Record executive Paul Cantor dies at 86

Paul Cantor, known for furthering the careers of Dionne Warwick and B.J. Thomas, died at age 86.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, his son Marc said that Cantor died of natural causes at his home in California.

Cantor worked with a number of revered performers including The Kingsmen, The Shirelles, Chuck Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Diane Schuur. He had a long career as an agent and a manager, working at several companies and then venturing out on his own. From 1954-61, Cantor was an agent at William Morris Agency in New York. He was a managing director at Wand Management Corp., a subsidiary of Scepter, from 1962-71. He ran Paul Cantor Enterprises from 1972-2006. While working for the label, Scepter Records, he was instrumental in the recording of the song, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” for the film, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Cantor’s son, Brett Cantor, died tragically in Los Angeles from multiple stab wounds, according to Variety. He worked for Chrysalis Music Group and was known for his work with the bandRage Against the Machine.