Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1IrifAK
YouTube: http://bit.ly/1MLLXXA
If only the lyrics were written by Jason Isbell.
Who do we blame for turning country into rock and roll? My vote is Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who turned the tiny-talented yet beautiful singer Shania Twain into the biggest star in country music. In one fell swoop Mutt performed the same magic he did for Def Leppard, he turned conventional sales records on their head, suddenly the ceiling was lifted, turns out there was lot more money in pop metal and a lot more money in country music than anybody ever fathomed.
Country started to resemble nothing so much as the rock and roll of the seventies, the corporate version, laden with hooks and generic lyrics, but this time about babies, religion and trucks.
But not exclusively. If you ever listened to Miranda Lambert's "Gunpowder & Lead" you'd be immediately enraptured, by a woman who had the music in her, who was willing to tell her own story, evidence more girl power than all the popsters combined.
Country's got the biggest stars who last the longest, singing a palatable sound with all the elements of classic rock, and yet it gets pooh-poohed constantly, the cognoscenti believe it's hillbilly music for the ignorant.
But it's not.
True, the lyrics can be crap.
But the sound, OH THAT SOUND!
"Smoke Break" is Carrie Underwood's new single. And despite Kelly Clarkson's hits, Carrie's career will burn brighter and longer, she's a bigger star. Sure, she's a face for others, despite getting a bit of songwriting credit, but those she fronts...they're the best money can buy!
This is how it works... If you're a songwriter, a studio musician, the best way to get paid is by working with a country star. So Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, they get the benefit of the best.
Yes, Luke Bryan, whose new album is defeating Dr. Dre's on the chart. Bringing into question whether we live in a hip-hop nation, or a country one.
I distantly knew Carrie Underwood was prepping a new project, but I had no idea she'd dropped a single. But when I cued up my "Country Hits" playlist on Spotify yesterday I was immediately confronted with a sound that's filled a zillion arenas. That's right, rock and roll. With big guitars playing riffs that do nothing so much as make you want to break out your air guitar.
The intro is quiet, almost plodding, but soon thereafter Carrie comes in. (Not that the beat is not solid. In a beat-driven universe the bottom is evidenced so dramatically in country music.)
"She's a small town, hard-workin' woman just tryin' to make a livin'
Workin' three jobs, feeding four little mouths in a run-down kitchen"
Could almost be a John Prine song, a set-up for a view into a tiny life from which we can extract the bones of everyman.
But then...
"When you never take nothing and doing nothing but giving
It's hard to be a good wife and a good mom and a good Christian"
Make me puke. This lowest common denominator pandering is what is holding country music back. The people involved think the audience can only tolerate crap like this, that you can't go deeper and be chiaroscuro, can't show life as shades of gray instead of black and white. Nobody is that good, especially the country audience. What could have been three-dimensional ends up as cardboard. As for the religious reference...utterly superfluous and offensive to anyone who is not of the faith, that's another thing I hate about country music, the endless fealty paid to God and the values that the nation at large is so busy trying to tear down, like the Confederate flag.
But oh what a chorus, oh what electric guitars.
On one hand it's utterly generic, but it's oh-so-POWERFUL!
If you ever liked rock you'll be hooked.
Forget the people in skinny jeans who can only bless that which appeals to few, they've never been more irrelevant. Hell, they make Pitchfork look mainstream. But for the rest of us, who can poke fun at ourselves and are not worried about our image...we can admit "Smoke Break" sounds GREAT!
So this weekend we'll be subjected to the antics of one Miley Cyrus, who can get our attention but has a problem selling tickets, while the mainstream press fawns over the youth-culture train-wreck known as the MTV Video Music Awards, not questioning why MTV has authority to still have a show, seeing as how it no longer shows videos, which have sunk in popularity anyway, they're just the images behind the tunes on YouTube. But there you have it, the press would rather trump the momentary as opposed to the lasting. There's nothing sexy in the story of Carrie Underwood.
