Joe Isgro (born c. 1948) is an American former record promoter and a reputed soldier in the Gambino crime family. In the 1980s, Isgro was at the center of investigations into the role of payola in the music industry. Early life Isgro was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and at the age of 19, he was presented with a Purple Heart for his bravery and wounds received during combat in the Vietnam War. His term with the Marines ended in 1968. Career Isgro's career began as local promotion director for Decca Records (which later became MCA Records). His responsibilities included record promotion of various artists for the Pennsylvania and New Jersey territories. Some of these artists included Neil Diamond, Murray Head, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sonny & Cher, The Who and Elton John. In 1970, Isgro went to work for Paramount Records as the regional promoter, working with such artists as Billy Joel, Dave Mason and The Crusaders. Isgro then went to work for Schwartz Bros., the largest independent record distributor whose clients included Motown, A&M Records, RCA Records, Chrysalis Records and Arista Records. In 1974, Roulette Records hired Joe as the National Director of Promotion. Isgro led the promotional staff and oversaw the company's publicity and advertising department. Motown Records hired Isgro in 1976 as Regional Director of Promotion. He was responsible for the promotion and development of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Lionel Richie, The Jacksons, The Commodores, Thelma Houston and Teena Marie. In the years to follow, Joe was promoted to National Director of Promotion, which brought him to California, and then to Executive Vice President of Promotion. After several years with Motown, Isgro left and became involved in the formation of EMI Records, a division of Capitol Records. Isgro was brought onto EMI to handle the promotion staff of the new label on the West Coast. In 1979, he formed Isgro Enterprises, Inc., an independent record promotion and consulting company. Isgro promoted releases for several major labels including records by artists including Michael Jackson, Culture Club, Neil Diamond, Journey, Diana Ross, Paul Young, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Hall & Oates, Barbra Streisand, The Rolling Stones, Supertramp, Kenny Rogers, Sheena Easton, Wham!, Bruce Springsteen, Kim Carnes, Chicago, Patti LaBelle, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, George Michael, Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. Isgro