A record producer, in 1955 Waronker founded a new independent label, Liberty Records. He signed such talent as Johnny Burnette (“You’re Sixteen”) Eddie Cochran (“Summertime Blues”), Jan and Dean (“Surf City”), and Julie London (“Cry Me a River”).
But perhaps his biggest record deal was with Ross Bagdasarian. Who? Bagdasarian was better known as “Dave Seville” — leader of “Alvin and the Chipmunks”. The novelty act produced “The Chipmunk Song” in 1958 featuring Dave with Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, a trio of rodents (really Bagdasarian’s speeded-up voice singing all three parts) who sang in harmony. (Simon was named after Waronker; the others were named for Liberty President Alvin Bennett, and chief recording engineer Theodore Keep.)
When the record was released it sold 4 million copies in the first month, rocketing it to Number One on the charts. Waronker “was able to recognize people who had a talent to please the public,” says songwriter Randy Newman. “He loved the Chipmunks and so did the rest of the world, but he’s the one who bet on them.” Waronker died at his home in Beverly Hills on June 7. He was 90.