Ewart Abner
Ewart Gladstone Abner, Jr. was born on the 11th of May 1923 in Chicago. His father served as a minister while young Ewart attended Englewood High School before graduating in 1939. He enrolled at Howard University to study pharmacy but left school to serve in the military during wartime service. After his return from active duty, he pursued an accounting degree instead. DePaul University awarded him this qualification in 1949. Between 1950 and 1954, he managed finances for Chance Records located in Chicago.
Abner joined Vee-Jay Records as part owner and general manager in 1954. He became president of that label in 1961 when artists like Jerry Butler and the Four Seasons joined their roster. Capitol Records had rejected early Beatles releases despite their success in England. Vee Jay signed the group for American distribution in January 1963. They released singles and an album titled Introducing the Beatles that year. The New York Times noted Abner oversaw these first American releases. Capitol later reissued all material originally released by Vee Jay after acquiring rights.
Berry Gordy hired Abner as vice-president of International Management at Motown in 1967. He rose to become President of Motown from 1973 until 1975. During his presidency, the company reached number one on charts with multiple hits. Stevie Wonder delivered Superstition and You Are the Sunshine of My Life that same year. Diana Ross scored Touch Me in the Morning while Marvin Gaye released Let's Get It On. Eddie Kendricks contributed Keep on Truckin' to the list of top singles. These tracks helped define the sound of early 1970s soul music under his direction.
Abner served as personal and business manager for Stevie Wonder for a full decade after leaving Motown. This partnership involved significant efforts to establish a Martin Luther King Jr national holiday. His work earned him recognition through various industry awards including the NAACP Image Award. He remained close to Berry Gordy even after stepping down from executive roles. The two maintained an advisory relationship until Abner passed away in 1997. Abner also held the position of vice chairman at the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit.
Ewart Abner died on the 27th of December 1997 in Los Angeles California. He was seventy-four years old when he passed away. His wife Olivia Watson Abner survived him along with seven children. Two grandsons and one great-granddaughter also outlived him. He received induction into the Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame during his lifetime. His career spanned decades of influence across multiple record labels. Abner's contributions shaped the landscape of American popular music throughout the twentieth century.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was Ewart Abner born?
Ewart Gladstone Abner, Jr. was born on the 11th of May 1923 in Chicago.
What record labels did Ewart Abner work for during his career?
Ewart Abner managed finances for Chance Records from 1950 to 1954 before joining Vee-Jay Records as part owner and general manager in 1954. He later became president of Motown from 1973 until 1975 after serving as vice-president of International Management starting in 1967.
How did Ewart Abner contribute to bringing The Beatles to America?
Vee Jay signed the group for American distribution in January 1963 under the leadership of Ewart Abner who oversaw these first American releases. Capitol Records later reissued all material originally released by Vee Jay after acquiring rights.
Which major hits were produced at Motown while Ewart Abner served as president?
During his presidency from 1973 until 1975 Stevie Wonder delivered Superstition and You Are the Sunshine of My Life while Diana Ross scored Touch Me in the Morning. Marvin Gaye released Let's Get It On and Eddie Kendricks contributed Keep on Truckin' to the list of top singles that defined early 1970s soul music.
When did Ewart Abner die and how old was he?
Ewart Abner died on the 27th of December 1997 in Los Angeles California. He was seventy-four years old when he passed away leaving behind his wife Olivia Watson Abner and seven children.