Magne Furuholmen has announced the death of Terry Slater, the music executive who managed a-ha for around 12 years, in a heartfelt Instagram post. The keyboardist shared a photograph of Slater with the band dressed in tuxedos and paid tribute to the man he called the most important figure in the group's career. He did not reveal a cause of death.
Slater began his career as a bass player and songwriter, touring with The Everly Brothers, before moving into executive roles at EMI, where he served as a board member, publisher, A&R executive, promoter and manager. During that time he helped propel iconic acts including Queen, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush and Duran Duran to global superstardom.
He was also credited with discovering a-ha, made up of Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and was often referred to as the fourth member of the band, whose hits include Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines on TV.
Magne Furuholmen's tribute
In his post, Furuholmen wrote: "43 years ago, give or take a couple of months, Terry Slater took a chance on three scruffy, hopeful Norwegians living in London squalor with a burning ambition and some degree of talent..."
He continued: "Terry is the singularly most important person in a-ha' s music career. He was already a towering figure in music world when we first met, but more than just his business boldness, experience, knowhow, network etc, he became a kind of father figure and a good friend.
"He really cared. about the band, and the three of us as people, guiding us with a steady hand through the many trappings and pitfalls of success. He is without a doubt the person with the greatest impact on our professional lives and, I dare say, the lives of all our families.
"It is with immense sadness that we must now accept the fact that Terry has passed away. Thank you dear Terry - for everything....You are missed. RIP Terry Slater."
Tributes from The Ed Sullivan Show and The Everly Brothers
The Facebook page for The Ed Sullivan Show, where Slater had performed in his days as a musician, also paid tribute. The page said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Slater. From performing and writing alongside The Everly Brothers to his influential years as an executive at EMI and manager for a-ha, Terry left an unforgettable mark on the music industry. His legacy lives on through the timeless songs and artists he championed. Rest in peace, Terry. Thank you for the music."
The Everly Brothers' Facebook page, run by the brothers' estate, also remembered Slater, saying: "We are devastated to learn of Terry Slater's passing. Terry was many things to the Everly Brothers - a bass player, a writing partner and a lifelong friend. He is credited for writing numerous Everly Brothers' songs including Bowling Green, Lord of the Manor and Up in Mabel's Room. In the mid 60s, the three became so close that Ike and Margaret Everly referred to Terry as their third son. We send our condolences to Terry's family."
