Jerry Heller, at 75; former N.W.A manager . By Sandy Cohen Associated
Press . LOS ANGELES - Jerry Heller, the music manager who helped
introduce gangsta rappers N.W.A to the masses, died Friday. He was 75.
His cousin, Gary Ballen, said Mr. Heller died at a hospital in Thousand
Oaks, Calif., after suffering a heart attack while driving earlier in
the day. Mr. Heller cofounded Ruthless Records with Eazy-E, which
released N.W.A's seminal album "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988,
launching the West Coast gangsta rap movement. Ruthless was also behind
such artists as J.J. Fad, Michel'le, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Actor
Paul Giamatti played the veteran music manager in last year's hit film
"Straight Outta Compton. Mr. Heller sued the film's producers for
defamation after its release, claiming it portrayed him as a villain.
Ballen said his cousin was "always kind of tormented" by his parting
with Eazy and the label. In 2006, Mr. Heller released "Ruthless: A
Memoir," which Ballen said was being adapted for the screen. Mr. Heller
had a history of heart problems and suffered from diabetes. Born in
Ohio, Mr. Heller started his career in the 1960s as an agent and
promoter, working with such acts as Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, and
Creedence Clearwater Revival. He set up Elton John's first US
performance, Ballen said. Ballen remembered how excited Mr. Heller was
to play him a cassette of N.W.A's early tracks. "He said, 'You watch,
this is going to be the biggest music ever. This is going to take over
rock 'n' roll,' " Ballen recalled. "Jerry was a real visionary. Besides
Ballen, Mr. Heller leaves a brother and a nephew.
