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Mark DiDia

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Mark DiDia
Born
Edison, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations
  • Disc jockey
  • entrepreneur
  • Artist Manager
  • music executive
Years active1976–present
Musical career
Genres
Labels
  • Def American
  • Hollywood Records
  • Capitol Records
  • Columbia Records
  • Island Records
  • Geffen Records

Mark DiDia[1] is an American music executive[2] and artist advocate[1] with over 40 years of experience in the music industry. His early interest in music was influenced by his exposure to The Beatles, as well as attending a screening of A Hard Day's Night at a New Jersey drive-in theater in 1965. Growing up as the son of an electrician, DiDia developed a strong interest in radio, which eventually led him to launch his high school's radio station with his father's help. This experience played a significant role in shaping his career path.

DiDia hails from Edison, New Jersey. In 1976, he joined WTSR at The College of New Jersey (then Trenton State College), where he served as program director for three years. During his tenure, he played a key role in expanding the station's operations to a 24-hour format.

Career

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DiDia began his career in radio as music director and afternoon DJ at WMGM in Atlantic City. This role led to a position as Music Director and on-air talent at WYSP in Philadelphia.[3] At WYSP, DiDia created the popular METALSHOP show, which aired on Saturday nights and contributed to the early exposure of several notable artists, including Metallica, Mötley Crüe, and Bon Jovi.

Following his success at WYSP, DiDia was selected by Infinity Broadcasting to help launch WXRK, a new station in New York City,formerly WKTU, rebranded as K-Rock.[4] The station debuted during the weekend of the 1985 Live Aid concert, with DiDia serving as its first on-air host as well as Music Director. During his time at K-Rock,[5] he introduced audiences to new artists, including the Beastie Boys, and began his long-standing professional relationship with producer Rick Rubin.[6]

DiDia at WYSP with Ozzy Osbourne

From 1985 to 1988, DiDia served as Music Director at K-ROCK[7] before transitioning into the record industry. He joined Geffen Records at the invitation of David Geffen, serving as Head of Rock Promotion. While at Geffen, he worked with artists such as Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses,[8] Whitesnake, and Tesla, under the mentorship of co-founder Eddie Rosenblatt.

DiDia with Bon Jovi at WYSP

Later, DiDia joined Def American (which became American Recordings) as General Manager. There, he helped launch or support the careers of The Black Crowes, Danzig, Andrew Dice Clay, Sir Mix-a-Lot, and Johnny Cash. His leadership contributed to the label's prominence among independent record companies in the early 1990s.

Throughout his career, DiDia has held leadership roles at major music companies including Disney's Hollywood Records and Capitol Records,[9] where he contributed to the success of artists like Radiohead and Coldplay.[10][11] Coldplay's former manager,[10] Dave Holmes, has credited DiDia for his early support of the band at Capitol.[12] In 2007, DiDia rejoined Rick Rubin[13][14] at Columbia Records,[15] where he played a key role in signing and promoting Adele's debut album 19.[16]

DiDia has been a senior executive at Red Light Management,[17][18] one of the largest artist management firms globally.[19] In this role, he continues to support the careers of artists[20] such as The Black Crowes, Counting Crows, 3 Doors Down, and Dirty Honey.[21]

DiDia (top left) with Johnny Cash, Rick Rubin and Lou Robin

In recent years, DiDia was instrumental in the reunion of The Black Crowes. In 2021, the band launched a 30th anniversary tour for Shake Your Money Maker[22], which saw sold-out performances around the world. In 2024, under DiDia's guidance, the band released Happiness Bastards, their first studio album in nearly 15 years. The album received critical acclaim and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album.[23]

In April 2025, DiDia executive produced the 25th anniversary reissue of "Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes live at the Greek" 6LP box set.

With decades of experience in artist development, marketing, and tour promotion, DiDia has significantly influenced the careers of numerous artists and continues to play a vital role in the music industry.

