Orrin Hatch: “I wanted to take a moment to note the passing of Timothy White, who was the editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine until…”

“I wanted to take a moment to note the passing of Timothy White, who was the editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine until he died unexpectedly a few weeks ago, leaving a wife and two young sons. He has been honored by many throughout the music industry, particularly for his trumpeting of new, not yet famous artists, working to give them space in a medium generally reserved for the already successful. We worked with Tim on artists' rights issues, such as work-for-hire, during my tenure as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. His efforts on behalf of all artists will be remembered. Looking to boost artists whom he felt deserved more attention, he wrote, ``At its high end, rock `n' roll can periodically fill in the hollows of this faithless era--especially when the music espouses values that carry the ring of emotional candor.'' I share the hope that true artists who offer a lift to their listeners from the weight of the world will be found by those seeking the joy and inspiration music can offer, and note with sadness the passing of a friend of that cause, as I also join my friends in the music industry in extending our condolences and best wishes at this difficult time to Tim's wife and sons. I trust they will find Tim's legacy a source of pride and solace in the coming months and years.”