Terry Slater, the music executive who discovered and managed Norwegian pop band A-ha, has died at the age of 85. His death was announced on July 29, 2026, prompting tributes from band members who credited him with transforming their fortunes.
A-ha's Rise to Fame Under Slater's Guidance
Slater, a former EMI board member, took a chance on the then-unknown trio in 1983. A-ha, formed in 1982 by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen, and Morten Harket, achieved global superstardom with their 1985 hit 'Take On Me'. Under Slater's management, which lasted 12 years, the band signed with Warner Brothers Records and became one of the biggest acts of the 1980s.
In a heartfelt tribute, Furuholmen described Slater as the man who 'took a chance on three scruffy, hopeful Norwegians living in London squalor with a burning ambition and some degree of talent'. He credited Slater with pioneering Norwegian artists' global success, as A-ha's chart-topping hits made them Norway's biggest international act ever.
A Father Figure and Friend
'Terry is the singularly most important person in A-ha's music career,' Furuholmen declared, adding that Slater was a 'kind of father figure and good friend'. He praised Slater's impact on their professional and personal lives, saying, 'He is without a doubt the person with the greatest impact on our professional lives and, I dare say, the lives of all our families.'
Slater's influence extended beyond A-ha; he also helped launch careers of Queen, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush, and Duran Duran. His career in the music industry began in the 1960s when he joined EMI, eventually becoming a board member.
Legacy and Farewell
Furuholmen concluded his tribute with a poignant farewell: 'Thank you, dear Terry – for everything. I hope you are inimitably chuckling away in some other dimension – playing bass and goofing off with your friends Phil and Don and all the other music greats who are no longer gracing us with their talent – most of whom you knew and who knew and appreciated you.'
Terry Slater's legacy as a talent scout and manager is firmly etched in music history, having shaped the careers of some of the most iconic acts of the 20th century. His death marks the end of an era for the Norwegian band and the broader music community.
