b. Larkin Arnold Jnr., 3rd September 1942, Kansas City, Missourri, U.S.A.
Larkin Arnold is an entertainment lawyer, who has handled the affairs of many major Soul artists.
Born in Kansas, a young Larkin was raised in Phoenix, Arizona.
Earning a degree from the American University in Washington during 1966, he graduated from Howard University Law School three years later.
Larkin was originally a young attorney before being switched internally at Capitol Records to start a Soul music division in 1970.
He was one of the first African Americans to do so at the time, and was employed as a Staff Attorney, a role he maintained until 1974.
Larkin was then promoted to become the Vice President of Capitol Records.
Here he enlisted artists such as Peabo Bryson, Natalie Cole, Freda Payne, Caldera, Eddie Henderson, The Sylvers, Tavares and Nancy Wilson amongst others.
inseperable - 1977 / midnight love - 1982
Natalie Cole arrived in 1975, and two years later, Larkin served as the Executive Producer for Caldera's record 'Sky Island'.
As an Executive Producer, Larkin has worked with Peabo Bryson (I'm So Into You'), Natalie Cole (I'm Ready' & 'This Will Be'), Enchantment ('Enchanted Lady') and Hiroshima ('Hiroshima', 'Odori' & 'Third Generation').
In 1977 he signed Frankie Beverly and Maze (who were at one time Marvin Gaye's backing band. Marvin gave the group their name).
Speaking in 1978 regarding his work at Capitol, Arnold stated 'Personally speaking, music is better today than it has ever been and it will continue to be that way as long as it progresses'.
In 1978, he left Capitol Records relocating to the Arista Records imprint, where he remained for two years, running the West Coast office.
In 1980, he had moved on to the CBS/Sony set-up, where he was given the task of marketing and promotion of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' album, and collaborated with several other artists including Teena Marie, Luther Vandross, Surface, Peabo Bryson and The Reflections.
Perhaps Larkin's main claim to fame was the work he undertook alongside the late Marvin Gaye.
midnight love credits - 1982
Whilst Marvin's career was on hold during 1982, Larkin was responsible for one of Marvin's biggest releases 'Sexual Healing'.
Larkin Arnold was also responsible for Marvin's later releases 'Dream Of A Lifetime', 'Romantically Yours' as well as the album that contained the single 'Midnight Love'.
In 1988, Larkin created his company Arnold & Associates, a management team in the record industry.
He chairs the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association and is a former member of the Los Angeles Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Other activities include being a Los Angeles Zoo Commissioner, and a Trustee for the United Negro College Fund Ladders of Hope Program.
Larkin also won the NAACP Executive of the Year Award.
He is married to Cynthia Arnold and is the father of three children.
