Norman Dolph
| Norman Dolph | |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 1, 1939 Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
| Residence | New York, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Yale |
| Known for | First funding of Velvet Underground |
| Spouse(s) | Eve Dolph (m. 1995) |
Norman Dolph (born April 1, 1939) is an American songwriter, painter, and a former music industry executive and entrepreneur. He is most known for reputedly producing the first recordings of American rock band The Velvet Underground while a sales executive at Columbia Records. Dolph reportedly received an original painting from Andy Warhol in payment for his work.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dolph is a graduate of Yale (1960), with a degree in electrical engineering. While working for Columbia Records as an account representative in the Custom Pressing Division in 1967, and moonlighting as a DJ for his own mobile discothèque business (STOY, Inc.), he became involved in New York's vibrant art scene. Andy Warhol mentioned to Dolph that he had discovered a rock band he thought should make a record. That band was The Velvet Underground. Dolph bought studio time and oversaw the recording and the remix of the album that went on to become ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’. The album jacket features a banana picture created by Andy Warhol, and is one of the most recognized album jackets of all time.
The album however, was not initially destined for fame. It was originally presented by Dolph to his Columbia Records colleagues for their consideration and it was swiftly rejected. The original acetate that held the recording was returned to Dolph who gave it to Warhol. It then disappeared for years only later to surface on eBay where it sold for $20,000. Though a commercial and critical failure upon release, the record has since become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed rock albums in history, appearing at number thirteen on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time as well as being added to the 2006 National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
Dolph produced the 1969 album Switched-On Rock which capitalized on the previous year's success of Switched-On Bach by Wendy Carlos. For Switched-On Rock Dolph painstakingly tuned the Moog synthesizer which would drift out of tune every 15 minutes.
In 1972 Dolph began writing lyrics & publishing songs, garnering two major Chart recordings, “Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)” performed by Reunion, and “Stay The Night” sung by Jane Olivor, and other recordings by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Patti LuPone, Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson, Tracey Ullman, Eddie Kendricks, The Earls, and Bill Medley. He also wrote the lyrics to the songs in the animated feature “Attila and the Great Blue Bean”.
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