The Brewing Dynasty Behind Downtown Music's Rise

The board of directors of Downtown Music Holdings is exploring a sale of the nearly 20-year-old music company, in part because the family of its longtime backer, the late Sir Douglas Myers, is considering winding down its stake. But who was Douglas Myers, and how did he get involved in Downtown?

Uncovering the Extraordinary Life of a Brewing Magnate Turned Music Investor

From Brewing Heir to Music Mogul

Before Myers' investment in what was then known as Downtown Records helped catapult Gnarls Barkley's 2006 hit "Crazy" to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earn the duo a Grammy nomination for record of the year, he was the heir of one of Australasia's most successful brewing dynasties. Myers was a fourth-generation brewer and the descendant of Polish Jewish immigrants to New Zealand. In 1965, he joined the brewing company that would become Lion Nathan and eventually spend around 15 years there as managing director, CEO, and ultimately chairman, a post he ascended to in 1997, according to a 2007 biography, "The Myers" by Michael Bassett and Paul Goldsmith. In 1998, Myers sold the majority of his Lion Nathan share to Japan's Kirin Brewery Company, setting the stage for his next chapter.

Philanthropy and Alternative Investments

In retirement, Myers threw himself into philanthropy and some alternative investments, including, at the age of 69, Downtown. The success of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" led to Douglas attending the 2007 Grammys, where he saw the duo, which was composed of Cee Lo Green and Danger Mouse, pick up two awards: best urban/alternative performance for "Crazy" and best alternative music album for "St. Elsewhere." In a subsequent interview on the New Zealand TV evening news show "Sunday," Douglas described feeling starstruck by the event, saying, "It's not my thing," and describing the event as "amazing. Lionel Richie was there, Tony Bennet, Sting was there....Beyoncé was there."

A Family Affair: The Myers' Involvement in Downtown Music

Myers reportedly invested in Downtown because of his son Campbell Myers' love of music. Campbell Myers later served as Downtown's director of business development for a year from 2009-2010, according to his LinkedIn profile, and more recently founded and served as co-CEO of CreateMe, a San Francisco-based technology-focused clothing manufacturer. The Myers family's involvement in Downtown Music has now come to a crossroads, as the board of directors explores a potential sale of the company, in part due to the family's consideration of winding down its stake.

The Legacy of Sir Douglas Myers

Douglas Myers passed away in 2017 after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a brewing magnate, philanthropist, and music investor. His investment in Downtown Records helped propel the success of Gnarls Barkley, and his attendance at the 2007 Grammys showcased his passion for the music industry, despite it being "not his thing." The Myers family's involvement in Downtown Music has now come to a crossroads, as the board of directors explores a potential sale of the company, a testament to the enduring impact of Douglas Myers' entrepreneurial spirit and diverse investments.