Chuck Kaye Howard Greenfield, and Neil Sedaka. In 1966, Kaye started both Rondor Music and Almo/Irving Music which were the publishing companies for A&M Records, owned by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss. Kaye began to demonstrate his business acumen by signing acts while heading Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss’ Almo/Irving Music label. During this period Kaye signed an extensive list of talent that included Alan Parsons, Bob Marley, The Beach Boys, Allee Willis, Steve Winwood, Traffic, Free, Cat Stevens, Bryan Adams, Mason Williams, Jefferson Airplane, John Bettis, Troy Seals, Will Jennings, Paul Williams, Billy Preston, Roger Nichols, Peter Frampton, and Supertramp. In
Karen Carpenter (album) heart." The liner notes (including comments from Richard Carpenter and producer Phil Ramone) include Richard's explanation for shelving the album in 1981, and his later decision to release it as Karen approved it. Karen was backed by various New York and Los Angeles studio musicians, including Steve Gadd, Greg Phillinganes, Louis Johnson and members of Billy Joel's band. A&M executives in New York approved the material, but the executives in Los Angeles, including label owners Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, responded negatively. Ramone recalls that Carpenter broke down in tears. Devastated, she accepted A&M's urging not to release the album.