The first manager of A-ha, Terry Slater, has died aged 85 as tributes as have poured in.
The Norwegian band was founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen and Morten Harket in 1982, and are best known for their hit song Take On Me.
Slater signed the group when he was a board member of record label EMI in 1983.
Band member Furuholmen paid tribute to Slater, saying: “Terry is the singularly most important person in A-ha’s music career.”
In a message on Facebook, the band wrote: “43 years ago, give or take a couple of months, Terry Slater took a chance on three scruffy, hopeful Norwegians living in London squalor with a burning ambition and some degree of talent.
“With this he pioneered what was to become the first norwegian artists to have major hits and top the charts around the world, a string of world tours from arenas to stadiums, and eventually now look back on a more than 40-year international career in music as norway’s still biggest ever international act – and not least the fact that millions of people are still enjoying the music we have had the opportunity to make.
“Terry is the singularly most important person in a-has music career. He was already a towering figure in music world when we first met, but more than just his business boldness, experience, knowhow, network etc, he became a kind of father figure and a good friend.
“He really cared. about the band, and the three of us as people, guiding us with a steady hand through the many trappings and pitfalls of success.
A-ha went on to be a chart topping success
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“He is without a doubt the person with the greatest impact on our professional lives and, I dare say, the lives of all our families.
“It is with immense sadness that we must now accept the fact that Terry has passed away.
“Thank you dear Terry – for everything. I hope you are inimitably chuckling away in some other dimension – playing bass and goofing off with your friends Phil and Don and all the other music greats who are no longer gracing us with their talent – most of whom you knew and who knew and appreciated you.
“You are missed.”
The band paid tribute to their first manager on social media
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Slater began his career as a bass player and songwriter that toured with The Everly Brothers before he took on his role at EMI.
He helped propel the likes of Queen, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush and Duran Duran to the top of the charts during his career.
He managed A-ha for 12 years. He was often referred to as the fourth member of the band.
The Facebook page for The Ed Sullivan Show, where he had performed in his days as a musician, also posted a tribute.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Slater.
“From performing and writing alongside The Everly Brothers to his influential years as an executive at EMI and manager for a-ha, Terry left an unforgettable mark on the music industry.
“His legacy lives on through the timeless songs and artists he championed.
“Rest in peace, Terry. Thank you for the music.”