Cindy Charles, Twitch's Head of Music and a trailblazer in the music industry, died at age 69 following a tragic traffic accident in Amsterdam. Her death was confirmed on October 18 by Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy, who praised Charles' contributions to the platform and the music world. The accident occurred on October 14, when Charles was struck by a garbage truck near the Passeerdersgracht canal while in the city to speak at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), a major industry conference.
In a heartfelt message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Clancy expressed sorrow over the loss of Charles, highlighting her significant role in forging groundbreaking music licensing agreements for Twitch, including a deal announced in June that involved Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and independent labels represented by Merlin. "Anyone that uses music on Twitch owes a debt of gratitude to Cindy's work," Clancy wrote. "She always had a bright smile on her face, even as she negotiated unprecedented music licensing agreements."
Charles had a long and distinguished career in the music and digital media sectors, with roles at Amazon, Viacom, and MediaNet Digital before joining Twitch. She also co-founded Women in Digital and played a leading role in establishing the San Francisco chapter of She is the Music, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in the music industry. Her contributions helped pave the way for artists, DJs, and creators to thrive on streaming platforms like Twitch, and she was widely admired for her deep understanding of both the music business and emerging digital trends.
Cindy Charles' tragic death has sent shockwaves throughout the music industry and the Twitch community. Her husband, Ricky Fishman, paid tribute on social media, sharing memories of their 50-year connection. "There will be no filling the hole in the universe left by Cindy's departure from this world," Fishman wrote on Facebook. "She gave love and received love, building a network of friends unrivaled by any person I have ever known."
Charles' work at Twitch was particularly influential in helping the platform navigate the complex world of music licensing, a critical challenge for content creators. Her efforts were instrumental in securing Twitch's first-ever music licensing agreements with the major record labels, making it possible for DJs and musicians to legally stream their work on the platform. In his tribute, Clancy emphasized the lasting impact of her work, noting, "She was critical in creating the strong relationships we have today with the music industry."
Beyond her professional achievements, Charles was beloved for her warmth, energy, and dedication to her team. Kira Karlstrom, a colleague at Twitch, wrote a moving tribute to Charles on Medium, describing her as "the heart and soul" of the music team. "Every success, every setback, every moment of working toward our shared mission felt deeply personal because Cindy made it that way," Karlstrom wrote. "She cared about her team with all her heart, and our work was an extension of that care."
Charles' loss is particularly poignant given the personal milestones she reached late in life. She met her husband, Ricky Fishman, 50 years ago at SUNY Buffalo State University, though their relationship only began 30 years later when they reconnected at a reunion. Fishman described her as "at the top of her game" and shared how they had planned to travel together. "She loved to travel, and sadly, there are many trips we had planned that will not happen," he wrote.
As the music and tech industries mourn Charles' untimely death, many are reflecting on her immense contributions. Her work shaped not only the way music is shared and consumed on platforms like Twitch but also how artists and creators can build sustainable careers in the digital age. Charles' passing leaves a significant void, but her legacy in music licensing and digital media will continue to influence the industry for years to come.
Cindy Charles is survived by her husband Ricky Fishman, her son Ben Charles, and her stepson Sam Fishman.
