Seymour Stein leaves Warner Music Group after four decades

“I long for my indie roots,” Seymour Stein explained as he stepped out of Warner Music Group after an illustrious four decades.

The co-founder of Sire Records signed Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones, The Pretenders, The Smiths, Craig David, Depeche Mode, The Cure, kd lang, The Cult, The Replacements and Ice-T, among many others.

An executive who travelled globally to find new music, Stein also signed a number of Australian acts.

They ranged from The Mixtures, Radio Birdman, The Saints and The Go-Betweens in the ‘70s to The Avalanches, The Veronicas, Taxiride, Evermore and Betty Boo.

You could also add The Strangeloves of I Want Candy fame, who were claimed to be a bunch of NSW sheep farmers although they were from New York.

Henry Rollins, while presenting him with a special award last weekend by the Grammy organisers, called him the “ultimate visionary indie, hearts and minds music executive of all time”.

Stein said as a farewell, “I’ve enjoyed much of my time at Warner’s, but in truth I long for my indie roots and the greater independence that I experienced back in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.

“So the time has come to move on to the next phase of my career, leaving Sire in the hands of Rani Hancock (named president of Sire when it was relaunched last year), whom I sincerely wish all the luck in the world.

“I’m very proud that Sire was named the No. 15 label of the past 100 years in a major poll conducted by Variety earlier this year.

“I trust that it will continue to be a place where great songs and great artists will live for many years to come.”