NARM pays special tribute to its esteemed former chief staff executive Mickey Granberg who passed away on February 17. She was 83. Mickey often said that her life and NARM’s were inextricably linked. All told, she devoted nearly 40 years of service to the organization. She and her then husband, Jules Malamud, worked tirelessly to run the Association during its formative years, beginning in 1961. She worked days as an English professor at Philadelphia’s Temple University and nights as NARM’s office administrator, as well as a wife and mother of two sons. When Jules left the organization in the 1970s, Mickey remained as a senior member of the staff and eventually rose to head the organization. Mickey became one of the foremost female executives in the entire music industry. Even after she retired in 1989, she lent her unique expertise to NARM’s government relations and public affairs initiatives and remained a trusted advisor for another decade. Among her proudest achievements at NARM was the formation of the NARM Scholarship Foundation. Her signature ability to navigate the politics of the music industry and its executives with great finesse and fairness were without equal, and helped NARM meet its greatest challenges.

Mickey is survived by her husband, Martin, two sons, Eric and Steven, and 7 grandchildren. It was Mickey’s very specific request that contributions be made in her name to the NARM Scholarship Foundation for the creation of a Mickey Granberg Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please direct all inquiries to Executive Director Pat Daly at daly@narm.com or call 856.596.2221.

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As NARM prepared for the 50th Anniversary celebration in 2008, Mickey was asked to be part of a small video recapping the Association’s history. Here, in this uneditted, green-screen interview, Mickey talks about the early days of NARM, the issues facing the industry at that time, and her role in those formation years:

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“Mickey was the grand dame of NARM for nearly four decades and there was no one else like her,” said NARM President Jim Donio. “She invested so much of herself and her life into the Association that her contributions were truly inestimable. She had a unique ability to command action and inspire success, and the music industry was the better for it. For my own part, Mickey hired me to work at NARM nearly 22 years ago and believed in my potential in a way that no one else had ever done. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the confidence she showed in me.”

“Mickey was a friend, a respected colleague and a mentor,” said NARM Chairman of the Board Rachelle Friedman of J&R Music World. “She taught by example … a strong, no-nonsense lady with a soft, empathetic and classy side. She taught me that nothing was impossible. Mickey will be sorely missed by the music industry, by her colleagues, friends, and by her family that she held so dear to her heart.”

“Mickey was a special person who showed great care for every member of NARM, said Jack Eugster, formerly of Musicland Stores. “I will remember her fondly as a wonderful leader and a dear friend.”

“For many in the music industry, Mickey Granberg was NARM,” said former NARM President Pam Horovitz. “Every convention, committee and newsletter had her unmistakable stamp. I had the privilege of working for Mickey and of seeing her fierce loyalty to NARM and to the music industry on a day-to-day basis. She received her share of awards and acknowledgements over a long career, but I think none was more important to her than her own scholarship fund. It’s fitting, I think, that some of her final days were spent strategizing one last campaign to raise money for scholarships. I know I speak for many when I say I was privileged to have known her.”

“Mickey, along with Pam, fought on behalf of the independent record community to allow us a slot in the rotation of product presentations in 1989,” said Pat Monaco, now Exec. VP and GM of Universal Motown Records. “It was the first independent product presentation alongside those of WEA, CEMA, CBS, PolyGram and BMG. I guess no one thought we could have pulled it off, but Mickey and Pam both did.”

“Mickey was one of a kind and she taught me a little bit about the music business and lot about life,” said David Schlang, Former NARM Board Chairman. “We will miss her.”

“Mickey was a wonderful person who led NARM with a special care for every member, says Jack Eugster, former Chairman, CEO and President of Musicland Stores. “I will always remember her very fondly as a great leader and a dear friend.”

“I joined NARM in 1974, and little did I know at the time how fortunate I would be to work with Mickey Granberg for the next 25 years,” said Stan Silverman, NARM’s former Director of Meetings and Conventions. “Mickey was a brilliant, gifted executive. The loyalty and dedication she had for NARM, she also had for her employees.”