Bob Rolontz Dead At 79

Bob Rolontz, a veteran music man who chronicled the industry as an editor at Billboard, died June 14 in New York after a 22-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 79.

A native of Philadelphia, Rolontz worked in the record business there before joining Billboard in 1951 as a music reporter and author of the column "The Rhythm And The Blues." In 1955, he joined RCA Victor as musical director for its R&B label, Groove, before moving over as recording director of the company's Vik label, where his biggest hit was Mickey & Sylvia's "Love Is Strange" in 1957.

Rolontz later returned to Billboard as associate editor and then, music editor. In 1963, he published a book, "How To Get Your Song Recorded," before joining Atlantic as VP in charge of advertising and publicity. In 1975, he moved to Atlantic parent Warner Communications as VP of corporate public relations.

A memorial service is planned for July.