But there's plenty of sex in her.
And in the sound of "Smoke Break."
If it doesn't oil your loins, if it doesn't get you ready for action, you're too uptight to do it.
That's right, sex and rock and roll are intertwined, they're two sides of the same coin.
And they run this nation of ours.
The remaining jukeboxes feature AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."
It's country acts that sell out stadiums. Hell, it's where Taylor Swift got her start.
But it gets no respect.
Then again, with lyrics like this I'm not sure it deserves any.
But if Nashville could elevate the product, know that the way you succeed today is to deliver the unexpected, titillate us, illustrate the way we really live, warts and all, it could mow down pop overnight.
Because the truth is we live in a rock and roll nation.
But too many people have not gotten the message that the music has migrated from NYC, L.A., SF and Seattle to Nashville. Where jeans rule, and playing a mean guitar still counts.
It all works, except for the words. They've got to work on that.
P.S. Before you get on your high horse and dismiss this music before listening to it, know that the producer Jay Joyce started off producing Tim Finn, and has John Hiatt, Patty Griffin and Cage the Elephant credits too. You see the world is not as black and white as you think.
P.P.S. A co-writer of this song, Chris DeStefano, has written for Kelly Clarkson too, once again demonstrating the cross-pollination in music. Radio and media want to establish walls without bridges, but the truth is the audience is mashing it all up. Which is why so many country acts are rapping...but that's another story.
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Friday 28 August 2015
Rhinofy-Hitch A Ride
Talk about forgotten men. Brad Delp offs himself and years later he's just a footnote in the history of rock and roll, his crime being a member of the most successful new band of 1976/7, which burst on the scene with an album so perfect, so pristine, so hook-laden, that the cognoscenti could only lambaste it.
And I kind of get it. The fall of '76's airwaves were populated by a song so seductive that it almost seemed manipulative. "More Than A Feeing" was the most beautiful girl in school tapping you on the shoulder to hit on you. Could this be real? An apparition? The result of plastic surgery? It had to be fake, otherwise how could it be so GOOD!
And unlike Mr. Delp, his work on "More Than A Feeling" remains. The initial impact of Boston, it sustains on classic rock airwaves. Then again, other than the Beatles and maybe the Stones, the music of the pre-MTV stars is already starting to fade in the rearview mirror, but not in the minds of those who were there, stuff like "More Than A Feeling" can never be forgotten.
But it was not my favorite track on the album, I can even argue it was not even the best, I'd reserve that for "Foreplay/Long Time," but my favorite is "Hitch A Ride."
Yes, I bought the album. I didn't love "More Than A Feeling," the curious thing is I appreciate it more today, but I needed to go deeper, I needed to know what all the hubbub was about.
And that's how I discovered "Foreplay/Long Time," a modern day Led Zeppelin track, going from electric to acoustic and then taking you over the waterfall. It still gets me high every time I hear it, especially with the anticipation built by the instrumental intro.
"Hitch A Ride" is on the second side.
But it's really more about the first side, it took a long time for listeners to get to the second, because the eighteen minute three track first was so damn perfect. "Peace Of Mind" was bookended by "More Than A Feeling" and "Foreplay/Long Time," and one could argue that's all you needed, when you put your Garrard or Dual or BIC on endless repeat, sitting stoned on your couch, looking out the window, contemplating how wonderful this life is.
And really, the flip side is not as good. You mostly hear "Rock & Roll Band," with its reference to Cape Cod, if you hear anything at all these days, and "Smokin'" got airplay too, hell, every track on the LP ended up on the radio, and Delp's closing composition, "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," even got more recognition than my favorite, but stuck right smack dab in the middle of side two is "Hitch A Ride," the song that probably goes through my head most these days, really.
"Day is night in New York City"
Yup, that's what my brain sings, quietly, intimately, just like the record.
But if you're listening to the record, there's an acoustic intro so magical it'll make you throw away your computer and buy a Martin if you've got any chops at all. Sound... Especially of an acoustic axe. It evidences humanity, just like the rest of this track.
"Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side"
I'd like to say it's about the lyrics, but really they're nearly irrelevant. Hell, you can scrape up the demo and find out the words were completely different. But just before the chorus, when Brad is done singing the verse, the drums come in and then there are background harmonies and the sound is so mellifluous you can do nothing but smile.
"Oh yeah"
Really!
Then the intro riff is played on an electric, a harbinger of what's to come, but no one told Brad Delp, he's still singing quietly, stuck in the groove, but when he's through the second chorus, all hell breaks loose. Brad goes up and an organ comes in and it's almost like you're in ELP territory, but with a briefer solo and more melody, and then there are guitar effects and you're coming down an aural roller coaster and then you're taken on twists and turns by a guitar sound so exquisite you can't believe it was caught on tape.
Eventually it all goes quiet. And then, in the spotlight, a lone electric guitar plays some notes, and then another guitar comes in and you're marveling as they twin and you want this show to never end, you just want to live in this sound forever.
"Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side
Leave it all behind
Never change my mind"
That's the problem with suicide, the finality. You're here and then you're gone. Suddenly, we can no longer hear Brad Delp's vocals again. If only we could have showed up at his house en masse, taken him by the hand to the hospital, his life could have been saved.
Alas, this was not to be.
He was carried away for the last time.
Not that he knew this when he sang the words to "Hitch A Ride."
But, through the magic of recording, his past work is not only etched in our brains, but on tape, in grooves, in digits, for all to hear.
Seemingly some of the best work is subtle, not looking for attention, sneaking up on you. Like Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone," like Boston's "Hitch A Ride." You don't get them at first, but then they become your favorites.
The problem is that Tom Scholz is a genius. And our society has no place for the personalities of people like this, with plenty of answers as well as questions, who need to do it their way, so we can be exposed to stuff so incredible that until it's laid down it can only be heard in their heads.
Yes, Brad is great, but the less than warm Tom is the star here. His crime is one of hubris, he never said he wasn't talented, he never suffered fools, as a result the media turned away from him.
But...
The great thing is the art remains. Long after not only Brad Delp is gone but no one cares what classic rockers have to say...
The music lives on.
Come, hitch a ride with me. I promise you'll want to come. And when I'm gone you can sing this song in your head and remember all the great work of the past which gets little respect but was monumental. And still is.
P.S. I just pulled up the demo, "San Francisco Day," which through sleuthing you might find too, mine is labeled "We Found It In the Trashcan, Honest!," and in the original lyrics Brad sings..."Bury me alive with those sweet sounds." Oh, how true that is!
Spotify link: http://spoti.fi/1KR9EsZ
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And I kind of get it. The fall of '76's airwaves were populated by a song so seductive that it almost seemed manipulative. "More Than A Feeing" was the most beautiful girl in school tapping you on the shoulder to hit on you. Could this be real? An apparition? The result of plastic surgery? It had to be fake, otherwise how could it be so GOOD!
And unlike Mr. Delp, his work on "More Than A Feeling" remains. The initial impact of Boston, it sustains on classic rock airwaves. Then again, other than the Beatles and maybe the Stones, the music of the pre-MTV stars is already starting to fade in the rearview mirror, but not in the minds of those who were there, stuff like "More Than A Feeling" can never be forgotten.
But it was not my favorite track on the album, I can even argue it was not even the best, I'd reserve that for "Foreplay/Long Time," but my favorite is "Hitch A Ride."
Yes, I bought the album. I didn't love "More Than A Feeling," the curious thing is I appreciate it more today, but I needed to go deeper, I needed to know what all the hubbub was about.
And that's how I discovered "Foreplay/Long Time," a modern day Led Zeppelin track, going from electric to acoustic and then taking you over the waterfall. It still gets me high every time I hear it, especially with the anticipation built by the instrumental intro.
"Hitch A Ride" is on the second side.
