Who Was Dick Asher? All You Need to Know About Music Industry Veteran and Anti-Payola Crusader as He Passes Away at 92

Who was Dick Asher?

Born in New York City in 1932, Dick Asher began his career by serving in the Marines. Afterwards, he pursued higher education at Cornell Law School and Tufts University. In the mid-1960s, Asher joined CBS Records, initially working as their Vice President of business affairs. Spanning over four decades, Asher made significant contributions to the music industry by collaborating with some of its most renowned artists.

Asher’s stint with Columbia Records and Polygram Records

In 1971, Asher went back to CBS following a short tenure at Capitol Records during which he worked closely with Clive Davis from Columbia Records. His significant contributions to the resurgence of CBS’s struggling British division led him to be appointed as the head of international operations.

During the decline of disco music in the late 1970s and the subsequent slump in the music industry, Asher became an essential figure at Columbia Records, serving as deputy president and playing a crucial role in maintaining the company’s financial stability.

In 1983, Asher parted ways with the company. Later, he climbed the ranks at Warner Communications, eventually assuming the roles of president and CEO at PolyGram Records by October 1985. However, in 1990, Asher left the organization due to a contract dispute.

During the 1990s, he relocated to Florida and took up a position as an adjunct professor in commercial music at Florida Atlantic University. He played a significant role in launching the university’s recording studio. Sadly, Dick Asher is no longer with us, leaving behind his son Jeffrey, wife Sheila, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.