Simon Waronker
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Simon "Si" Waronker (1915 – June 7, 2005) was a violinist and record producer from Los Angeles, California. Graduating from high school at 13 years old, he won a scholarship to study music in France.
Waronker began to establish his music career in Germany, but was forced to return to the U.S. when Nazi Party members began to threaten Jews. From 1939 to 1955, Waronker recorded music for 20th Century Fox films. He then chose to enter the recording industry independently, co-founding Liberty Records and serving as its chairman. The first artist he signed was popular singer Julie London.
One of the major acts who recorded on Liberty Records was Alvin and the Chipmunks, actually Ross Bagdasarian Sr., who recorded as David Seville. Seville named the chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore, after Liberty Records executives: Alvin Bennett, Simon Waronker, and Theodore Keep.
In 1963, facing health problems, Waronker sold his interest in Liberty to the electronics firm Avnet.
Waronker is also known for lending his name to the character of Simon from The Chipmunks.
Record producer Lenny Waronker is Simon's son. His grandchildren include musicians Joey Waronker and Anna Waronker.
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