Robert M. "Bobby" Roberts (May 9, 1929 – October 10, 2004) (born Robert Rosenberg) was an American music executive, talent manager, film producer, and dancer. He co-founded Dunhill Records and Mums Records, managed bands including The Mamas & the Papas and Steppenwolf, and was a producer of films including The Gypsy Moths, Monte Walsh, Death Wish, and Bank Shot. Roberts frequently worked with Hal Landers, producing films under Landers and Roberts Films, promoting concerts under Artists Consultants, and publishing music under L&R Music.[1][2]
Life and career
In the 1950s, Roberts headlined a dance team known as the Dunhills.[1][3]
In 1964, Roberts co-founded Dunhill Productions, which became Dunhill Records the following year.[3] Roberts also managed performers such as The Mamas & the Papas, Richard Pryor, Mort Sahl, Cass Elliot, Paul Anka, Ann-Margret, Johnny Rivers and many others.[4][5]
Roberts was a producer of the 1969 drama film The Gypsy Moths, the 1970 Western film Monte Walsh, and the 1972 crime comedy film The Hot Rock with Landers.[6][7][8]
Roberts formed Mums Records with Hal Landers and Don Altfeld in 1972.[9] The label, which was distributed by Columbia Records, had several notable releases, including Albert Hammond's hit single "It Never Rains in Southern California", and the album Slow Flux by Steppenwolf.[10]
Roberts was a producer of the 1974 vigilante action film Death Wish and the 1974 heist comedy film Bank Shot with Landers.[3][11][12][13]
In 1979, Roberts testified in a lawsuit by Michelle Triola Marvin against Lee Marvin.[14]
Works
Film
Year | Film | Credit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | The Gypsy Moths | Producer | |
1970 | Monte Walsh | Producer | |
1972 | The Hot Rock | Producer | |
1974 | Death Wish | Producer | |
Bank Shot | Producer | ||
1977 | Joyride | Executive producer | |
Damnation Alley | Executive producer | ||
1982 | Death Wish II | Executive producer | Final film as a producer |
Television
Year | Title | Credit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Monte Walsh | Co-executive producer | Television film |
References
- ^ a b "The 'Many Hats' of Bobby Roberts And Hal Landers" (PDF). Cashbox. March 8, 1975.
- ^ "Midas Touch: Landers, Roberts, Score With Records, Concerts & Movies" (PDF). Billboard. September 21, 1974.
- ^ a b c LeBlanc, Larry. "Interview: A&R Exec Jay Landers". Celebrity Access.
- ^ "Bobby Roberts Joins the WENR Board of Directors as Chairman. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com.
- ^ Fong-Torres, Ben (June 10, 1971). "John: 'It Sounded Like the Mamas and the Papas'".
- ^ "Nov 21, 1969, page 38 - Los Angeles Evening Citizen News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Oct 27, 1970, page 51 - Tampa Bay Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Redford Gets Film Role". March 31, 1971 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 18, 1972 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Mums Records Discography". Discogs.
- ^ "'Death Wish' Tells How Father Sought Revenge". Petoskey News-Review. March 14, 1975.
- ^ "Aug 14, 1974, page 89 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (August 1, 1974). "The Screen: A Disarming 'Bank Shot'" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Feb 28, 1979, page 9 - Detroit Free Press at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com.
External links
Category:1929 births Category:2004 deaths Category:20th-century American businesspeople Category:American film producers Category:American music industry executives
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