Punk Rock Icon Marty Thau Dies At 75

New York punk rock icon Marty Thau, manager of the New York Dolls and producer for early records and demos by legendary bands like the Ramones, Suicide and Blondie and Red Star Records founder has passed away at 75 after complications from renal failure.

Thau worked at a number of record labels through the 1960s, winding up as A&R for Paramount Records in 1972 before a New York Dolls performance changed everything; he quit the job and became their manager, before dedicating his time and expertise into the development of the New York punk scene upon their 1975 disbandment.

The first LP by matchless art punks Suicide was co-produced by Thau and fellow New York punk mastermind Craig Leon in 1977, the record going on to be considered a hugely influential classic album in the years following its release.

He established Red Star Music in 1977, which released the aforementioned Suicide record, as well as great albums by the likes of The Real Kids and The Fleshtones.