Robert L. Rooks

Personal Background

Robert Rooks is a producer, writer, entrepreneur, and international businessman. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America, he attended Catholic grade school there and subsequently graduated from Central High School. After graduating form High School, Mr. Rooks continued his education through a host of extension classes relating to the entertainment and the broadcasting industries and received instruction in the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Additionally, he attended classes at Mississippi State University studying real estate.

Career

In the late sixties into the early seventies, Mr. Rooks started his career as a record promoter specializing in comedy and gospel. One of the first artistes he promoted was Al Green in 1968. In 1970 Mr. Rooks was engaged to promote for Candy Apple Production Company of Toronto, Canada and was given geographic responsibility for the United States market west of the Mississippi River (including Hawaii). His responsibilities included liaising with over two hundred (200) radio stations on behalf of the artistes he represented. His success in the market led to his representing the Candy Apple Production Company, in consulting with the Government of Canada on the financing of music production companies.

In 1972 Mr. Rooks moved to Cadet Records and Kent Records. He promoted numerous artistes including, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Count Basie and Ike & Tina Turner. In 1974, he joined ABC Records, where he promoted the Gospel Label and later went on to represent comedy artistes, such as Redd Foxx and Rudy Ray Moore ("Dolemite"). Mr. Rooks created history when, for the first time, two albums by one comedy artiste (Rudy Ray Moore) were on the Billboard Chart at the same time. As his prominence grew, Mr. Rooks started to promote and produce rap artists such as Curtis Blow, the originator of hip hop. Mr. Rooks thus, himself, became one of the founders of rap and hip-hop. Mr. Rooks growing stature in the Music Industry, earned for him the reputation of a skilled troubleshooter, working as an independent consultant to mend relationships between radio stations, artistes and record labels.

In 1977, wanting to become involved in the Movie Industry and independent in the Music Industry, Mr. Rooks started his own production company, Applejuice Productions, and sought to raise his own capital. He utilized his studies in real estate and recognised the then existing opportunity in Los Angeles to redevelop a number of brick buildings which had suffered earthquake damage. Grasping that unique opportunity, Applejuice Productions acquired about thirty (30) buildings in Los Angeles, retrofitted them and profited form the investment.

With his newfound funds, the savvy entrepreneur began producing movies with Rudy Ray Moore, creating such films as "Disco Godfather" (1980) and "Just My Luck" (1984) . In 1989 when Applejuice Productions required additional working capital, the company moved into the Central California Fresno real estate market and acquired buildings for redevelopment in the downtown mall and skyline area for redevelopment. This enabled the company to finance its foray into television with the creation of the sit-com pilot, "Kings Pawn".

In 1991, International Synergy Holding Company recruited Mr. Rooks as its International Director to set up mergers and acquisitions (M&A). One of these acquisitions was the offshore company United Assurance Company, Ltd., which provides insurance cover in respect of high risks, such as entertainment. Recently International Synergy has acquired the television stations KGBN, of Oklahoma and WGBI of Maine.

Philanthropy

Over the years, Mr. Robert Rooks as an entrepreneur, has given time and funds to causes which support the community. He treasures his involvement with organizations such as the United Nations, NAACP, Independent Community Bankers of America, and the BAPAC (Black American Political Association of California).

Filmography

• King's Pawn (1999)
• Just My Luck (1984)
• Disco Godfather (1979)

External links

• Rooks, Robert. "Producer". IMDb.
• Rooks, Robert. "Writer". IMDb.