Jeff Cheen, a veteran music executive who worked with many famous musicians, has tragically passed away at the age of 80, The Hollywood Reporter reports. He leaves a tremendous legacy, having helped “bring reggae, American pop and jazz to China.”
His wife, Chunhong, announced that Cheen passed away on Thursday, October 16, following a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and two sons from a prior marriage.
Cheen worked with music legends such as John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Joan Rivers, and many others.
Jeff Cheen’s Legendary Career
Cheen got his start working for his uncle, Leonard Chess, at Chess Records in Chicago when he was just a teenager.
He then went to Los Angeles, where he earned the title of national promotion director for Tetragrammaton. There, he worked with John Lennon, Deep Purple, Joan Rivers and Tiny Tim.
Cheen made the transition to Mercury in Hollywood, where his role was to oversee record production and artist signings. Then, he ultimately moved to Capitol Records, where he led the rock artists and repertoire, helping bring in clients such as George Harrison, Pink Floyd, and Steve Miller. Sheen was then the lead of the management division for Far Out Music, where he worked with War, Rick James, and other artists.
He moved to China for 13 years after being hired as a consultant for the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Culture and the Australian government’s Ausmusic. During that time, he helped bring pop and rock music in Asia, specifically helping introduce American blues, jazz, and reggae. With that, Cheen helped develop two Chinese reggae albums, a Chinese jazz album, and a Chinese country album, also working with the rock band Tang Dynasty.
When Cheen came back to the United States, he served as Vice President of Business Development for BB King’s Blues Clubs. He then relocated to Charlotte, N.C, continuing to teach music.
In 2006, Cheen founded the Charlotte Music Awards, as well as being a founding board member of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
Bang Pays Tribute to Jeff Cheen
“Sad to hear the news of our friend Jeff Cheen … Jeff was the Producer of our Mother & Music albums on Capitol Records … we shared a lot of good times together and had a blast recording together … he will be sorely missed … Rest In Peace Jeff … Love you my friend … see you on the other side,” the 1970s rock trio Bang posted on Facebook.
