Who was Art Rupe? Cause of Death and Obituary, Dies at 104, Net worth, Family, Age, Wife

Arthur Newton Rupe (Art Rupe) was a record producer and music executive from the United States. In 1946, he founded Specialty Records in Los Angeles, which is known for its recordings of rhythm and blues, blues, gospel, and early rock & roll music.

Art Rupe, a pioneering record executive, passed away at the age of 104.

Art Rupe, a music executive whose Specialty Records was a major label in the early days of rock ‘n roll and helped launch the careers of Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and others, has died. He was 104 years old.

According to the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation, Rupe, who was elected into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2011, died Friday at his home in Santa Barbara, California. His cause of death was not disclosed by the foundation.

Jerry Wexler, Leonard Chess, and other white businessmen-producers who helped promote Black music to a wider audience were all contemporaries of the Greensburg, Pennsylvania native. Cooke and his gospel group the Soul Stirrers, Little Richard, Lloyd Price, John Lee Hooker, and Clifton Chenier all got their start at Specialty, which he started in 1946 in Los Angeles.

“Specialty Records’ growth paralleled, and perhaps defined, the evolution of Black popular music, from the ‘race’ music of the 1940s to the rock n’ roll of the 1950s,” music historian Billy Vera wrote in the liner notes to “The Specialty Story,” a five-CD set that came out in 1994.

Little Richard, a rhythm ‘n’ blues and gospel artist since his teens who had struggled to break through commercially, was Rupe’s most lucrative and significant signing. Little Richard (the professional name for the late Macon, Georgia, native Richard Penniman) had discovered of Specialty through Price, submitted a demo, and called for months trying to find out whether anyone had listened, Rupe recounted in a 2011 interview for the Rock Hall archives. Rupe dug his recording out of the reject pile once he finally demanded to speak with him.

“There was something in Little Richard’s voice I liked,” Rupe said. “I don’t know — it was so exaggerated, so over-emotional. And I said, ‘Let’s give this guy a chance, and maybe we can get him to sing like B.B. King.‘”

Art Rupe Age, Family, and Early Life

Arthur Goldberg was the father of Rupe. On September 5, 1917, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, he was born to a working-class Jewish family. Rupe grew up in McKeesport, a nearby suburb.

His father was an immigrant from Galicia who worked in a factory, and his mother was a housewife from Pittsburgh.

He was 104 years old and was of American nationality.

Art Rupe Career, What was his profession?

Arthur Newton was a record producer and music executive from the United States. In 1946, he founded Specialty Records in Los Angeles, which is known for its recordings of rhythm and blues, blues, gospel, and early rock & roll music.

Early

Rupe made the decision near the conclusion of the war to pursue a career in the entertainment sector. He spent $200 on what was dubbed “racing recordings” at the time to meticulously evaluate them and find the formula for selling albums after losing money in a small record firm. Art came to the conclusion that the secret was a big band sound with a churchy vibe. He found the recording skills he needed in the Watts district’s many after-hours clubs. In 1944, he and Ben Siegert founded JukeBox Records, but after a few hits, he parted ways with his partners and founded Specialty Records.

With Roy Milton, Percy Mayfield, and Jimmy Liggins, as well as a thriving gospel repertoire, the label grew quickly. Rupe, Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, and J. W. Alexander were the label’s main producers. Johnny Vincent worked for the company as a sales representative.

With Roy Milton, Percy Mayfield, and Jimmy Liggins, as well as a thriving gospel repertoire, the label grew quickly. Rupe, Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, and J. W. Alexander were the label’s main producers. Johnny Vincent worked for the company as a sales representative.

Art Rupe Net Worth, How much does he earn?

At the time of his death, Art Rupe had a net worth of $3 million.

Also Read: Savannah Ga, Pete Liakakis, dies at 90 (Biography)

Art Rupe Wife, His Relationship, What about Children?

He was married to Leo Schwarz. Art was an American music executive and record producer. Beverly Rupe Schwarz was the couple’s daughter.

Where did he attend his High school and University? What was his major?

He went to Virginia Tech, Miami University, and UCLA for his education. He worked for a shipbuilding company in Los Angeles during WWII.

Art Rupe Social Media Reach

We did a quick search for the social media handle of Art Rupe but weren’t able to find him on any of the social platforms.

Body Appearance of Art Rupe’s Height, Weight

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