Warner Music’s Dan Rosen Pays Tribute to Matthew Capper: ‘He Cared Deeply About The Songwriters’

A loyal music publishing professional, a good sport and, above all else, a gentleman.

Those are some of the memories of Matthew Capper, shared with the Warner Music team by Dan Rosen, president for the music giant’s activities across Australasia.

As previously reported, Capper died earlier this month following surgery for a ruptured appendix, news of which caught the music industry off-guard. 

The late music publishing professional logged more than 20 years with Warner Chappell Australia, serving as managing director from 2010, until his exit in February 2024.

Capper climbed the ladder at a young age, and made friends and supporters along every step of the way. He was elected in 2007 to the board of APRA, becoming the youngest-ever director of the authors’ rights society, aged 30. Two years earlier, in 2005, he became the youngest person ever appointed to the AMCOS board, at 28.

Outside of his regular duties leading Warner Chappell’s affiliate from Melbourne, Capper was non-executive director of APRA and AMCOS, deputy chair of AMCOS, chair and non-executive director of publishers trade association AMPAL, and treasurer and non-executive director of ICMP, the global trade body representing the music publishing industry worldwide.

For a time, his duties with ICMP extended to chairing its Australasia and Asia Regional Group.

In an internal message to staff, seen by The Music Network, Rosen pays tribute to Capper as an executive with integrity, who fought for the creative community, and never did so with hubris.

“He cared deeply about the songwriters he represented, and his efforts to protect and celebrate their music made a lasting impact on Warner Chappell and the broader music community in Australia,” writes Rosen of his former colleague. “He was above all else, in every interaction, a gentleman.”

As news of Capper’s death filtered through the music industry, scores of executives and former colleagues paid their respects on social media. 

The late executive had suffered a ruptured appendix around Christmastime, and could not fight off the infection after the operation. Capper will not have a funeral, per his wishes.

Read Rosen’s message in full below.

Dear Team,

Over the weekend, we learned of the unexpected passing of Matthew Capper, former Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music Australia. Some of you may have already seen the news, and

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on his life, his contributions, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Matthew was a true stalwart of the music publishing industry, starting his journey with us in 2003 and rising to lead our Australian business in 2010. His passion for music, dedication, and commitment to being a good steward of the songwriters’ stories in our region were central to his leadership.

Matthew had a quick and particularly dry sense of humour, and while he didn’t often place himself in the spotlight, he surprised us all at our 2023 Learning and Development conference with an enthusiastic rendition of “the worm” to help his team win extra clues—a moment of impeccably timed sportsmanship that had us all laughing and cheering.

He cared deeply about the songwriters he represented, and his efforts to protect and celebrate their music made a lasting impact on Warner Chappell and the broader music community in Australia. He was above all else, in every interaction, a gentleman.

As we remember Matthew, may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him, worked with him, and were touched by his work and humour. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.