Saul Holiff | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1925-06-22)June 22, 1925 |
| Died | March 17, 2005(2005-03-17) (aged 79) |
| Alma mater | London Central Collegiate Institute |
| Occupation | music manager |
| Years active | 1950s – 1973 |
| Spouse | Barbara Jean Robinson (m.1964) |
| Children | Jonathan, Joshua |
| Awards | Gold Leaf Award – 'Canadian Industry Music Industry Man of the Year' |
Saul Holiff (June 22, 1925 – March 17, 2005) was a Canadian music promoter andJohnny Cash's manager for thirteen years.
Saul Holiff was born inLondon, Ontario, on June 22, 1925. He dropped out of high school, theLondon Central Collegiate Institute, when he was fifteen, and worked a variety of jobs: delivered newspapers, ran a fruit and vegetable business, drove trucks, worked as a puddler at theSteel Company of Canada, a traveling salesman, and a self-employed clothing merchant. DuringWorld War II he trained as a rear air gunner in theRoyal Canadian Air Force.
In the 1950s he performed atLondon's Grand Theatre in a variety of roles before becoming a concert promoter and manager with offices in London,Los Angeles andNashville. He promoted such acts asBill Haley and the Comets,Paul Anka andJohnny Cash[1] through smaller venues such as his own restaurant, Sol's Square Boy.
Holiff managedJohnny Cash’s career from 1960 to 1973.[2] He also managedTommy Hunter, Debbie Lori Kaye andThe Statler Brothers. In 1961 Holiff was responsible for introducing singerJune Carter into Cash's act.[3]
In 1970 Holiff won aGold Leaf Award for 'Canadian Industry Music Industry Man of the Year'. These awards were the precursor to theJuno Awards.[4]
Cash and Holiff had a tumultuous relationship, which is highlighted in the 2012 filmMy Father and the Man in Black, an award-winning documentary created by Holiff's son Jonathan.
Holiff negotiated a $75,000 settlement agreement withGordon Jenkins because of the similarity of Cash's hit "Folsom Prison Blues" to a Jenkins song.[5]
After Holiff quit as Cash's manager in 1973, he retired from show business. He enrolled at theUniversity of Victoria, and earned a bachelor's degree in history.
Holiff died by suicide on March 17, 2005, inNanaimo,British Columbia.
In 2018 he was awarded a posthumous lifetime achievement award at theForrest City London Music Awards.[6]
The Holiff family archives, which include materials related to Holiff's management of Johnny Cash and the documentaryMy Father and the Man in Black, are held at the University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections and University Archives.[7]
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