Simone Bosé, President of Universal Music Iberian Peninsula, Dies at 51


Simone Bosé, the recently-appointed president of Universal Music Iberian Peninsula, has died from complications from pneumonia. He was 51.
Bosé was a much-liked, and well respected, exec in the European recorded music business. When his return to Universal was announced on Oct. 1, his boss Jesús Lopez (chairman and CEO of Universal Music Latin America and Iberian Peninsula) said: “Simone represents the very best in creative leadership and business management."

The new position at Universal Music was a sort of homecoming for Bosé, who served at the company’s Mercury label in Spain from 1992 to 1999. During that stint, he held posts as director of A&R and marketing, director of international exploitation and managing director.

After Bosé left Universal in 1999, he went on to become a founding partner in independent music company BajaMusic. He joined EMI as GM of EMI Music Spain in 2004, and was elevated in 2009 to chairman of EMI Music Spain and Portugal. During his time with EMI, he oversaw the development of artists like Bebe and Pablo Alborán. Following the merger of EMI and Warner, he was appointed chairman of Parlophone.

In September Bosé announced he was leaving his role as chairman of Parlophone Spain. Just days later, Universal announced its key new hire.