Legendary music businessman Frank DiLeo died today (8/24) following a lengthy illness. He was 63 and is best known as Michael Jackson’s manager during the pinnacle of the star’s career in the 1980s. DiLeo resumed the role in the months leading up to Jackson’s death, and continued working for his estate following the star’s passing.

DiLeo grew to industry prominence after being tapped by another legend, Walter Yetnikoff, to lead Epic’s promotion division, where the younger exec was an outspoken advocate for independent radio promotion, and helped build the careers of Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Culture Club, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, Gloria Estefan and REO Speedwagon.

DiLeo’s work at Epic led to his management role with Jackson, during which he guided the singer through his post-Thriller skyrocketing career, including the monumental Bad World Tour, movie Moonwalker, and classic Pepsi commercials/endorsement deal.

In January 2007, he formed the Nashville based Dileo Entertainment Group and worked with singer-songwriter Galen Griffin and other new talents. He was a 2008 graduate of Leadership Music.

DiLeo also acted in famed mobster flick Goodfellas.

The Nashville Scene was the first media outlet to report DiLeo’s passing, and also featured him in a 2007 cover story.

Multi-instrumentalist Hunter Hayes will release his debut self-titled album on Atlantic Records October 11.

The young artist from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, co-produced it with Dann Huff, and played every instrument. Included among the 12 tracks of Hunter Hayes are his current single “Storm Warning,” which is climbing the charts. Full track list below.

In addition to his own music, Hayes has also co-written songs for artists such as Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry and shared the stage with Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and more. He just wrapped up his stint on Taylor Swift’s Speak Now World Tour 2011 and made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He’s now planning his fall Most Wanted tour.

Hunter Hayes Track Listing:
1. Storm Warning
2. Wanted
3. If You Told Me To
4. Love Makes Me
5. Faith
6. Somebody’s Heartbreak
7. Rainy Season
8. Cry
9. Somebody But Me
10. What You Gonna Do
11. More Than I Should
12. All You Ever

• • • Restructuring continues at Sony Music Entertainment following Doug Morris joining the company as CEO. A new regime was announced this week for RCA’s pop/rock division, resulting in the exit of about 20 staffers, including numerous VPs, according to Billboard.
• • • Hits from Aerosmith’s back catalog will be coming to iTunes, thanks to an agreement between Apple and Columbia Records reported this morning by The New York Post. The deal covers songs from 1973-1987, such as “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.” They will be released digitally for the first time on Sept. 6. Flamboyant frontman Steven Tyler has given the band’s career a recent resurgence due to his gig on American Idol.
Music from The Beatles debuted on iTunes in November 2010 after a long hold-out. Others still fighting the release of individual tracks through the digital giant include Garth Brooks and Kid Rock.
• • • Toxicology reports on the late singer Amy Winehouse show no illegal drugs were in her system when she died, but did find alcohol. It is unclear if legally obtained drugs were also found. The report was inconclusive about cause of death. More information is expected in October.