Joseph “Corb” Donohue, 66

Was Music Executive and Passionate Surfer

Joseph Corbett “Corb” Donohue, Jr. passed away on October 5 with his family by his side, after a two-year battle with lymphoma. He was 66. Corb was born in New York City on February 10, 1941, to Mary and Joseph Corbett Donohue, Sr. The family moved to California and found its way to Santa Monica Canyon when Corb was 6 years old. He discovered surfing there, in his early teens, and this was his true passion throughout his life. After attending the Cate School in Carpenteria and graduating from UC Berkeley, Corb started his career as a production assistant on the Steve Allen Show, and as a producer for both KHJ-TV and Norman Gerard Productions. He went on to serve in the Peace Corps as a public information director. Corb became deeply involved with civil rights and anti-war movements in the 1960s. He was passionate in his stance for non-violence and world peace. With business partner Jerry Hopkins, Corb opened The Headquarters in Westwood, before returning to entertainment as the music editor at Daily Variety and subsequent executive positions at Electra Records, ABC/Dunhill, A&M Records and Motown. He also wrote, produced and coordinated talent for a syndicated international urban music TV show. Corb was instrumental in starting the careers of many music superstars, among them Phil Ochs, Jim Croce and Jimmy Buffett, who also became a life-long friend. Jimmy, hearing of Corb’s passing moments before taking the stage at a concert in Hawaii on October 5, dedicated the performance to Corb and his family. In recent years, Corb operated Donohue Marketing Communications, an artist development consulting firm for such companies as Margaritaville Records, Corona Beer, the Surfrider Foundation, the Gorbachev Foundation, Bosnia Children’s Foundation, and major action sportswear companies. He was also director of marketing for Sydney’s TV Shopping Network, providing planning and execution of all print, advertising and promotions in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. In later years, he served as marketing director for Tom Pezman & Associates and Silverback Wireless. Ironically, Corb’s last job was as public relations manager for Roy’s Beachwear, promoting their first new clothing line in over 30 years. The Santa Monica Canyon shop sold Corb his first pair of surf trunks when he was a teenager in the ’50s. Throughout Corb’s life, surfing remained a vital part of his personal and professional life. In his youth, he worked in surf shops. Later, he would write for Surfer magazine and travel the world surfing places like Costa Rica, Hawaii and Australia. While working for Quiksilver, one of Corb’s proudest moments was to act as marketing director in staging the first Eddie Aikau Men Who Ride Mountains surfing competition, the most prestigious big-wave surfing competition in the world. Corb also served on the advisory board of the National Surfrider Foundation, and was active locally in the protection and preservation of the ocean and beaches. Corb is survived by his brother, Michael; his daughter, Jessica; and two step-children, Daniela and Payson.