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A2IM Pays Tribute to Horst Weidenmüller, A True Independent Music Leader

Horst Weidenmueller Dead: !K7 Founder Was 60
Horst Weidenmueller Courtesy of !K7

It is with deep sadness that we at A2IM acknowledge the passing of Horst Weidenmüller, a visionary leader and tireless advocate for the independent music sector.
As the founder and CEO of !K7 Music, Horst shaped one of the most influential independent music companies of the past four decades, leaving an indelible mark on our industry. His passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to independent music were evident in everything he did.
Beyond his work with !K7, Horst played a crucial role in strengthening the global independent sector. His leadership as a long-standing board member of IMPALA and Merlin, helped champion the rights and visibility of independent music worldwide. He was a driving force behind key initiatives that supported sustainability, inclusion, and the fair valuation of independent music rights.
The A2IM team and board extend our heartfelt condolences to Horst’s family and the !K7 team.
– Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, President and CEO of A2IM
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About A2IM

A2IM is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization headquartered in New York City that exists to support and strengthen the independent recorded music sector. Membership currently includes a broad coalition of over 600 Independently-owned American music labels. A2IM represents these independently owned small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) interests in the marketplace, in the media, on Capitol Hill, and as part of the global music community. In doing so, it supports a key segment of America's creative class that represents America's diverse musical and cultural heritage. Billboard Magazine identified the Independent music label sector as 37.32 percent of the music industry's U.S. recorded music sales market in 2016 based on copyright ownership, making Independent labels collectively the largest recorded music industry sector.