May 27, 2008

By By Ed Christman, N.Y.

Stan Kaiser, a veteran music merchandiser, died of natural causes in Atlanta on May 20. He was 76.

Kaiser's career in the music business dates back to 1954 when he opened Stan's Records in New York, a store that he ran until the 1970's. He then moved over to the wholesaling side of the business by joining the Record Shack operation. While at Record Shack, Kaiser moved to the company's Atlanta operation, and in 1980 joined another Atlanta one-stop, Nova Distribution, where he eventually became VP of sales. In 1992, Kaiser signed on with Abbey Road, opening up that super one-stop's first satellite sales office in Atlanta.

"Atlanta was the best remote sales office I had, and it was all a credit to Stan's guidance, leadership and the respect Stan had with the accounts," says Bruce Ogilvie, former owner of Abbey Road and co-owner of Super D.

Kaiser, who retired in 1996, is survived by his daughters and sons-in law Debra and Neal Schwartz, Gail Van Voorhis, Sharon and Tom Lawrence; and Anne and Kevin Thomas; and 10 grand children.

Donations can be made in his name to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 400 Perimeter Center Terrace, #750 Atlanta, Ga. 30346.

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