[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1087-E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF MR. STEVE CHARLES POPOVICH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Steve 
Popovich, a man of immense generosity, endless energy and a lifelong 
passion for music. This passion led him to play a vital role in 
launching the careers of The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, Santana, Bruce 
Springsteen, Mac Davis, Paul Simon, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, 
Boston, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, Frankie Yankovic and Meat Loaf.
  Mr. Popovich, who was born on July 6, 1942 in Nemacolin, 
Pennsylvania, moved to Cleveland, Ohio as a teenager. While he was 
considered a music-industry insider, he also continually reached beyond 
the mainstream to promote the music and musicians he knew

[[Page E1088]]

had great promise, even when others chose to ignore them. He founded 
his own label, Cleveland International Records, which promoted one of 
the industry's biggest selling albums, Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf. 
The album was released in 1977 and remains the fifth best selling album 
worldwide.
  Mr. Popovich has been described by his colleagues and those who knew 
him best as ``a man with a big heart,'' `` a kind and generous man who 
was a mentor to so many,'' `` a man who would literally give you the 
shirt off his back,'' `` a man with a rare enthusiasm that made things 
happen'' and a man whose passing ``marks the end of an era.''
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of Mr. 
Steve Popovich, a man who spent a lifetime giving of himself, leaving 
behind a legacy of music that will be enjoyed for years to come and 
many, many friends who will miss his energy and creative enthusiasm.

                          ____________________