Larry Harris, co-founder and former Executive Vice President of Casablanca Records, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 18. He was 70.
Harris began his career in 1971 at Buddah Records in New York before migrating to Los Angeles in 1973, where he and his cousin, the late Neil Bogart, co-founded Casablanca Records. Harris oversaw the success of Casablanca, which by 1977 had notched a series Gold and Platinum albums from artists such as KISS, Donna Summer, Parliament, Cher and the Village People.
After departing Casablanca in 1979, Harris went on to own and operate the Seattle Improv for a number of years and managed several artists as well. He wrote and published his Casablanca memoirs in the 2009 book And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records.
Harris leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Candy and their daughter Emily and son Morgan.
