Tommy Mottola

Mottola was born in the Bronx, New York City, to a middle-class Italian-American family. He graduated from Iona Grammar School in 1962 and Iona Prep in 1966. After a brief period in military school, he attended high school and later Hofstra University on Long Island. However, he dropped out of Hofstra to pursue a music career as a guitarist and singer with The Exotics, an R&B cover band.

Mottola entered the music industry in the mid-1960s as a recording artist for CBS Records, performing under the name "T.D. Valentine." When his recording career did not achieve commercial success, he shifted into music management. He began working for Chappell Publishing, where he connected with various artists, and later established his own management company, Champion Entertainment Organization.

One of Mottola’s early successes was managing Daryl Hall & John Oates, helping them secure a record deal and endorsements.^{[citation needed]}

Mottola managed the black rock group Xavion, leveraging new media formats such as music videos and promotional tours to boost their visibility.

In 1988, Mottola was hired by Sony Music Entertainment (then known as CBS Records) by Walter Yetnikoff to run its United States operations. In 1990, he succeeded Yetnikoff as chairman and CEO of the newly renamed Sony Music. During his tenure, Sony Music expanded its operations to over 60 countries and became the first major music company to offer digital downloads commercially. By 2000, Sony Music's annual revenue exceeded $6 billion.

Mottola signed and promoted the artists Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, CoCo Lee, Jessica Simpson, Destiny's Child, the Dixie Chicks, and Shakira. He also oversaw the release of digitally remastered compact discs of recordings by artists including Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Andy Williams, and Pink Floyd.

Mottola also worked with Michael Jackson during the production and promotion of Jackson's Dangerous album. However, their professional relationship deteriorated during the promotion of Jackson's 2001 album Invincible. Jackson accused Mottola of exploitative practices and labeled him a "racist who exploited black talent."

Mottola served as the head of Sony Music Entertainment until January 2003. Following his departure, he established a new entertainment company encompassing recorded music, television production, theater, fashion, and branding management. The company was involved in reviving and managing the careers of artists such as Marc Anthony and Lindsay Lohan. Later, Mottola expanded his roster to include the artists Cassie Ventura and Mika.

In a joint venture with Universal Music Group, Mottola revived Casablanca Records. Under this venture, he signed artists Lindsay Lohan and Mika.

In January 2013, Mottola published his memoir, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music, co-written with Cal Fussman. The book offers insights into his career, the music industry, and his relationships with artists.

Mottola began dating Mariah Carey while she was recording Mariah Carey, and they were married at the Episcopal Saint Thomas Church in New York City on June 5, 1993, in a half-million dollar ceremony. The newlyweds moved into a custom-built mansion, located on a 51-acre (21 ha) estate in Bedford, New York, referred to by Carey as “Sing Sing” (alluding to her feeling imprisoned there). Their relationship began to deteriorate due to their growing creative differences in terms of her music. They separated in December 1996 and announced it publicly on May 30, 1997. The couple divorced on March 4, 1998, and shortly afterwards, they sold their home to Nelson Peltz for $20.5 million; it burned down in 1999.

Mottola married Thalía on December 2, 2000. The couple have two children, a daughter born in October 2007 and a son born in June 2011.

• City of Hope Spirit of Life Award (1990): Recognizing his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the City of Hope's mission.
• Billboard Power Player of the Year (1993): Acknowledging his influence and leadership in the music industry.
• TJ Martell Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year: Honoring his commitment to supporting cancer, leukemia, and AIDS research.
• National Italian American Foundation, Honoree: Celebrating his achievements and contributions as a prominent figure of Italian-American heritage.
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2019): A testament to his enduring impact and legacy in the world of entertainment.

• Hall & Oates' song "Gino (The Manager)", from the duo's album Daryl Hall & John Oates (1975), was written about Mottola. The record jacket insert reads: "And introducing Tommy Mottola as 'Little Gino'".
• The character of Gene Balboa, in the Channel 101 Internet TV series Yacht Rock, is loosely based on Mottola, in particular his time as Hall & Oates' manager.
• In The Sopranos season 4 episode 2, No Show, Janice says “Tommy Mottola at Sony, looks like he's gonna offer us a deal." Later in the same episode Tony states "That Tommy Mottola is one slow motherfucker"
• In JAY-Z's song "Success" featuring Nas, track 12 from his studio album American Gangster, Nas mentions "Mottola" in the last line of his third verse. "Up your catalog, dog, mine's worth too much. Like Mike Jacks ATV pub, Mottola can't touch. Let this bitch breathe! (Ha heh)"

• Mottola, Tommy, A New America: How Music Reshaped the Culture and Future of a Nation and Redefined My Life (Celebra, 2016) ISBN 0451467787.
• Mottola, Tommy with Cal Fussman, Hitmaker: The Man and His Music (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2013) ISBN 978-0446585187.
• Tosches, Nick, Dangerous Dances: The Authorized Biography (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984) ISBN 0283991895.