Larry Newton

Larry Newton (né Louis I. Nutinsky 7 May 1920 Philadelphia – 30 January 2005, Pompano Beach, Florida) was an American record company entrepreneur, who, earlier in his career, worked with several independent labels. He then became sales manager at the 1955 startup of ABC-Paramount Records, ascending to president in 1965. He oversaw what became a major multimarket, multi-label company, which, for its jazz subsidiary Impulse!, included Ray Charles, Oliver Nelson, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, and John Coltrane.

Newton's career began in 1938, while still in high school, when he worked in the stockroom of a Columbia distributor in Philadelphia. He became a salesman for Varsity, Combo, and Rainbow Records

Newton enlisted December 1, 1941, in the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper during World War II and was honorably discharged November 15, 1945. In 1946, Newton became sales manager for Black & White Records.

In March 1949, Newton left B&W to become general manager of Peak Records. Also, around July 1949, Newton co-founded, co-owned, and co-managed, with Eddie Heller,Derby Records — which produced hit by the Eddie Wilcox Orchestra, with Sunny Gale singing "Wheel of Fortune" – and Jaye P. Morgan.

Newton overextended, financially, and, in 1953, formed a record Central Records with Lee Magid 1953. Eventually, in 1954, he had to file for bankruptcy. The Derby masters were sold to RCA where Newton became an executive.

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