Derek Shulman

on both sides of the desk. Born in the United Kingdom, his introduction to the music business was as lead vocalist with sixties pop sensation Simon Dupree And The Big Sound. Signed to the Beatles’ label Parlophone, the group enjoyed TV appearances, Top 10 singles and toured Europe extensively. They even secured a talented keyboard player by the name of Reginald Dwight (Elton John) towards the latter part of their lifespan.
In 1969 he disbanded the group and in 1970 formed the influential progressive band Gentle Giant with his two brothers.
The band toured the world, garnering a vast loyal fan base as well as musical and critical acclaim. In the ten years of it’s existence the band recorded a succession of 11 albums.
The band today still enjoys a revered place in the annals of progressive rock as new and younger fans continue to discover the band’s unique musical style.
Relocating to the USA on the group’s dissolution, Derek Shulman accepted a position in 1982 with Polygram Music as Director of Promotion and Artist Development. Promoted in 1983 to Director Of A&R (Artist and Repertoire) Mr. Shulman’s first musical signing to the company was New Jersey rock group Bon Jovi, an act that would eventually sell in excess of 150 million records and generate more than one billion dollars in revenue for Polygram Music. Rising to Sr. VP A&R, Mr. Shulman continued to achieve impressive results signing and developing a succession of musical artists including Cinderella, Tears For Fears, Kingdom Come, Men Without Hats and Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
Approached in 1988 by Warner Communications CEO Mr. Steve Ross, Mr. Shulman was offered and accepted a joint venture record label, operating under the Warner Music Division, becoming president and CEO of ATCO Records. Assembling one of the industry’s finest pools of executive talent, ATCO Records achieved profitability in year two, with revenues going from a virtual start-up to a $60 million company by the end of the second year. Going