This board is made up of leaders in the entertainment industry who generously support the mission of the ARC.
John “Jellybean” Benitez
Top producer, label owner and disc jockey who brought Madonna to the attention of the world.
Youssou N’Dour
One of the world’s best known musicians from Senegal, who is helping to develop the African music collection at the ARC.
Mike Stoller
Songwriter and producer best known for his work with Elvis and the Coasters. Mr. Stoller and partner Jerry Leiber helped popularize R&B, creating classics that transcended musical and racial categories. Hits include “Hound Dog” and “Under the Boardwalk.”
Keith Richards
Legendary guitarist for The Rolling Stones who co-wrote most of the bands many hits, including “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Keith funds the Keith Richards Blues Collection, helping the ARC acquire and preserve American blues recordings.
Nile Rodgers
Founding member of the disco/dance band Chic, whose hits included “Le Freak,” “I Want Your Love” and “Good Times.” Nile is a Grammy winning producer of albums by Madonna, David Bowie, Diana Ross & Mick Jagger. Nile created the We Are Family Foundation and his most recent success was his work with Daft Punk, co-authoring and performing on “Get Lucky.”
Todd Rundgren
Singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist; founding member of the Nazz and Utopia.
Fred Schneider
Songwriter, vocalist and founding member of the Grammy winning B-52’s, whose hits include “Love Shack,” “Roam” and “Rock Lobster.”
Martin Scorsese
Director of the films Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, The Last Waltz, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street, among others, in addition to Michael Jackson’s “Bad” video.
Paul Simon
One of America’s most prolific and successful writers of folk, rock, and pop, whose hits include “The Sound of Silence” and “Still Crazy After All These Years.” More recently, he has explored world music with his best-selling LPs Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.
Emeritus Board – former Board members
David Bowie
David was one of rock’s most charismatic performers and a pioneer in new media. His innovation of an ever-evolving on-stage performance style and image are as important as his many classic albums — from Ziggy Stardust to Cool White Duke.
Carl Bernstein
Investigative journalist who, when working at The Washington Post along with Bob Woodward, broke the story of the Watergate cover-up and brought down President Nixon. Thank’s Carl! He;s also a major Classical music collector.
Jonathan Demme (1944-2017)
Two-time Academy Award Winner and director of the films Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Married to the Mob, Something Wild, Stop Making Sense and The Manchurian Candidate, among others.
Michael Feinstein served 2010–2013
Performer and guardian of the “American Songbook.” ARC has contributed to Mr. Feinstein’s latest endeavor, creating the Center for Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana to preserve the music he loves.
Ellie Greenwich (1940–2009)
Iconic composer, producer and performer, who co-wrote dozens of hits in the 1960s, including “Da Do Ron Ron” (The Crystals), “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes) and “Leader of the Pack” (The Shangri-Las).
John Hammond (1910–1987)
Legendary producer who was ARC’s very first Board of Advisors member. Through signings, production and championing, a few of the artists Mr. Hammond brought to the attention of the world include, Robert Johnson, Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Dylan, Springsteen, Big Joe Turner, Pete Seeger, Olatunji and Aretha Franklin.
Brewster Kahle (2015–2019)
Brewster is the founder of the Internet Archive, the unique and indispensable leader of print and audio preservation worldwide and one of ARC’s greatest supporters.
Jerry Leiber (1933–2011)
Mr. Leiber was the lyric half of legendary songwriting team Leiber and Stoller. Era defining compositions include “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog,” “Stand By Me” and “On Broadway.”
Earl McGrath (1931-2016)
Mr. McGrath was a record executive at Atlantic and Nemperor Records, and a former manager of the Rolling Stones. He currently runs The Earl McGrath Gallery in both New York and Los Angeles.
Lou Reed (1942–2013)
Influential singer, songwriter, icon and guitarist who founded the Velvet Underground and is considered the quintessential urban singer/songwriter; his best known works include “Sweet Jane,” “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side.”
Jerry Wexler (1917–2008)
Pioneering producers of R&B and rock at Atlantic Records; responsible for many hits by Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, including “Respect” and “In The Midnight Hour.”