Flying Bee: Created page with "{{short description|American music executive}} {{infobox musical artist |name = Ron Fair |background = non_performing_personnel |birth_date = |birth_place = Los Angeles,..."

2021-08-12T08:18:00Z

Created page with "{{short description|American music executive}} {{infobox musical artist |name = Ron Fair |background = non_performing_personnel |birth_date = |birth_place = Los Angeles,..."

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{{short description|American music executive}}
{{infobox musical artist
|name = Ron Fair
|background = non_performing_personnel
|birth_date =
|birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States
|label = {{hlist|[[Virgin Records|Virgin]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[Geffen Records|Geffen]]|[[Universal Music Group|Universal]]|[[Interscope Records|Interscope]]}}
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Record producer]]|[[music executive]]|[[Artist and repertoire|A&R]]|[[music arranger|arranger]]|[[Conducting|conductor]]|[[record engineer]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]}}
|years_active = 1970-present<ref>[http://www.narip.com/ron-fair Ron Fair Bio] NARIP. Retrieved 9 November 2019.</ref>
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Wild Orchid (band)|Wild Orchid]]|[[Christina Aguilera]]|[[Keyshia Cole]]|[[The Pussycat Dolls]]|[[Vanessa Carlton]]}}
}}

'''Ronald Fair''' is an American [[A&R]] executive, [[record producer]], record executive, [[musical arranger]], [[recording engineer]] and [[Conducting|conductor]]. In a career that has spanned over 30 years at major record labels he has produced and arranged hits for several artists, but he is best known as a "guru/mentor", guiding the careers of unknown artists. Among the artists he has mentored are [[Christina Aguilera]], [[Vanessa Carlton]], [[Keyshia Cole]], [[The Black Eyed Peas]] and [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]], and the [[Pussycat Dolls]].<ref name="billboard"/><ref name="aes"/>

==Career==
===Early career===
Fair was born in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shane Bailey |url=http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/industry/archives/ararchiv/ronfair.html |title=Ron Fair |publisher=Bmusic.com.au |access-date=2010-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804235031/http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/industry/archives/ararchiv/ronfair.html |archive-date=2010-08-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fair's childhood played an important role in his eventual career direction, saying in an interview with [[HitQuarters]],
"My grandfather was a broadcaster who had built a remote facility for the purpose of producing a daily radio broadcast. Ever since I was two years old I was around microphones and consoles."<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Ron_Fair_Interview.html |title=Interview With Ron Fair |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=19 Jun 2006 |access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref> During his childhood Fair was actively encouraged to pursue this career path, receiving various music tuition and being encouraged to take on the job training in multi-track recording.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> By the time he was 17 years old he was, in his words, "Very skilled with microphone technique and able to make a pretty convincing sounding recording."<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> Fair's first job in the music industry was a short stint in the mailroom of Far Out Productions, in September 1979. Far Out Productions was the production company headed by [[Jerry Goldstein (producer)|Jerry Goldstein]] and Steve Gold, and produced albums by, most notably, [[War (U.S. band)|War]] and [[Tanya Tucker]].

Fair taught "recording production" at the University of Sound Arts<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929001925/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/greif.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Sleaze Roxx|archive-date=29 September 2011|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref> in Hollywood while at the same time developing a reputation as a motion picture musical soundtrack coordinator, with the multi-platinum successes of ''[[Pretty Woman]]'' and ''[[Reality Bites]]''.<ref>[http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/industry/archives/ararchiv/ronfair.html RON FAIR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804235031/http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/industry/archives/ararchiv/ronfair.html |date=2010-08-04 }}, Doug Minnick, Bmusic.com.au, undated.</ref> In addition, during the early 1980s Fair worked as a recording engineer on such projects as the [[Slayer]] album ''[[Hell Awaits]]''.<ref>[http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/music/Hell-Awaits-Slayer-Slagel-Fair/039841403121-item.html?cookieCheck=1 ''Hell Awaits'', Chapters.Indigo.ca] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319205315/http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/music/Hell-Awaits-Slayer-Slagel-Fair/039841403121-item.html?cookieCheck=1 |date=2012-03-19 }}, (retrieved September 13, 2011)</ref>

