Music Executive and ASCAP CEO John Titta has Passed Away

Titta, who worked with artists including Carole King, Lou Reed, Bon Jovi, and Pearl Jam over many decades, has died after a battle with cancer

John Titta, a songwriter advocate and the longtime CEO of the performing rights organization, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), has passed away following a two-year battle with cancer. 

Beginning his career as a musician, songwriter, and music teacher, Titta soon joined Screen Gems/EMI music as a manager and signed artists such as The Smithereens, Carole King, and Lou Reed.  

From 1993 to 2006, he served as senior VP and general manager of New York’s Warner Chappell Music, where he further signed Trey Songz, Fat Joe, Missy Elliott, Kid Rock, Collective Soul, India.Arie, Gavin DeGraw, Cassandra Wilson, Dan Wilson, Shaggy, Simple Plan, Duane Eddy, and Bruce Hornsby.

In 2006, he formed MPCA Music Publishing and Recordings, where he was president and CEO — the company featured the catalog of the Blues legend Robert Johnson and songs by Sammy Cahn and Jack Wolf, among others.

Additionally, Titta worked with PolyGram Music Publishing, where he signed Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Pearl Jam, Brian McKnight, k.d. lang, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Jimmy Webb, among others. 

As an artist himself, he played on albums by Ringo Starr, Michael McDonald, Sambora, and others, plus produced albums by Dionne Warwick, Todd Rundgren, and Donny & Marie Osmond. 

Notably, Titta served as executive VP and CEO of ASCAP from 2013 until his passing. At ASCAP, he led the whole membership team and worked closely with all of its members. He was also a Board member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF).

“The quintessential New York Italian … [Titta] was extremely proud of being a SHOF Board member, thought of it as ‘the feather in his cap’ and was one of our most active and dedicated board members,” SHOF’s President and CEO Linda Moran told Billboard.  “Even when going through personal hardships and heartaches, he always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say, so that you would never know what he was experiencing.” 

“All of us at ASCAP are heartbroken,” said ASCAP President and Chairman, songwriter Paul Williams in Variety. “John Titta was one of a kind, and truly one of the most beloved music industry executives I have known, with deep ties to songwriters across genres and generations. John — you had a song in your heart always, and you will always be in our hearts. I miss you already.”

“John Titta’s warmth, his humor, his kindness, his love of family, and his passion for music were infectious,” added ASCAP’s current CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “He was a north star for me personally, and for all of us at ASCAP. John was instrumental in the success of so many songwriters throughout his storied career, and he shared his love of music and songwriters so freely that we all felt the joy.  All of us in the ASCAP family are devastated by his passing. Titta — we love you.”

Mr. Titta is survived by his wife, his brother, two sons, a daughter, and a grandson. Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.