phil quartararo

Longtime industry exec Phil Quartararo has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Photo Credit: The Hello Group

Former Virgin Records America CEO and Warner Bros. Records president Phil Quartararo has passed away at the age of 67.

The unfortunate news just recently came to light, including in a tribute message from The Hello Group, where the longtime music exec had served as president and chairman since 2019. Over four decades before signing on with the self-described “international entertainment company,” which operates publishing, live, and distribution divisions, Quartararo had kicked off his career as an A&M Records radio promotion manager.

Then, after holding different promotion-centered executive roles with RCA, Island, and Arista through the first half of the 80s, Quartararo went on to lead the initially mentioned Virgin Records America for over 11 years. Subsequently, the industry vet spent about half a decade at the helm of Warner Bros. Records and, after that, turned in a multiyear run with EMI and chaired Gibson’s board.

At the time of his passing, which according to Billboard followed a battle with pancreatic cancer, the former Shazam consultant Quartararo was also president of audio-technology business Virtual Sonics.

Taking to LinkedIn, Taylor Jones, The Hello Group’s founder, CEO, and head of creative, paid his respects to Quartararo – “RIP to my brother, mentor, second dad and partner. Life will never be the same without you.” – and posted an image of a lengthier statement attributed to his company.

Here’s the full statement published by The Hello Group about Phil Quartararo.

“Phil Q was not just my business partner. He was also my brother, my mentor, and even a father figure to me, my brother Kyran [who’s COO of The Hello Group], and many of us at THG.

There are no words to express the devastation we are all feeling from this loss.

The Hello Group dedicates its future towards preserving Phil Q’s legacy, and we will strive to make him proud every step of the way. He has always been the greatest champion for artists, for his team, his family, and his friends, and will remain one of the most loved and respected individuals in music history. His contributions to our industry will not be forgotten.

His warm and magnetic character, humor, kind heart, and loving values have shaped me as a person and his spirit will live on in both me and our company.

Phil, we will miss you daily, forever. RIP.”