India, Nov. 14 -- Gerry Griffith, the influential Arista Records A&R vice president whose legendary ear for talent led him to discover a teenage Whitney Houston and help shape the course of modern popular music, has died at the age of 87.

Griffith passed away on November 5 in Brooklyn, New York, following a prolonged battle with dementia, family members and industry colleagues confirmed. A Chicago native and US Army veteran, Griffith built a celebrated career in the recording industry by identifying generational vocal talent and guiding iconic artists to mainstream superstardom.

Across decades in the music business, he collaborated closely with premier acts including Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Minnie Riperton, and Carlos Santana, ...