Donald K. Tarlton
Donald Ross Tarlton CM (12 May 1943 – 13 April 2026) was a Canadian record producer and promoter. He promoted many concerts and Canadian musicians under the name Donald K.
Donald K. Tarlton
- Name
- Donald K.
- Born
- 12 May 1943
- Birthplace
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Died
- 13 April 2026
- Occupation
- Record producer, promoter
- Nationality
- Canada
- Education
- Sir George Williams University
- Honours
- Member of the Order of Canada
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Donald K. Tarlton • Honorific Suffix — CM • Alias — Donald K. Donald • Born — 12 May 1943 • Birthplace — Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Died — 13 April 2026 • Occupation — Record producer, promoter • Label — Last Gang Records, Aquarius
Early life and education
Early life and education
Tarlton graduated from Rosemere High School in the Laurentian area and then attended Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University). His interest in entertainment promotion began in his youth.
Career
Career
In 1966, Tarlton founded Donald K. Donald Productions, a concert promotion and booking company. Tarlton was one of several people who founded the Montreal-based Aquarius Records, noted for artists such as April Wine, Corey Hart and Sum 41. Tarlton was also an occasional theatre promoter in the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Black and Blue and Tango Argentino. In 1998, Tarlton founded the music industry promotion company Le Groupe DKD and founded several new music labels.
Death
Death
Tarlton died from Parkinson's disease on 13 April 2026, at the age of 82.
Awards and recognition
• 1982: Félix Award, Producer of the Year • 1989: Tony Awards, Nomination, Best Musical "Black and Blue" • 2000: Appointed Member of the Order of Canada • 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal • 2007: Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award, presented at the Juno Awards • 2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal • 2015: SOCAN Special Achievement Award
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Donald K. Tarlton, revision 1352075106 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Larry LeBlanc. Promoter Tarlton Turns to New Labels in Canada. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 39–. 8 January 2000. 0006-2510.
- 2.Brownstein, Bill. Brownstein: Legendary promoter Donald K. Donald loved music, and loved Montreal even more. Montreal Gazette. 14 April 2026.
- 3.Wheeler, Brad. Impresario Donald Tarlton brought the world’s biggest acts to Montreal. The Globe and Mail. 30 April 2026.
- 4.Mr. Donald K. Tarlton. Governor-General of Canada.
- 5.Mr. Donald K. Tarlton. Governor-General of Canada.
- 6.Donald K. Tarlton. Governor-General of Canada.
- 7.2016 SOCAN Awards | SOCAN.
- 8.Rioux, Christian. Donald, Donald K. Encyclopedia of Music in Canada. Historica Canada. 2013.
- 9.The Right Honourable Adrienne Louise Clarkson. Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 134, No. 40. Governor General of Canada. Canada Gazette. Government House. 5 (3069 Canada Gazette). 30 September 2000.
- 10.The Right Honourable Adrienne Louise Clarkson. Donald K. Tarlton, C.M. Governor General of Canada.
- 11.Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Juno Awards Database. junoawards.ca.
References
Citations
References
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Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 30 August 2026.
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