Nationwide — Tony Rose, acclaimed book publisher, pioneering music executive, Vietnam War veteran, and co-founder of the influential Boston Black music scene, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born Conant Burleigh Rose in Boston, Massachusetts, “Tony” Rose was raised in the Whittier Street Housing Projects in Roxbury. After serving in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Air Force, Rose studied at the University of Massachusetts, the University of California at Los Angeles, and the New England Conservatory of Music.
Rose was a respected figure in both music and publishing, known for his visionary leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and unwavering commitment to African American culture and community.
In the late 1970s, Rose launched his storied career in the music industry. Starting as a production assistant at Burbank Studios and moving quickly through the ranks at WEA and RCA Records, he established himself as a skilled A&R executive and talent promoter. Rose was instrumental in helping Boston R&B group The Energetics (later known as Planet Patrol) sign with Atlantic Records and securing a singles deal for Maurice Starr at RCA for the hit “Bout Time I Funk You, Baby.”
Rose’s deep collaboration with Maurice Starr and Michael Jonzun helped catalyze what would become known as the Boston Black Music Scene—a movement that gave rise to global acts like New Edition, New Kids on the Block, The Jonzun Crew, and Prince Charles and the City Beat Band. Rose managed and produced the latter, releasing several acclaimed albums, including Gang War (1980), Stone Killers (1982), and Combat Zone (1984), which earned Gold status and international acclaim.
In 1982, Rose made history as the first African American production company owner to sign a production deal with Virgin Records through his label, Solid Platinum Records and Productions. His work as a producer and engineer earned him Gold and Platinum album certifications and Ampex Golden Reel Awards, particularly for his work with New Kids on the Block.
In the late 1980s, Rose launched Hit City Recording Studio in Boston, which recorded a wide range of hip-hop and R&B artists before being sold to Maurice Starr in 1990. Around this time, he also produced Dance Slam, a youth-oriented TV dance show pilot showcasing local Boston talent.
In addition to his impact on music, Rose was a trailblazer in publishing. In 1996, he founded Amber Books. Over nearly three decades, Amber Books and its sister company Quality Press (headed by his wife, Yvonne) published more than 1,000 titles. His literary achievements were recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature in 2013.
Rose authored several books, including Before the Legend: The Rise of New Kids on the Block and a Guy Named Maurice Starr (2011), America: The Black Point of View (2015), and The Autobiography of an American Ghetto Boy (2016). In 2004, he co-founded The African American Pavilion at BookExpo America, creating a platform for thousands of Black publishers and industry professionals. He also led humanitarian efforts, such as organizing the Katrina Literary Collective, which donated more than 90,000 books to Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Tony Rose’s profound legacy lives on through the books he authored, the artists he mentored, and the communities he helped uplift. His life’s work is archived at the University of Massachusetts Boston and documented in numerous interviews and videos available online.
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