The sudden passing of Rob Stone, co-founder of music publication The Fader and marketing firm Cornerstone Agency, has left artists and creatives in mourning online. Stone, who passed away at the age of 55 after a private battle with cancer on June 24th, was memorialized by his longtime business partner Jon Cohen.
Cohen expressed his deep love for Stone and their incredible partnership over the years. Despite the inevitable challenges they faced, their friendship and respect for each other allowed them to build a successful company for 28 years. The impact they had on the music industry was beyond what they had ever imagined when they were just teenagers.
In 1999, Stone and Cohen launched The Fader, a publication that featured countless music acts on its covers over the years, including Drake, Billie Eilish, Young Thug, Nicki Minaj, James Blake, and many more. Funkmaster Flex was the first DJ to be featured on the cover, highlighting the diversity of talent the magazine showcased.
The Fader expanded into side projects such as Fader Films and Fader Fort, which took place at the annual music festival SXSW. Stone’s vision for the publication was complemented by his development of a music marketing agency with Steve Rifkind, the founder of Loud Records, back in 1996.
The legacy of Rob Stone lives on through the impact he made on the music industry and the friendships he formed along the way. His passion for music and his dedication to showcasing diverse talent will continue to inspire artists and creatives for years to come.