Zak Yankovich

Itzhak "Zak" Yankovich is a record executive, chief operating officer, head of promotions, co-founder, and partner of American Century Records. Yankovich’s experience and hundred dollar handshakes within the music industry make him an invaluable part of the company. In Richie Finestra’s shadow, their professional relationship is strained, due to disagreements on how to guide them through the musical landscape of 1973.

In August 1973, he’s faced off with the opportunity to sell American Century to PolyGram with the intention to cash in on an early retirement and make due with financial commitments that he promised his wife and children. However, Ritchie‘s musical revelation at a New York Dolls concert sabotages their deal and puts a strain between the two.

Early Life
Itzhak Yankovich was born to a Jewish family. Growing up during the 1940s and 1950s he developed a love for rock & roll, blues, and jazz music especially the works of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Joe Houston, and Elvis Presley. On August 31, 1957, he attended an Elvis Presley concert at Empire Stadium in Vancouver, Canada and got knocked out during a riot while the song Mystery Train was playing. Sometime in the late 50s, he met a woman named Moira whom he married and had two children, Karen and David. By the early 70s, however, he grew to resent his marriage to Moira as she and her children grew to become shallow and materialistic.

American Century Records
Zak Yankovich met Ritchie Finestra, another rock & roll enthusiast, during the 1960s. In 1964, the two of them as well Skip Fontane, started up their own record company in Manhattan, New York and called it American Century. His position as the chief operating officer as well as head of promotions made him a valuable member of the company. As head of promotions, it was his responsibility to help promote American Century's musical roster through the radio by making deals with disc jockeys throughout the country with drugs and monetary bribes. He even made a deal with Buck Rogers, a highly influential DJ.