Longtime songwriter advocate John Tittawho served as executive vice president/chief creative officer at ASCAP, died Monday (October 21) after a two-year battle with cancer. His age is unknown.
“All of us at ASCAP are heartbroken,” said the ASCAP chairman/president and songwriter Paul Williams in a statement. “John Titta was one of a kind and truly one of the most beloved music industry executives I've ever met, with deep connections to songwriters across genres and generations. John — you always had a song in your heart, and you will always be in our hearts. I miss you already.”
CEO of ASCAP Elizabeth Matthews added, “John Titta's warmth, humor, kindness, love of family and passion for music were contagious. He was a north star for me personally, and for all of us at ASCAP. John was instrumental in the success of so many songwriters throughout his storied career and shared his love of music and songwriters so freely that we all felt the joy. All of us in the ASKAP family are devastated by his death. Titta — we love you.”
The lifelong Staten Islander started out as a musician, songwriter and music teacher before joining Screen Gems/EMI music as a manager, signing acts like The Smithereens and working with the legendary Carole King and Lou Reed. He then moved to PolyGram Music Publishing, where, as vice president of A&R, he signed Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Pearl JamBrian McKnight, kd lang, Billy Ray Cyrus and songwriter Jimmy Webb, among others. Prior to joining ASCAP in 2013 where he led the membership team, he also held stints at Warner Chappell Music as Senior Vice President / GM where he worked with Missy Elliott, Shaggy, Bruce Hornsby, Kid Rock and many others. your own independent music publishing company and label, MPCA Music Publishing and Recordings.
He kept his creative side alive playing on albums by Ringo Starr, Michael McDonald, Sambora and others, as well as producing and A&R'ing albums by Dionne Warwick, Todd Rundgren, Donny & Marie Osmond and others.
Tributes to Titta flooded social media from top songwriters. “There is a giant hole in the hearts of all of us who loved John Titta today. Such a huge loss,” Diane Warren wrote Facebook. “John loved songwriters. And we loved him. Rest in power my dear friend. There are some really great songwriters up there waiting to embrace you.”
Sam Hollander also expressed his appreciation, writing at Facebook“John was one of the really good guys in this multi-layered industry—a real supporter of songwriters and artists when music was about more than algorithms. If he believed in you, he fought for you, regardless of your place in the proverbial pecking order. I was blessed to have him in my corner and share incredible decades – he was just a sweet, funny, generous soul who made you feel like you were listening.”
Titta was also a board member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “The quintessential New York Italian, John loved his family, his friends – especially those who became family, music, songwriters, artists, creative talent, The Godfather movies, Staten Island and life itself. He was extremely proud to be on the SHOF board, considered it a 'feather in his cap' and was one of our most active and dedicated board members,” she says. Linda Moranpresident/CEO of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, via email. “Even when he was going through personal hardships and heartaches, he always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say, so you'd never know what he was going through.”
Fellow board member and president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America Evan Lamberg he says Bulletin board“John's love for people, artists and songwriters is unparalleled. The way he cared for his friends, of which he had many, was wholehearted. He made a huge positive difference to so many lives and will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Titta seemed incredibly connected to a wide range of the entertainment community. When a luminary died, most recently songwriters JD Souther and Kris Kristofferson and comedian Bob Newhart, he admirably posted a photo of himself with the deceased and shared a warm, personal remembrance on social media.
Survivors include his wife Lana, sons Alex and Julian, daughter Martin, grandson Mason and brother Michael. The family plans a private service to be followed by a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John and Rose Titta Fund, which Titta created in memory of his parents to help children on the autism spectrum through music programs. Donations can be made through ASCAP Foundation.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/pro/john-titta-ascap-executive-songwriter-advocate-dead/
