The label was praised by other industry executives as very artist-oriented, and committed to having the music come first. They noted the quality of the label, its ability to adapt to changes in the industry and the public taste and the consistency of its management, and even the label they admired most. A&M’s people remember integrity, credibility, working hard and the wonderful associations they made. To that, Jerry Moss would add, “Have fun!”
A&M’s contributions also extended into the greater community. It established the Y.E.S. To Jobs program for inner city youths to work in many areas of the recording industry... and other labels were quick to join in their support as well. A&M studio time was donated for charity recordings including “We Are the World,” that provided relief to famine-stricken Ethiopia, and “A Very Special Christmas” for Special Olympics, which also became the biggest selling charity album project to date.
Alpert and Moss donated their company’s papers to the UCLA Music Library Special Collections, where they form an invaluable resource for the study of American popular music. The collection includes sound recordings, manuscript musical arrangements, correspondence, photographs, promotional materials, posters, gold albums, books, and collectibles.