But it's really more about the first side, it took a long time for listeners to get to the second, because the eighteen minute three track first was so damn perfect. "Peace Of Mind" was bookended by "More Than A Feeling" and "Foreplay/Long Time," and one could argue that's all you needed, when you put your Garrard or Dual or BIC on endless repeat, sitting stoned on your couch, looking out the window, contemplating how wonderful this life is.
And really, the flip side is not as good. You mostly hear "Rock & Roll Band," with its reference to Cape Cod, if you hear anything at all these days, and "Smokin'" got airplay too, hell, every track on the LP ended up on the radio, and Delp's closing composition, "Let Me Take You Home Tonight," even got more recognition than my favorite, but stuck right smack dab in the middle of side two is "Hitch A Ride," the song that probably goes through my head most these days, really.
"Day is night in New York City"
Yup, that's what my brain sings, quietly, intimately, just like the record.
But if you're listening to the record, there's an acoustic intro so magical it'll make you throw away your computer and buy a Martin if you've got any chops at all. Sound... Especially of an acoustic axe. It evidences humanity, just like the rest of this track.
"Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side"
I'd like to say it's about the lyrics, but really they're nearly irrelevant. Hell, you can scrape up the demo and find out the words were completely different. But just before the chorus, when Brad is done singing the verse, the drums come in and then there are background harmonies and the sound is so mellifluous you can do nothing but smile.
"Oh yeah"
Really!
Then the intro riff is played on an electric, a harbinger of what's to come, but no one told Brad Delp, he's still singing quietly, stuck in the groove, but when he's through the second chorus, all hell breaks loose. Brad goes up and an organ comes in and it's almost like you're in ELP territory, but with a briefer solo and more melody, and then there are guitar effects and you're coming down an aural roller coaster and then you're taken on twists and turns by a guitar sound so exquisite you can't believe it was caught on tape.
Eventually it all goes quiet. And then, in the spotlight, a lone electric guitar plays some notes, and then another guitar comes in and you're marveling as they twin and you want this show to never end, you just want to live in this sound forever.
"Gonna hitch a ride
Head for the other side
Leave it all behind
Never change my mind"
That's the problem with suicide, the finality. You're here and then you're gone. Suddenly, we can no longer hear Brad Delp's vocals again. If only we could have showed up at his house en masse, taken him by the hand to the hospital, his life could have been saved.
Alas, this was not to be.
He was carried away for the last time.
Not that he knew this when he sang the words to "Hitch A Ride."
But, through the magic of recording, his past work is not only etched in our brains, but on tape, in grooves, in digits, for all to hear.
Seemingly some of the best work is subtle, not looking for attention, sneaking up on you. Like Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone," like Boston's "Hitch A Ride." You don't get them at first, but then they become your favorites.
The problem is that Tom Scholz is a genius. And our society has no place for the personalities of people like this, with plenty of answers as well as questions, who need to do it their way, so we can be exposed to stuff so incredible that until it's laid down it can only be heard in their heads.
Yes, Brad is great, but the less than warm Tom is the star here. His crime is one of hubris, he never said he wasn't talented, he never suffered fools, as a result the media turned away from him.
But...
The great thing is the art remains. Long after not only Brad Delp is gone but no one cares what classic rockers have to say...
The music lives on.
Come, hitch a ride with me. I promise you'll want to come. And when I'm gone you can sing this song in your head and remember all the great work of the past which gets little respect but was monumental. And still is.
P.S. I just pulled up the demo, "San Francisco Day," which through sleuthing you might find too, mine is labeled "We Found It In the Trashcan, Honest!," and in the original lyrics Brad sings..."Bury me alive with those sweet sounds." Oh, how true that is!
Spotify link: http://spoti.fi/1KR9EsZ
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Thursday 27 August 2015
Re-Bobby Brooks
When I was a wet behind the ears manager with my first band,the Jags ( I've Got Your Number Written on The Back of my Hand) I came to NY to meet agents. Chris Blackwell had introduced me to Frank Barsalona and Barbara Skydell at Premier Talent and they wanted the band. The most powerful agents in the world wanted my band!
