Music Executive Terry Slater, A‑ha’s Key Manager, Dies at 85

Terry Slater, the 85‑year‑old former bass player who toured with The Everly Brothers and later became a senior executive at EMI, has died. Over a four‑decade career he helped launch acts such as Queen, the Sex Pistols, Kate Bush and Duran Duran, and is credited with discovering and managing the Norwegian synth‑pop group A‑ha for about twelve years. Band member Magne Furuholmen described Slater as “the most important person” in A‑ha’s career and a “fourth member” of the group. Tributes highlighted his business vision, mentorship and lasting impact on 1980s pop music. Slater’s death was announced on a Wednesday, with no cause of death disclosed.