Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer is set to receive the 2022 Grammy Salute To Industry Icons award.
Announced today (December 15) by The Recording Academy, Stringer is being honored “for his leadership, impact and dedication to advancing innovation in the music industry”.
Stringer joins a prominent list of previous honorees, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss, Clarence Avant, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Sir Richard Branson, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.
He will be celebrated at Clive Davis’ and the Recording Academy’s Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on Sun, January 30, 2022, the evening preceding the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
Stringer has been Chairman of Sony Music Group since 2019 after being appointed CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in 2016.
He is responsible for leading the global strategies and activities of the world’s largest music publishing company and second largest recorded music company.
Stringer started his career at CBS Records in 1985 and rose within the company to become Managing Director of Epic Records in 1992 and chairman of Sony Music UK in 2001.
When Sony Music entered into a joint venture with BMG in 2004, Stringer became Chairman of Sony BMG Music UK.
He was promoted to chairman of the US-based Sony Music Label Group in 2006, and when Sony Corp. acquired BMG’s half of the joint venture in 2008, he was appointed Chairman of Sony Music Entertainment’s Columbia Records.
Over the course of his career with Sony Music, Stringer has worked with global superstars including AC/DC, Adele, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, the Clash, Daft Punk, David Bowie, Depeche Mode, George Michael, Harry Styles, Jack White, John Legend, John Mayer, Michael Jackson, Pharrell Williams, Pink, Sade, Tony Bennett and Tyler, the Creator.
In addition, he has led successful collaborations between the worlds of music, television and film.
In 2020, Stringer was instrumental in the launch of Sony Corp’s $100 million Social Justice Fund to support social justice and anti-racist initiatives around the world.
In 2021, Stringer implemented the company’s Artists Forward and Songwriters Forward programs to create more earnings opportunities for artists and songwriters.
As part of the Artists Forward initiative, Sony Music announced in June that it was to disregard unrecouped balances for a swathe of heritage recording artists on its books.
That widely applauded policy, called The Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program, was also extended to songwriters, with Sony Music Publishing (SMP) revealing in July that it would disregard unrecouped balances going forward for qualifying songwriters.
The Artists Forward and Songwriters Forward programs also prioritize health and wellness support for Sony Music artists around the world.
“Rob has been one of the most influential leaders in our industry for decades.
Harvey Mason jr., Recording Academy
Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said: “Rob has been one of the most influential leaders in our industry for decades.
“His work in building a more inclusive culture in music and his love for real artists have been game changing. From introducing the world to so many talented artists to always putting them first, with initiatives like Artists Forward and Songwriters Forward, Rob’s impact is massive.
“We take great pleasure in honoring him and his groundbreaking contributions to the music community at the 2022 Pre-GRAMMY Gala.”
“A music man to his core, Rob Stringer is an innovator, a pioneer and a true champion for artists.”
Clive Davis
Davis added: “A music man to his core, Rob Stringer is an innovator, a pioneer and a true champion for artists.
“He has been at the front line of change in the music industry for decades, advancing social justice and tolerance, developing major global artists, all while spearheading hit after hit after hit.
“The night of the Pre-GRAMMY Gala is a night that celebrates music and it is also a night that celebrates that person who has uniquely contributed to the health of the music industry and to music itself. That person, this year, is most deservedly Rob Stringer.”Music Business Worldwide