Polly Anthony, the former president of Epic Records, passed away over the weekend following her battle with pancreatic cancer. Anthony was known for helping to launch the careers of performers such as Korn and Macy Gray, while also working with other musicians including Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine and Shakira.
Jonathan Davis, the vocalist of Korn, recalled how Anthony had the band's back, particularly before the band broke it big during 1998 by driving a tank through Midtown Manhattan.
"We always felt like she truly understood us, despite how radical our sound was in the beginning," he said. "She made sure we had the ability to be ourselves, despite what trends were going on in music or what the industry considered 'hot.'"
Shakira seconded the positive feedback.
"Polly Anthony was a tour-de-force in the music business as well as a touchstone for me in my career during my time at Epic Records and a constant reminder that in this industry, hard work comes second only to pure, unadulterated passion," she said. "She truly understood artists and will be deeply missed by those who were fortunate enough to know and work with her."
Former Sony Music chairman said that Anthony saw potential in acts that other industry executives couldn't figure out, particularly Macy Gray.
"It takes somebody like that, who could see the energy and go, 'It doesn't really matter if they don't sound like the other rock bands,'" he said. "I never saw her more committed than she was to Macy Gray. We were scratching our heads, but she took charge of it."
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