Most people who have been listening to Hip Hop in the 80s know the basic history of Def Jam. Russ was deep in the Hip Hop scene, much more than Rick. He was managing the biggest star in Hip Hop...Kurtis Blow. His younger brother Run was Kurtis Blow's DJ. Russ and Rick both needed each other. One with the business/go getter acumen(Russ) and the one with artistic vision(Rick).
Yup, and that is where people confuse Rush Management(Russ) with Def Jam(Rick). Like you say Ra, Russ and Rick needed each other.
Great post Ra..