Walter Yetnikoff

Who is Walter Yetnikoff?

Walter Yetnikoff is an American music industry executive who was the president of CBS Records International from 1971 to 1975 and then president and CEO of CBS Records from 1975 to 1990.

During his career at CBS, he guided the careers of Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and a host of other well-known artists.

After graduating from Columbia Law School where he was an editor of the Columbia Law Review, he served in the U.S. Army from 1956 - 1958. He then was hired by the law firm Rosenman, Colin, Kaye, Petschek and Freund which represented William S. Paley and CBS.

In 1962, Yetnikoff joined CBS Records as an attorney. After serving as general counsel of the CBS Records law department, he went on to head CBS Records International which grew exponentially under his leadership.

In 1975, William Paley made him President and CEO of CBS Records. During his tenure he attracted stars like James Taylor away from Warner Music Group and went on to “preside over the most profitable and prestigious stable of artists of all time.”