Jheryl Busby, 59, former executive at Motown Records
LOS ANGELES - Jheryl Busby, the former president and chief executive of Motown Records who helped foster the careers of Boyz II Men and Johnny Gill, has died. He was 59.
Mr. Busby was found early Tuesday in a hot tub at his home in Malibu, said Los Angeles County Assistant Coroner Chief Ed Winter.
Mr. Busby was named Motown's president and chief executive officer in 1988 and led the company for seven years. During that time he oversaw such up-and-coming artists such as Boyz II Men and Queen Latifah.
"I had tremendous respect for the way he continued the Motown legacy," said R&B singer Smokey Robinson, who was a vice president with the record company prior to Mr. Busby's tenure.
Born in Los Angeles, Mr. Busby started his music career at Memphis-based Stax Records.
He worked for several record companies during the 1980s. 