LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) – Epic Records chairman and CEO Sylvia Rhone will receive City of Hope’s 2019 Spirit of Life Award.
California-based City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Its music, film and entertainment industry group was founded in 1973 and has since raised over $124 million for the organization.
“City of Hope is proud to honor Sylvia Rhone for her passion, her ability to inspire others, and her collaborative and inclusive leadership,” said Robert Stone, president and CEO of City of Hope, in a statement. “A visionary leader of extraordinary character, she has blazed a trail across the music industry, and we are excited to recognize her outstanding work with our most prestigious philanthropic award.”
“I’m honored to receive The Spirit of Life Award and proud to be included in such a distinguished group of past honorees,” Rhone said in a statement. “City of Hope’s extraordinary commitment and an unparalleled approach to cancer and diabetes research and discovery of life-changing medical breakthroughs has impacted so many lives. I’m humbled to become part of such a heartfelt, inspiring mission and personally gratified to support its groundbreaking vision.”
The announcement comes just one week after Sony Music Entertainment promoted Rhone to chairman and CEO of Epic Records, where she had served as president since 2014. During her time at Epic, Rhone has guided multiple artists to the top of the charts, including Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, 21 Savage, Future, DJ Khaled, French Montana, Meghan Trainor and others.
Over the course of an acclaimed career spanning more than four decades, Rhone has become regarded as one of the most influential female executives in the history of the music business. She has helmed senior positions at all three major record companies and was the first woman ever to serve as chairman of a record company, holding that title at Elektra for a decade.
Previous honorees of The Spirit of Life Award include Mo Ostin, Clive Davis, Quincy Jones, Frances W. Preston, and Warner/Chappell CEO Jon Platt.
The award will be presented to Rhone at a gala dinner in the fall.
