Al Abrams, Motown Records’ first press officer and promoter, dies of cancer at age 74
Posted October 4, 2015 12:36 pm.
Last Updated October 4, 2015 1:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
DETROIT – Al Abrams, the founding press officer and publicist for Motown Records, has died at 74.
The Detroit-born Abrams died Saturday of cancer at his home in Findlay, Ohio. Jonathan Dorfman of the suburban Detroit Dorfman Chapel confirmed the death and says his business is arranging the funeral.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Abrams was the first employee of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. — before the company officially existed. Abrams promoted records to Detroit disc jockeys and went on to direct media relations at the label that included Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Supremes.
Abrams left Motown in 1967 to launch a public relations firm with clients such as Stax Records and James Brown.
He also was a journalist and author and co-wrote a musical, “Memories of Motown.”
