Former Atlantic Records music executive Michael Klenfner passed away on Tuesday.

He helped transform the Blues Brothers from a skit on Saturday Night Live into a Grammy Award-nominated artist.

Michael was also well-known as the "President of Clarion Records" from the Blues Brothers movie.

Michael passed away in New York City from complications of congestive heart failure. His daughter Kate Klenfner described him as "the famous man in the music business no one had ever heard of."

In the 1970s, Klenfner helped comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi take their "SNL" act about an American blues and soul revivalist band to the top of the charts. The Blues Brothers' songs include "Rubber Biscuit" and "Soul Man."

Klenfner later helped steer Cher's comeback with her 1998 hit "Believe."

He promoted hundreds of other musicians in a career spanning more than 30 years.

You can watch a video of Michael Klenfner presenting Jake and Elwood with their awards for their first album here:
1979 Radio and Records Convention - Awards Presentation

Original Source: Associated Press

R.I.P