But one day when I was in the Island office I got a phone call from this young booker at ICM called Bobby Brooks. He raved to me about the band. He knew everything about them. His enthusiasm was infectious. I agreed to meet Bobby and his friend Rob Light. After a couple of beers I told them they had the band. These were great people who became an important part of my life. Rob is the agent for all my acts till this day.
I remember that memorial service at Universal. It was the most extraordinary outpouring of love from so many people. I still hear from his wife Barbara and everytime we speak of Bobby my heart sighs. I loved that man.
Richard Griffiths
_________________________________________
Bobby Brooks widow, Barbara Cane is an equally remarkable person responsible for nurturing and in some cases, keeping alive, a world-class roster of songwriters in her amazing career as VP/GM at BMI. As anyone that knows her and has worked with her can attest - she has carried on the passion for music and artists that she and Bobby so obviously shared.
Clyde Lieberman
_________________________________________
I was lucky enough to work with Bobby at ICM in New York from 1982 to 1984. I miss Bobby to this day and live by a quote of his from 1989 - "I truly love what I do, respect my clients, and I realize that life is too short, so while I take my job very seriously, I try and have as much fun as possible".
Adam Kornfeld
Artist Group International
_________________________________________
Thanks, Bob, for forwarding Rob's remembrances.
Weirdly, I woke up early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. Among other things, Bobby popped into my head, and now I know why.
The thing with Bobby was that I was certain that I was his very best friend in the music business. When I saw the turnout at the Amphitheatre, I realized that he made everyone feel that way.
I miss him and what he meant to the business. The tragedy broke the mold and he will never be duplicated.
Thanks again.
Larry Butler
_________________________________________
Bobby and Rob were like two peas in a pod. They used to come to my office regularly. Not many agents did that (visit record companies)
I still remember John Scher's eulogy at Bobby's funeral.
Mike Bone
_________________________________________
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Bobby had just married our Barbara Cane and they were just building their life and home together in LA. It still breaks my heart to think of the absolute sadness of this loss. Thank you for writing this. Such a meaningful insightful tribute. Sending love......
Doreen Ringer-Ross
_________________________________________
This is such a beautiful and touching tribute. I know how close Rob and Bobby were, but it would be an enormous omission if the day passed without mentioning Bobby's true love and wife, (and my dearest friend in the music business), Barbara Cane. Bobby and Barbara had been recently wed when he died, and among all the tributes,I always felt his loss was a particularly cruel turn of events for his young bride.
Thanks, Rob, for reminding us of this anniversary, and of Bobby's enormous contribution. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends who miss him to this day.
Robert Kraft
Kraftbox Entertainment
_________________________________________
When Rob and Bobby were together, it was lightning in a bottle. They were yin to yang, Abbott to Costello, Martin to Lewis, brother to brother.
When CAA started their music division, Rob and Bobby made the rounds of the record labels. For their presentation to MCA, we went to Jerry's Deli in the Valley. I think it was Solters, Glen Lajeski, Liz Heller and myself. (Richard Palmese - I think you might have been out of town.)
We sat at a big booth, and laughed the entire time.
He was a Mensch first, an agent second. He was also married to the lovely Barbara Cane and I often wondered when and if she ever got a word in edgewise with him.
Rob and Bobby had devised a game where they kept track of who they knew by a point system; obviously a Bobby Brooks Special. Whoever saw that person first would yell out "Two Points!"
I was in the Beverly Center and heard this voice above the din shouting, "Two points!!!!!"
I turned to see Bobby and Rob standing in the doorway of the store I was in. Bobby had his hand out with two fingers pointing upwards.
He was shorter than Rob and seeing him standing in front of Rob with this silly smile on his face and those two fingers extended is the ultimate, absolute, without-a-doubt, perfect closing shot for someone who opened so many of our hearts.