===A&R career===
During his career, Fair has produced multiple number one singles on the pop and R&B charts, including “[[Lady Marmalade]]” (Christina, Pink, Mýa, Lil' Kim), “Be Without You” (Mary J. Blige), “One” (Mary J. Blige & U2), “[[Big Yellow Taxi]]” (Counting Crows), “[[A Thousand Miles]]” (Vanessa Carlton), and “[[Where Is the Love?]]” (Black Eyed Peas). He was also the executive producer of “[[Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)|Beautiful]]” (Christina Aguilera), “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (Fergie), “[[Let’s Get It Started]]” (Black Eyed Peas), and many other hits. He was nominated for 6 [[Grammy]] awards and his recordings have won several Grammy awards, including those of [[Christina Aguilera]], [[The Black Eyed Peas]], [[Mary J. Blige]] and [[Queen Latifah]].<ref name="billboard"/><ref name="aes"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/news35380 |title=ACCLAIMED PRODUCER, MUSICIAN AND LABEL EXECUTIVE RON FAIR PROMOTED TO CHAIRMAN OF GEFFEN RECORDS |year=2006 |publisher=Universal Music Group|access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/jimvellutato123.htm |title=Special Interview with Jim Vellutato, Vice President of A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing |author=Dale Kawashima |publisher=SongWriter Universe |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Black-Eyed-Peas-The-Lets-Get-It-Started/release/1544258 |title=Black Eyed Peas, The* – Let's Get It Started |website=Discogs.com |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref>

In 2009, Fair engineered [[Lady Gaga]]'s single “[[Speechless (Lady Gaga song)|Speechless]],” from her platinum album ''[[The Fame Monster]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|date=2009-10-21|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Jann Wenner]]|url=http://rollingstone.com/news/story/30583202/inside_the_monster_ball_lady_gaga_reveals_plans_for_ambitious_new_tour|title=Inside The Monster Ball: Lady Gaga Reveals Plans for Ambitious New Tour}}</ref> That year he also collaborated with Indian film composer [[A.R. Rahman]] to produce an English version of "[[Jai Ho (song)|Jai Ho]]", the hit song from the film ''[[Slumdog Millionaire]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal|first=Ethan|last=Smith|title='Slumdog' Remix: The Oscar-winning song 'Jai Ho' is reworked with help from a Pussycat Doll|journal=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=February 27, 2009|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123568984902087603|access-date=2009-03-01}}</ref> Currently, Fair is set to produce UK artist [[Matt Goss]]’ new album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mattgoss.la/2011/05/25/new-matt-goss-album-to-be-produced-by-ron-fair/ |title=New Matt Goss Album to be Produced by Ron Fair |author=Ray |date=25 May 2011 |work=mattgoss.la |access-date=12 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912140335/http://mattgoss.la/2011/05/25/new-matt-goss-album-to-be-produced-by-ron-fair/ |archive-date=12 September 2011 }}</ref>

Fair held the position of Chairman at [[Geffen Records]] until joining [[Virgin Records]].<ref name="billboard"/> Prior to running Geffen Records, Fair was President of [[A&M Records]] for five years, and held senior [[A & R]] positions at [[RCA Records]], [[Chrysalis Records]], [[EMI Records]], and [[Island Records]]-London.<ref name="aes"/>

In 2013, Fair was named the new [[Chief Creative Officer]] and Executive Vice President of [[Virgin Records]]. In his current position, he is in charge of rebuilding the recently struggling label.<ref>{{cite web|last=Aswad|first=Jem|title=Ron Fair Named Chief Creative Officer, EVP of Virgin Records|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ron-fair-named-chief-creative-415012|work=news|publisher=holywoodreporter.com|access-date=2013-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RON FAIR NAMED CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER/EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, VIRGIN RECORDS|url=http://www.universalmusic.com/corporate/detail/2379|website=Universalmusic.com|access-date=2013-08-21}}</ref> After a year with the company, he left Virgin Records in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Halperin|first1=Shirley|title=Ron Fair Exits Virgin Records|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6289214/ron-fair-exits-virgin-records|website=billboard.com|publisher=Billboard Magazine|access-date=2015-03-22}}</ref>

Fair is a celebrity judge on the Canadian television talent program ''Cover Me Canada''.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/covermecanada/host_judges.html ''Cover Me Canada'', cbc.ca], (retrieved November 8, 2011)</ref>

