Primus Robinson

Primus Robinson was born on August 31st, 1947, in Sampson County, North Carolina, to the late Prime and Essie Ray DeVaughn Robinson. He was preceded in death by a sister, Gail Herring Johnson. Primus Robinson departed this life on September 19th, 2024 at Peak Resources in Wilmington, NC.
Graveside Service will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Trinity AME Zion Church Cemetery, 8122 Tomahawk Hwy., Harrells, NC 28444. Rev. Darius Ballard, officiating.
Primus attended grade school in Sampson County, North Carolina. He graduated from an exclusive high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Primus won a full scholarship to Middlebury College in Vermont. Upon graduation, Primus returned to Philadelphia and after a succession of jobs, he found radio. Partnering with Perry Johnson, they became an entertainment force in the city, broadcasting from WDAS-FM.
An opportunity presented itself and Primus moved to the other side of the industry. He joined Atlantic Records in New York City to work as a radio promoter, marking the first step in his rise to executive positions at Elektra Records as VP, Black Music. In 2000, the Philadelphia Inquirer called Robinson " an institution at Elektra Records in New York." Robinson was an A&R executive at Arista under legendary Clive Davis, and head of black music at independent label Alpha International Records in Philadelphia.
Robinson is known for helping discover the singer Anita Baker, and for helping to popularize the disco genre, which pulled from many genres of black music. He is uniquely affiliated with the career of Luther Vandross, Kenny G, Keith Sweat, Aretha Franklin, Peabo Bryson, and a host of other well-known national and international artists. One of his proudest accomplishments was working with George Duke. He is credited with getting Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" played on black radio, against all odds.
After retirement, Primus spent the last decade of his life in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 2013, he became the President of Wilmington Cape Fear Jazz Society. He used his expertise from all levels of the music business to bring in regional and national artists for concerts at local venues. These venues included the Cameron Art Museum, the Bellamy Mansion Museum, and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's Kenan Auditorium and Beckwith Recital Hall.
Among other successes, Robinson helped bring jazz legend Albert "Tootie" Heath, of the famous Heath Brothers, to Wilmington in 2022 for what turned out to be Heath's final concert. Heath, who died in April, was from Philadelphia but spent summers growing up in Wilmington with his late brothers, Percy and Jimmy Heath. In 2016, Robinson produced a sold-out performance by internationally acclaimed jazz artist, Diane Schuur at Wilmington's premier venue, Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts.
Robinson leaves to cherish his memory one brother and eight sisters: Lula Robinson Green, Rosie Herring Ellis, Luther Ray Herring, Brenda Herring Armstead, Gloria Herring Demby, Vanessa Lee Herring, Karmen A. Fennell, Vanessa DeVaughn and Christine Caine. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and treasured friends.
Hope Valley Hawkins Funeral Service & Cremation of Clinton is honored to serve the Family of Primus Robinson.
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