He was the record executive behind monster hits like “Thriller, “Born in the USA” and “Bat Out of Hell.”

Former C-B-S Records boss Walter Yetnikoff has died.

He guided the careers of artist like Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bruce Springstreen and many others when he ran C-B-S Records from 1975 to 1990.

His downfall came amid a storm of corporate turnovers and backstabbing and Yetnikoff’s personal clashes with people.

Walter Yetnikoff died of cancer at a hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut, three days before his 88th birthday.