David Kapralik

David Kapralik was a music industry executive. An A&R executive, producer and talent manager, he was also a manager who at times managed Van McCoy, Sly & the Family Stone.

Background

Kapralik brought Sly & the Family Stone to Epic records. He also co-formed Stone Flower Productions with Sly Stone, a company that was jointly owned by both of them.[1]

He was also responsible for getting Barbara Streisand signed to Columbia Records.[2] Some of the other artists that had a leg up from Kapralik were Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé, Peaches & Herb, and Andy Williams. In addition to helping Tommy Mottola at an early stage in his career, he worked as a producer. He produced novelty record albums for Bette Davis and Cassius Clay.[3]

Career

In 1963, Kapralik was the head of the A&R department for Columbia. It was year prior to when Cassius Clay would knock out Sonny Liston when Clay had been signed up by Kapralik to record his I Am the Greatest comedy record album. The amount that Clay was signed up for was speculated to be around $25,000.[4][5]

In October 1964, Billboard ran an article about David Kapralik and the April-Blackwood publishing company. Kapralik stepped into the role of General Manager around February that year. One of the tasks he completed was putting together a stable of composers which consisted of Herb Weiner, John Gluck, Dick Heard, Alan Jeffries, Van McCoy, and Herb Weiner.[6]

In 1965, Kapralik brought Van McCoy to the attention of Columbia vice-president, William P. Gallagher. This resulted in Columbia taking on McCoy as a recording artist.[7] The signing to Columbia would impact on McCoy's intended marriage to singer Kendra Spotswood. He delayed their wedding plans to take on the contract and the relationship ended.[8]

Kapralik produced the Peaches & Herb 1967 single, "Close Your Eyes" which became a US R&B #4 Hit and a US #8 pop Hit.[9]

Kapralik was working as an A&R man for Epic. After an early Sly & the Family Stone album failed to make headway, Kapralik gave advice to Sly Stone that he should make simpler music. Taking the advice of Epic's A&R man Kapralik, Stone came back with Dance to the Music.[10]

Personal life

Kapralik was born in Plainfield, New Jersey to parents Samuel and Gertrude. The only son, he was the youngest of three children. He had two older sisters.[2][11]

Death

Kapralik died in Maui, Hawaii, in July 2017 at age 91.[2]

Further reading

References
  1. The Observer, 10/04/99 - Media, Music Mogul David Kapralik Says Sony Owes Him Big Money by Andrew Goldman
  2. Barnes, Mike. "David Kapralik, Influential Barbra Streisand, Sly Stone Music Exec, Dies at 91", The Hollywood Reporter, July 12, 2017. Accessed March 26, 2023. "Kapralik was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, the youngest of three children of milliners."
  3. Starlight, July 12, 2017 - David Kapralik, A&R Man Who Helped Sign Barbra Streisand and Managed Sly Stone, Dead at 91
  4. The Observer, 10/04/99 - Media, Music Mogul David Kapralik Says Sony Owes Him Big Money by Andrew Goldman
  5. Billboard, August 10, 1963 - Page 3 Clay Talks a Nice Fight Disk?
  6. Billboard, October 10, 1964 - Page 4 A-B Mapping Triple Threat Invasion: Theater, TV, Films By Mike Gross
  7. Billboard, October 2, 1965 - Page 52 Van Getting the McCoy Buildup From Columbia
  8. an McCoy Music, Inc. - Page 2 More About Van McCoy
  9. Who Sampled - Close Your Eyes by Peaches & Herb
  10. The Guardian, Mon 20 Mar 2006 - Looking at the devil - Barney Hoskyns
  11. Ancestry - Davis Kapralik in the 1940 Census
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