Joe Cuoghi

American record store owner, record company executive and producer, born May 15, 1922; died July 13, 1970, in Memphis, Tennessee (age 48).

Last name pronounced so that it rhymes with "boogie."

Opened a record store in Memphis in 1946, Poplar Tunes, with John Novarese. In 1957, co-founded (with Ray Harris) and was president of the Hi Records label (named after himself).

Was A&R chief and producer for Hi; partner in Poplar Tunes Music Service juke box operation; partner in Royal Recording Studios; president of BMI-affiliated Jec Publishing Corporation.