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\n\tGale Sparrow, the former executive who led MTV\u2019s talent and artist relations team during the cable television channel\u2019s golden years, died Sunday (March 31) following a battle with lung cancer. She was 74. <\/p>\n
\n\tBorn Jan. 20, 1950, Sparrow began her career in the music business at CBS\/Epic Records in 1976. <\/p>\n
\n\tFive years later, in 1981, she was recruited to join MTV\u2019s startup team. MTV switched on in August of that year and started a revolution, one that facilitated a change in the way music was consumed, and how artists and labels presented their music. <\/p>\n
\n\tSparrow played her part in that sea change, initially as the talent coordinator. As MTV\u2019s presence and network grew, so did Sparrow\u2019s duties, with a promotion to director of talent and artist relations.<\/p>\n
\n\tMTV helped launch, and relaunch, countless careers. Sparrow worked with all of them. Tina Turner<\/a>\u2019s remarkable solo comeback in the mid-\u201980s can be attributed, in part, to the late singer\u2019s support from MTV, and savvy guidance from artist manager Roger Davies. Speaking with Billboard<\/a><\/em> in 2023 following the Rock Hall inducted legend\u2019s passing on May 24 at 83, Sparrow recalled Turner as the \u201chottest ticket in town,\u201d who \u201cjust wowed everybody\u201d in person. \u201cShe just was a sparkle. She had that spark in her eye,\u201d Sparrow remembered. \u201cTina gave MTV a kind of second jolt of excitement. It was a whole different persona as an artist: She could have been your best friend. Everybody felt comfortable around her. You don\u2019t have to please her.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAs news spread of Sparrow\u2019s passing, friends and former colleagues paid tribute to the exec and her work. Sparrow was \u201can integral and passionate part of the original team that launched MTV \u2014and many of those legendary artist moments were directly her contributions,\u201d comments Bob Pittman, former CEO of MTV Networks and co-founder and programmer who led the team that created MTV. \u201cThat voice, laugh, and the wickedly mischievous smile will be missed\u2026.one of a kind.\u201d The 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards \u201cwere in memory of her,\u201d Pittman says.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt in my mind they needed someone up there in rock \u2018n\u2019 roll heaven to handle talent and artist relations,\u201d remarks MTV co-founder Les Garland. \u201cAfter all the years, I\u2019ve never felt closer to Gale than these past three years. Indeed, we all have Gale Sparrow stories, galore. Please let them bring a smile and a grateful feeling to your soul. RIP \u2018Sparrow\u2019, I will miss those phone calls! #Love #Respect.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tSparrow died peacefully at her home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, according to reps. <\/p>\n \n\tNo funeral is planned at this time per Sparrow\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n