Maynard Elliott Solomon (January 5, 1930 – September 28, 2020) was an American writer and a music producer. He was a co-founder of Vanguard Records, and later became a writer on music.[1]

Career

[change | change source]

Maynard Solomon started Vanguard Records with his brother Seymour Solomon, in 1950. The label was popular for folk music and blues for the next fifteen years. As well as producing many albums, he wrote many liner notes.

Solomon won the rights to record and release music from the Newport Folk Festival. This meant he could release recordings by artists who had not actually signed with Vanguard. At this time, Elektra was the main label for folk artists. Their singers, Phil Ochs and Judy Collins, were recorded at Newport, as was a Columbia artist, Bob Dylan.

In 1960, he signed Joan Baez. In the late 60's Vanguard had some success with rock artists, One of these was Country Joe and the Fish (today usually called Country Joe McDonald).

Death

[change | change source]

Solomon died on September 28, 2020 at his home in Manhattan from dementia with Lewy bodies, aged 90.[2]

Selected discography

[change | change source]

Bibliography

[change | change source]

References

[change | change source]
  1. Nicolas Slonimsky, "Maynard Solomon", in: Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 8th edition (1991/92).
  2. Maynard Solomon, Provocative Biographer of Composers, Dies at 90

Other websites

[change | change source]