Richard Gottehrer

Richard Gottehrer (born June 12, 1940) is an American songwriter, record producer, performer, and music industry executive renowned for his contributions to rock, punk, and new wave music, as well as pioneering digital distribution for independent artists.

Gottehrer began his career in the early 1960s as a songwriter in New York's Brill Building, co-writing pop hits such as "My Boyfriend's Back" for The Angels. He also performed as part of the novelty rock band The Strangeloves, which he co-created, scoring a success with "I Want Candy." In 1966, Gottehrer co-founded Sire Productions with Seymour Stein, which evolved into the influential Sire Records label the following year, initially focusing on international licensing before becoming a key player in American rock and punk by signing and promoting acts like the Ramones, Talking Heads, and Madonna.

Richard Gottehrer was born on June 12, 1940, in the Bronx, New York City, to Jewish parents of Austrian and Russian-Polish heritage. He grew up in a neighborhood in the Bronx during the post-World War II period, a time of economic recovery and cultural vibrancy for many immigrant families in the area.

Richard Gottehrer was born on June 12, 1940, in the Bronx, New York, to Jewish parents, his mother Dora, whose heritage traced back to Austria and Russian-Poland.