This week I am saddened to report the passing of Music Mogul Jherl Busby. He passed on November 4, 2008 at home. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles (Watts) Busby, a Pathfinder alum of John C. Fremont High School, he attended California State University Long Beach for two years before taking a job at Mattel. He began a career with Stax records, pioneered the Black Music division of MCA Records. He guided the careers of New Edition, Johnny Gill, Pieces of a Dream and countless others.
There is not a hit MCA album from the eighties and nineties that this Brotha is not being thanked on. He took over Motown Records after Berry Gordy had sold the company continuing the Legacy of Motown with its signature acts Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and resigning Diana Ross to Motown after she had departed for RCA years before. He lit fire to the careers of Boyz to Men, Another Bad Creation and continued to find and guide new acts until his departure.
He pioneered the Black Music division of Dreamworks records then along with Producer Mike City helped to release Carl Thomas's latest release. He eventually became a board member for One United Bank, A large Afrikan American Bank. This Brotha was just bad. Over the years I have heard many music business war stories but I never heard a negative story about Jherl.
So on behalf of my Mother, one of Jheryl's classmates from the class of 1967, let me say Jheryl will be missed. He led a life on earth where he will be remembered but he also held on to a promised from God that he proclaimed God's name before men then God would speak his name before his father. He is remembered!
BE Mindful! BE Careful! BE Prayerful!
Jaycee
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