On January 30, 2015, it was announced that Fair had signed on to Executive Produce [[TLC (group)|TLC]]'s fifth and final studio album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6458086/tlc-new-album-details-ron-fair-producing|title=Veteran Producer Ron Fair to Exec-Produce TLC's New Album|website=Billboard.com|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ron Fair married singer-songwriter [[Stefanie Ridel]], a member of the teen girl group [[Wild Orchid (band)|Wild Orchid]], on September 4, 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wildorchid.8m.com/main2009.html |title=The Most Up to Date Information on Wild Orchard|website=Wildorchid.8m.com |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref> They have four children together. Fair enjoys gardening and has notably climbed [[Mount Kilimanjaro]].<ref name="aes">{{cite web |url=http://www.aes.org/events/117/specialevents/ronfairbio.cfm |title=117th AES CONVENTION BIOGRAPHY OF RON FAIR |year=2004 |publisher=Audio Engineering Society |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref> Ron was previously married to Andrea Fair.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreafair18/] {{dead link|date=January 2021}}</ref>

==Discography==
'''Notable Productions'''<ref name="imdb"/>
* 1990: ''[[Pretty Woman#Music|Pretty Woman Soundtrack]]'' (Executive producer)
* 1992: ''[[White Men Can't Jump (soundtrack)|White Men Can't Jump Soundtrack]]'' (Executive producer)
* 1994: ''[[Reality Bites#Soundtrack|Reality Bites Soundtrack]]'' (Executive producer)
* 1994: ''[[Dumb & Dumber#Soundtrack|Dumb & Dumber Soundtrack]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2001: ''[[Legally Blonde (soundtrack)|Legally Blonde Soundtrack]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2002: [[Christina Aguilera]] - "[[Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)|Beautiful]]" (Executive producer)
* 2002: [[Vanessa Carlton]] - "[[A Thousand Miles]]"
* 2003: [[The Black Eyed Peas]] - "[[Where Is The Love?]]"
* 2004: [[Vickie Natale]] - [[Like No Other]] (Executive producer)
* 2005: [[Keyshia Cole]] - ''[[The Way It Is (Keyshia Cole album)|The Way It Is]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2005: [[Pussycat Dolls]] - ''[[PCD (album)|PCD]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2006: [[Fergie (singer)|Fergie]] - "[[Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie song)|Big Girls Don't Cry]]"
* 2006: [[Gwen Stefani]] - ''[[The Sweet Escape]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2007: [[Keyshia Cole]] - ''[[Just Like You (Keyshia Cole album)|Just Like You]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2008: [[Keyshia Cole]] - ''[[A Different Me]]'' (Executive producer)
* 2009: [[Lady Gaga]] - "[[Speechless (Lady Gaga song)|Speechless]]"
* 2009: [[Pussycat Dolls]] - "[[Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)]]"
* 2010: [[Keyshia Cole]] - ''[[Calling All Hearts]]'' (Executive producer)

==Filmography==
'''Film and television'''
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film<ref name="imdb">{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265426/|title=Ron Fair|website=IMDb.com|access-date=22 January 2021}}</ref>!! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Star Search]]: The Next Generation'' || Himself || TV Series
|-
| 2005 || ''UK Music Hall of Fame: Biggest Selling Artists of the 21st Century'' || Himself || TV Documentary
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll]]'' || Judge || TV Series
|-
| 2007 || ''The Pussycat Dolls: Live from Manchester Evening News Arena'' || Executive Producer || Video
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious]]'' || Judge and Executive Producer(6 episodes) || TV Series
|-
| 2008 || ''[[E! True Hollywood Story]]'' || Himself || TV Series Documentary Ep: [[Pussycat Dolls]]
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Fox Reality Awards|Fox Reality Really Awards]]'' || Himself || TV Series Documentary
|-
| 2010 || ''[[American Idol]]'' || Himself || TV Series - Episode: "Idol Gives Back/Top Seven Results"
|-
| 2011 || ''Inside: El DeBarge'' || Executive Producer || TV Movie
|-
| 2011 || ''Living in La La Land''<ref name="billboard"/> || Judge || TV Series
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Cover Me Canada]]''<ref name="billboard">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/ex-geffen-chairman-ron-fair-on-judging-cover-1005349422.story |title=REx-Geffen Chairman Ron Fair on Judging 'Cover Me Canada' TV Show |author= Karen Bliss |date=13 September 2011 |work=Billboard.biz |publisher=Billboard |access-date=13 September 2011}}</ref> || Judge || TV Series

|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0265426}}
*[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ron+Fair Ron Fair discographie at Discogs.com]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fair, Ron}}
[[Category:American music industry executives]]
[[Category:Record producers from California]]
[[Category:Songwriters from California]]
[[Category:A&R people]]
[[Category:American Jews]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Ron Fair - Revision history

Flying Bee: Created page with "{{short description|American music executive}} {{infobox musical artist |name = Ron Fair |background = non_performing_personnel |birth_date = |birth_place = Los Angeles,..."