R. William “Bill” Freston, a former executive at Columbia Records who worked with superstars including The Rolling Stones and Billy Joel, died on Thursday (Feb. 20) following a “traumatic fall” on the Caribbean island of Bequia, his family announced Wednesday (Feb. 26). He was 76.
Freston began his career in the early 1970s after graduating from St. Michael’s College at the top of the decade, first with a job at free-form Boston radio station WNTN, where he rose to the role of GM. In 1973, Freston moved to New York, where he was hired at Columbia Records and went on to work with stars including Aerosmith, Janis Ian, Blue Oyster Cult and John McLaughlin, eventually rising to the role of senior vp. He later helped spearhead 1979’s Havana Jam, an event that brought together Cuban and American musicians following the Cuban Revolution.
Later in his career, Freston founded the licensed digital radio service Click Radio and helped launch mobile music streaming channel Zingy Media.
Freston was born on May 9, 1948, in New Rochelle, N.Y. to Thomas and Winifred Freston and grew up in Rowayton, Conn. Outside of his career, Freston enjoyed traveling around the world, particularly to islands, with favorite destinations including Martha’s Vineyard; Port Antonio, Jamaica; Kauai; and Bequia, where he spent his last five winters and was known by locals as “Uncle Bill.”
Freston “was very proud of and devoted to his sobriety, which he held close for 28 years… [and] selflessly helped put many others onto that path,” according to an obituary written by his brother, MTV co-founder Tom Freston.
In addition to Tom, Freston is survived by nephews Andrew and Gil. A funeral service and memorial will be held in April. Freston requested that donations be sent to Compassionate Care ALS Inc. (www.ccals.org) in memory of his best friend Thomas “Dilly” Walsh.