Megan, two granddaughters, a brother and sister. We are told that a celebration of Jim’s life will be held in October. [Family photo posted to Facebook by Randi Swindel]
