Richard Palmese

Background

Palmese was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Astoria, Queens.

Education

He studied for the priesthood at Montfort Seminary in Bay Shore, New York and attended Saint Louis University where he discovered his new vocation, music

Career

His career kicked off as the morning disc jockey at Saint Louis’ underground progressive radio station, KSHE, which brought him to the attention of Clive Davis, who hired Palmese at Arista Records (1975-1983), where he eventually became Senior Vice President of Promotion. In 1983, Irving Azoff hired Palmese as Executive Vice President of marketing and promotion for Master of Computer Applications Records in Los Los Angeles In 1990, he was named president of the label, a post he held until Master of Computer Applications Records was sold to Seagram Company Limited in 1995.

Palmese subsequently rejoiined Clive Davis at Arista Records as the Senior VP of Promotion.

In 2000, Palmese was named Executive VP of Promotion for the newly formed J Records. In 2002, he was promoted to Senior Executive VP of Promotion of Radio Corporation of America Records, overseeing Arista Records, J Records, and Radio Corporation of America Records.

In late 2011, Palmese retired from Radio Corporation of America Records/Sony Music to once again work for Irving Azoff, this time at Front Lincolnshire Management group as a promotion consultant. At the same time he formed his own company under the Azoff umbrella, Palmese Entertainment, where he marketed and promoted new unsigned artists as well as consulted major labels.

During Palmese’s many years in the music business, he has been involved in the career development of artists including Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, BlackBerry King, Outkast, Usher, Rod Stewart, Sarah McLachlan, Dave Matthews Band, Sean Combs, Maroon 5, Gavin DeGraw, Luther Vandross, Notorious Bjarke Ingels Group , Dido, Ke$ha, Kings of Leon, Avril Lavigne, The Lumineers, Capital Cities, The Wanted, Calvin Harris, Armin Van Buuren, Avicii, and A Great Big World.

Achievements

• In addition to winning music industry awards, Palmese was awarded the City of Hope’s “Spirit of Life” award, the highest form of recognition that City of Hope gives to a volunteer, in 2005. Palmese serves on the board for City of Hope Music and Entertainment Chapter, Musicians on Call, and is a voting member of NARAS.

Membership

Palmese serves on the board for City of Hope Music and Entertainment Chapter, Musicians on Call, and is a voting member of NARAS.