In Memory Of Music Publishing Giant John Bromell

John Bromell, a giant of the Australian music publishing business, died at the age of 73 over the weekend after crashing his car near his Coffs Harbour home.

Believed to have had a heart attack while driving, the former Australian head of Warner Chappell and Rondor Music executive – who famously signed Cold Chisel on a handshake – also set up the industry support fund Support Act and spent time as Vice Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia.

Since his death, there has been an outpouring of emotion from friends and associates on his Facebook page, and long-time friend and associate – particularly in retirement – Phil Tripp has offered the following to theMusic.com.au.

VALE JOHN BROMELL

I've been fortunate while in the music industry to have had John Bromell watching my back when I was an investigative journalist, supporting my business as a publicist as a client for Warner Chappell and also investing in my artists when was a manager and indie label. And to my joy, he was there in Coffs Harbour in retirement when I moved up there after cashing out of the industry for a better life.

He's always been there as that laugh track in the background, the affirmation that I (and everyone else) was 'What a Great Guy' and often asking politically incorrectly 'How's Your Dick' when he was in the spirit – or spirits as the case may be. He and I enjoyed many afternoons on my balcony overlooking the Pacific in kinship and we didn't dwell on the health of the industry but more our own. We didn't mourn for dead friends but kept hugging life and celebrating it. We remembered and treasured our true friends and forgot about or forgave our foes.

Unlike me who is childless (and loving it), he adored his kids and grandkids, supported them in so many ways when they struggled and applauded them when they succeeded, just as he did with countless artists who he signed and financed or simply advised. I've watched him take immense career risks to put the funds on an artist and his track record speaks for his insight, ability to pick talent and follow through if not his largesse and compassion. He was a hero, not simply an executive.

He and I shared a few attributes. Many people thought him a dumb, lumbering old-school guy and he played that card well, just as I decided to retain the Gomer Pyle accent, Bubba personality and bad dress sense of Hawaiian and board shorts… or worse, to put off the predators and make me seem the doofus. His mind was as razor sharp as his wit and he was not only a powerful raconteur but also a connoisseur of distilled and brewed beverages. He could drink people under the table and used this to his advantage, at the same time playing the rube.

I was helping him gather his stories for a book and introducing him to likely journalists. We roared at the past tales like when he was having a long lunch with a major publisher who was considering him for a job after he gave up playing. It evolved into dinner and when the publisher passed out at the table and could not be revived, John left a large note in front of him that said, 'Thanks for offering me the job. I happily accept and will see you Monday morning at 9am sharp to start.'

John was actually knifed in the end but bowed out gracefully and left a legacy that included well over 60 top ten charting artists and setting up Support Act Limited, but also lives on in the music and songs he financed and released.

My favourite story is one I couldn't really tell until both parties were deceased. When I was a writer freelancing for my life, I published information on the embezzlement of several million dollars from Warner Records by the financial controller who had fooled Paul Turned into co-signing cheques. This was done before the arrest and before the matter came to the courts, so was risky at best. Two of my publishers got legal letters from top of town firms acting for Turner and I was delivered two envelopes. One was a served notice of defamation and the other was a set of photocopies in a brown plain envelope.

The copies were of ten cheques that Turner had co-signed and two telexes between Warner US and Australia. I didn't know who had sent them to me, but used them to quickly quash the pending legal action and going up against Turner and winning the battle of wills.

I got a call the week after this incident with the gravelly voice of Brom yelling down the phone laughing, “Well! How's your dick now?” Not quite understanding what he meant, he added, "Got my envelope?"

I was in Hawai'i last week when I got an email from John's beloved son Darren which just said 'Call me ASAP'. My first fear was that someone had broken into my house or there had been a fire on The Hill as he often checked in on it while I was away. But no, it was a personal way of telling me of John's passing which made me reel and it took me about a week to recover to the point I could comment. It was heartening to see how people reacted to it and the reverence that many showed online and in media as he was a great spirit, a deep soul and a true friend.

I know some in the top levels of the industry who regarded John as a buffoon, drunk, womaniser, fool or worse and they weren't particularly discreet in making their opinions known. But they were just suckered in a large part to the character he played for their entertainment and to make them think they were dealing with a vulnerable potential victim for their deals or schemes.

I've encountered the same since I retired from the swimming pool of spit and faux sincerity that we called the music biz. And like John, I'll be happy roaring in laughter to the end. “What a Great Guy!”

Phil Tripp