Ed Eckstine is a name that has come up in multiple QLS interviews. Now, he sits down to talk about not only growing up in a legendary family where icons regularly stopped by, but he speaks about 50 years of music industry history. Ed recalls working at Quincy Jones Productions before his time with Clive Davis at Arista. Eckstine also talks about his years leading Polygram and Mercury, where he signed acts like Tony! Toni! Toné!, Vanessa Williams, and Brian McKnight. This is a joyful deep dive filled with anecdotes, intersections, and two hours of insider wisdom.
Check out these other episodes below!
LA Reid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwpy2fUJN2M
Lisa Cortes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iytT9gQYABU
Ramon Hervey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JMQnckEDNg
0:00 - Roll call, check-ins, and an Ed Eckstine introduction — and his history runs DEEP
10:10 - Ed Eckstine’s morning routine, including a meditative practice
12:50 - Do most label executives have passion for music? Ed Eckstine certainly does
15:00 - Questlove questions if The Roots would have been a better fit at Mercury/Polygram Records; Ed reflects on the buzz around the band
18:40 - The road that led Ed Eckstine to a career in music
21:30 - Ed Eckstine’s very first musical memory; growing up as the son of Jazz legend Billy Eckstine — being in rooms with Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and other legends
25:10 - How was it having a busy and recognizable father?
26:20 - Growing up as one of the only few Black families in Encino, California
30:00 - The Eckstines had an understanding of music and Civil Rights
31:40 - Encounters with The Jacksons
32:40 - Ed Eckstine’s first album purchase, and where is the Eckstine family vinyl collection?
36:10 - Some of Ed Eckstine’s best concert memories
39:10 - What did Ed Eckstine originally want to be when he grew up?
43:30 - Ed Eckstine used to write for SOUL magazine, and his connection to the late David Guest
46:00 - The Los Angeles music scene, and signing Robin Harris
48:50 - Early jobs, including time at Rodgers & Cowan working alongside Stax Records
50:10 - Getting hired by Quincy Jones to work at Quincy Jones Productions during the Body Heat era — and how he got the job
55:11 - Working with Quincy Jones from 1973 to 1984, and what Ed Eckstine did for Q and the label
1:02:10 - Going to Arista Records, and working with Angela Bofill
1:03:55 - Working with Clive Davis during the mid-1980s at Arista Records, with some rabbit-holes in between on Real To Reel, Narada Michael Walden, and Randy Jackson
1:13:00 - Frustrations around Dionne Warwick’s That’s What Friends Are For
1:15:30 - Ed almost hired Little Steven Van Zandt to become a Mercury Records A&R
1:16:45 - Why Ed Eckstine left Arista Records, missing on signing Levert
1:19:10 - An honest conversation about Whitney Houston’s second album, Whitney
1:22:00 - What really happened with Whitney Houston at the 1989 Soul Train Awards?
1:24:00 - Going from Arista Records to Polygram Records, and some great chemistry with Kenny G
1:30:00 - Working with Vanessa Williams and making a new start
1:31:40 - Ed Eckstine never aspired to be the President of Mercury Records
1:33:00 - Signing and developing Tony! Toni! Toné! and a great story about the decline of Black radio involving The Brothers Johnson
1:39:30 - Ed Eckstine is retired, give or take. He reflects on the music industry space today
1:44:35 - Reflections on John Mellencamp, and what was it like dealing with him as a label executive?
1:45:20 - Rabbit holes and rapid fire questions involving Meshell Ndegeocello, Keith Thomas, and Diamond D
1:51:10 - What if Ed Eckstine had successfully signed The Roots?
1:53:00 - Closing remarks, reflections, and gifts from Ed Eckstine
