July 9, 1937 - September 1, 2014 Gold and Platinum record producer and music industry executive, David Anderle, passed away peacefully after a heroic battle with cancer at his Los Angeles home on September 1, 2014, surrounded by his loving wife, Cathy, and devoted son, Jonathan, and numerous family members. Born and raised in Los Angeles, David was the son of Al and Pauline Anderle. After graduating from Fairfax High School, David joined the U.S. Navy as a Gunner's Mate, completing a two-year tour of duty. Upon returning, he attended the University of Southern California as a drama major and set designer. It was there that he met Sherril Forbes who became his wife of 41 years, predeceasing David in 2008. David's storied career spanned several decades working with such artists as Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, Van Dyke Parks, Danny Hutton, Judy Collins, The Doors, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Delaney and Bonnie, Bread, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, David Ackles, Tim Buckley, Nico, Marc Benno, Booker T. Jones, Blues Traveler, John Hiatt, The Gin Blossoms, Aaron Neville, Sound Garden, Suzanne Vega, Circle Jerks, Amy Grant and Sheryl Crow. His legendary friendship with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys led to the formation of the first artist-run label, Brother Records. The long-awaited album, Smile, was brought to market in 2011 to the great satisfaction of both Brian and David. David began his career in music in 1964 as the West Coast Talent Director for MGM Verve before joining Jack Holzman and moving to West Coast Operations Director for Elektra in 1968. In 1970, David struck out on his own, forming Willow Productions, until 1973 when he began his long stint at A&M Records, joining Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert, as Senior Vice-President of A&R before his retirement in 1999. During his long tenure at A&M, David also served as music supervisor for such films as The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and Good Morning, Vietnam, wherein David was instrumental in making Louie Armstrong's "What A Wonderful Life" part of the original soundtrack. Upon his retirement, David returned to his true passion of painting. In 2007, he realized a life-long dream with the opening of his one-man show, Better Late Than Never. He continued to paint throughout the balance of his life. David once said when asked about his love of painting and his career in music, " I can't paint anything that doesn't get inside me, whether it's a person or a place. There has to be a reason why, or I won't do it. Producing records was the same. I had to be touched." A proud graduate and supporter of the University of Southern California, David first taught at USC as an undergrad student and later served on the Board of Councilors for the School of Dramatic Arts. David's influence in both music and art leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten. He will be dearly missed by all those who loved and appreciated him. David - husband, father, brother, uncle and friend - is survived by wife Cathy, son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Adrienne, Barbara (Alan) Loeb, Bonnie (Bela) Bunyik, nieces and nephews, grand niece and nephew and all his loving family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to: Sherril Anderle Memorial Scholarship Fund USC School of Dramatic Arts 1014 Childs Way 1st Floor Los Angeles, CA 90089-0591 Gift by phone: 213 821-4262 Memorial services will be private.
Published in Los Angeles Times from Sep. 5 to Sep. 7, 2014.