From left to right: George Drakoulias, Johnny Cash, Rick Rubin, Mark DiDia, Lou Robin
DiDia backstage with Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes)
DiDia with David Lee Roth
DiDia, backstage at The Black Crowes 2024 tour with Steven Tyler and Jimmy Page
DiDia with Ronnie Wood
Year Title Company
1976 Program Director WTSR Trenton State College/NJ
1980 Music Director/On air talent WMGM/Atlantic City
1982 Music Director/On air talent WYSP/Philly
1985 Music Director/On-air talent K-Rock/NYC
1988 Head of Rock Promotion Geffen Records
1992 General Manager Def American (later American Recordings)
1998 EVP/General Manager Hollywood Records
2001 EVP/General Manager Capitol Records[24]
2007 EVP/General Manager Columbia Records[25]
2009 EVP/General Manager Island Records[26]
2011 Artist Manager Red Light Management

Awards

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41st GRAMMY Awards

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Year work Category Result Ref.
1999 They Wanted The Highway Best Long Form Music Video Nominated [1]

Bands managed

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DiDia with Jon Landau

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Mark Didia | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Oppelaar, Justin (October 24, 2001). "DiDia, Jacobson set to spin EMI day-to-day". Variety. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  3. ^ "From WTSR to repping the stars". www.tcnjmagazine.com. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  4. ^ https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/awards/bon-jovi-7800-fahrenheit-riaa-hologram-gold-sales-award-mercury-1985-/a/7201-89294.s
  5. ^ Knight, Buzz (May 30, 2022). "Takin A Walk/Episode Thirty-Five with Radio Industry Legend Mark Chernoff". Takin' A Walk Podcast. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  6. ^ The New York Times Magazine. New York Times. 2007.
  7. ^ "Dirty Honey – KZAP.ORG". K-ZAP.ORG. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  8. ^ Reynolds, Andy (November 29, 2021). The Live Music Business: Management and Production of Concerts and Festivals. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-48293-5.
  9. ^ DAVID BAUDER. "The last word from George". Cape Cod Times. Associated Press. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "'They played a tiny café... there were four people in the audience.'". Music Business Worldwide. February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  11. ^ "'They played a tiny café… there were four people in the audience.'". Music Business Worldwide. February 26, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Wood, Mikael (March 26, 2010). "OK Go: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "Columbia Records' Rick Rubin: Clueless on Grabbing Listeners By the Wallet". HuffPost. September 4, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  14. ^ "DIDIA, JACOBSON NEW CAPITOL SENIOR VPS". www.hitsdailydouble.com. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  15. ^ "Mark DiDia of Columbia Records, and attorney Chuck Ortner attend the..." Getty Images. June 3, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  16. ^ "LENNYBEERBLOG: WILL ADELE'S STUNNING DEBUT MAKE HER DUFFY'S FOIL?". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  17. ^ Courtney, Ian (November 12, 2019). "The Newly Reformed Black Crowes Sign With CAA". CelebrityAccess. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "From WTSR to repping the stars". www.tcnjmagazine.com. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  19. ^ "Didia Re-Emerges". HITS Daily Double. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  20. ^ ""You'll Never Work in Show Business Again" with Mark Didia". Spreaker. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  21. ^ dean (January 11, 2022). "At Work: Dirty Honey". Relix Media. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  22. ^ Wake, Matt (August 30, 2021). "The Black Crowes' Rich Robinson on the secrets of 'Shake Your Money Maker'". al. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  23. ^ "Mark Didia | Artist | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  24. ^ "George Harrison's last album is stunning".
  25. ^ Ed Christman Billboard (December 19, 2008). "Columbia Records' Mark DiDia exits". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  26. ^ XXL Staff (February 23, 2009). "Mark DiDia Named New EVP of Island Records - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
  27. ^ Blabbermouth (December 5, 2019). "NIKKI SIXX Slams THE BLACK CROWES Manager For Leaking MÖTLEY CRÜE Reunion On 'The Howard Stern Show'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  28. ^ Ryan, Jim. "Dirty Honey Talks About Their Unconventional Road To #1 As First Headlining Tour Gets Underway". Forbes. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
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