Irmtrud “Trudy” Meisel, a leading German label and publishing executive, has died at the age of 71.
Meisel, who had been suffering with pancreatic cancer, died in Berlin on Feb. 20, but her passing was not announced until last Friday.
Meisel was recognized as of the leading women in the music business during the 1970s, when she helmed Edition Intro and Hansa Records in Berlin.
Together with her husband Peter Meisel, the late executive signed or worked with such artists as Giorgio Moroder, Albert Hammond, Elton John, Otis Reding, Sonny & Cher, Paul Anka and Neil Sedaka.
In the many years in which she was active, she helped break such names as Boney M, Amii Stewart, Donna Summer, Roberta Kelly, Precious Wilson and Sarah Brightman.
She landed a coup in 1973 when she signed a deal for the Meisel publishing companies to administer the Beatles compositions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for a period of ten years.
In a special supplement back in 1976, Billboard wrote: “She is known to be a tough but a fair negotiator with a sure feel for what will be successful. The worldwide network of business connections she has built over the years, demonstrates her outstanding talent for dealing with people.”
Trudy and Peter divorced ten years ago but remained in close contact. Some time ago, she returned to Berlin after many years abroad.
