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“Father of the Grammys” Dies at 85
13-Sep-2009
Written by: Pahull Bains
Pierre Cossette, known as the “father of the Grammys” died on Friday at the age of 85.
Renowned Canadian producer Pierre Cossette, known as the father of the Grammy Awards, died at Barrie Memorial Hospital in Montreal on Friday at the age of 85. He had suffered in recent years from congestive heart failure and subsequently died from related problems. His death was announced late Friday in Santa Monica, California by the Recording Academy.
Cossette was instrumental in bringing the Grammy Awards to television in 1971, producing the awards show until he retired in 2005. He is well-known for persuading nervous TV executives to put “longhairs with high heels and makeup” on a live national broadcast in 1971. “Rock 'n' roll was not really an acceptable format in the television business in those days," Cossette recollected in a 1985 interview. “The response was, 'We don't want those longhairs with their earrings and spike heels and makeup . . . on our network.'”
He was also largely involved with the development of the annual Latin Grammys. During his long and illustrious career, Cossette also worked on the development of other musical programs such as “The Andy Williams Show”, “The Sammy Davis Jr. Show” and “The Glen Campbell Music Show,” during the 1960s and 1980s.
"Pierre was a creative visionary and one of the most accomplished, versatile and respected producers," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said in a statement. "It was because of his passion and dedication that the Grammy Awards came to network television close to 40 years ago." Cossette produced the music awards ceremony for 35 years until 2005, when his son took over the job for Cossette Productions.
Funeral services are pending. His family has requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Recording Academy's MusiCares charitable organization.
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