Bob Rolontz

Robert Rolontz(December 14, 1920 – June 14, 2000) was an American music journalist, executive and record producer.

He was born inPhiladelphia,and studied atColumbia University.He started work in the record industry in Philadelphia, where his father owned local radio stationWCAU.In 1951, he moved to New York and joinedBillboardas a music reporter, writing a regular column onrhythm and blues.He joinedRCA Victorin 1955 to manage its R&B subsidiarylabels,GrooveandVik.Among the labels' biggest hits wasMickey & Sylvia's "Love Is Strange"in 1956, on which he was credited asproducer.He also worked at Groove withPiano RedandChampion Jack Dupree,and was the first to useKing Curtison a recording session.

Rolontz returned toBillboardin 1958 as an associate editor, later promoted to music editor. In 1963, he wrote the bookHow To Get Your Song Recorded.He joinedAtlantic Recordsin 1965, with responsibility for advertising and publicity, and was credited with inventing the "platinum disc",in order to publicize the success ofCream's albumWheels of Firein selling 1 million copies. The concept was later accepted as an industry standard. In 1975, he became vice-president responsible for corporate public relations at Atlantic's parent company,Warner Communications.He was credited with persuadingBMIandRolling Stoneto initiate theRalph J. GleasonMusic Book Awards in 1989.

He died in New York City in 2000, aged 79, after suffering fromParkinson's diseasefor 22 years.