Tracy Zamot, Veteran Publicist for Atlantic, Virgin and Motown Records and Pandora, Dies at 55

The music industry is mourning the loss of Tracy Zamot, a veteran publicist who died at 55 after a long illness. A graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, Zamot launched her career in 1992 at Atlantic Records, where she rose from a tour publicist to vice president over a decade. Her work there placed her at the center of rock history, as she managed publicity for seminal acts including Matchbox 20, Rob Thomas, and the legendary bands Genesis and Led Zeppelin, collaborating directly with members like Phil Collins, Jimmy Page, and Robert Plant.

Zamot's career mirrored the industry's own evolution. In 2001, she followed former Atlantic colleague Jason Flom to Virgin Records, overseeing campaigns for diverse artists such as Lenny Kravitz, the animated collective Gorillaz, and punk icon Iggy Pop. After a subsequent role at Universal Motown, she successfully pivoted to the digital sphere, joining music streaming pioneer Pandora Radio in 2015 for a nearly three-year tenure before a brief stint at SiriusXM. This move highlighted her unique value as a connector between the traditional label system and the new streaming economy, a transition many of her peers struggled to navigate.

Following years as an independent consultant, Zamot dedicated her later efforts to music education, joining the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in 2022. Colleagues universally describe her as a formidable and witty professional whose sharp insight was balanced by genuine warmth and an unforgettable laugh. As one longtime friend and industry peer noted, "Tracy had an encyclopedic knowledge of the business but never lost her passion for the artists. She could navigate a corporate meeting and a backstage green room with equal skill and authenticity."

Her passing is a second profound loss for her family; her husband, John Loscalzo, a broadcasting executive who worked at CBS Radio and MTV, died in 2015 at age 52. The couple, married for 26 years, is survived by their teenage daughter. Zamot's legacy is etched into the narratives of countless iconic musicians, marking the passing of a professional who guided artists through decades of change with both expertise and profound personal integrity.