If you knew him then, you miss him now.
Here's to the incredibly wonderful, always smiling, bright eyed boy, Bobby Brooks. xo
Janie Hoffman
_________________________________________
Sweet piece on Bobby. I spoke at a Billboard Talent Conference in NY 1977 (?)...and after my panel was finished a slight framed kid with glasses walked up to introduce himself. He was attending St. John's University and was the head of the concert/talent committee. I took an immediate liking to him, and stayed in touch for the rest of his days.
On another note Bob, it's time that NARAS or some other body puts together a website that pays tribute to the great sculptors of our business who aren't recipients of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards. I can think of hundreds of them and they need to be memorialized...you mention them.
Thanks for remembering.
Bruce Garfield
_________________________________________
I was there as I was Eric's lighting designer and gave all of my 3 friends a big hug as they got on the golf cart to go to the helicopter.
Loved Bobby as we both have the same sense of humour.
Great men are never forgotten?.
Tom Kenny
_________________________________________
I was a 24 years old lighting technician working for Eric that night. The touring crew were already a tight family as is often the case, but that night solidified us as friends for life. We lost Colin and Nigel from our crew and the industry lost Bobby and Stevie. All of them legends in the touring world. That night changed my life forever in many ways. It was the first time I had felt that kind of loss, the shock was immense but we jointly decided we would to go on with the tour... I went on to replace Colin as a Tour manager and travelled the world with Eric for years after that. As you can imagine, there is so much that came from that night but I wanted to thank Rob for the email and for reminding me of a time in my life that was so special and that shaped me into the man I am today...
Mickey Curbishley
CEO Global Music Group
_________________________________________
my thanks to rob for this moving and truthful portrait of bobby.
my own tale: i was in his office at icm one day and he takes a call from a guy at some very very small club. now at this point, bobby is already repping HUGE artists. when he finished the call, i said,
'uh bobby, i gotta ask: i don't mind it, why did you bother taking the guy's call? couldn't your asst or one of the jr. agents handle him?'
his reply: 'michael, that's what i do.'
period. and that said it all. it didn't matter that the caller wasn't big time...just like he took the time to meet in person with me.
'when they made you brother/they broke the mold'...terry's song, bruce s.
rip,
Michael Jaworek
The Birchmere
_________________________________________
from the UK where we
are rehearsing david gilmour tour,
we LOVE BOBBY......
we love ROB LIGHT...
stay well all.....
marc brickman
_________________________________________
I can't believe it's been 25 years. Like all of us who met Bobby, I felt like he was my best friend in the world. He used to call me "Chilly" which was the short version of his second nickname for me, "Chilly Billy." Mitch, Rick, Darryl and Jenna still use it when I see or talk to them, and I often wonder if they remember where it started!
We laughed constantly. He loved everything about his life and work and clients and family--and especially his beloved wife, Barbara--and his new CAA team of Rob, Tom, Mike...they were on a mission and Bobby was an integral part. His enthusiasm knew no limits. His office was stuffed with toys and one creepy, real-looking leg that stuck out from under his desk--what a character.
Bobby brought out the best in everyone and he gave many of us the benefit of a chance. He was an important part of helping me get established in business with CAA, he really guided my relationship with this new blockbuster agency and gave me a shot when I needed it.
Rob, thank you for highlighting the date. I miss our friend also.
Bill Silva
_________________________________________
Rob Light wrote beautifully about Bobby Brooks' business legacy but as worthy of remembrance was the legacy of his marriage to my dear friend, Barbara Cane. Their marriage was truly special. And while Barbara has gone on to be one of the most respected and loved women in the music business, Bobby Brooks remains the love of her life.
Jody Gerson
_________________________________________
And this is why Rob Light is one of a kind, because he cares, he's compassionate and sees the business as more than just the next deal. I knew Bobby well and everything Rob said in his tribute is 100% correct. They certainly don't make them like Bobby anymore. And they don't make them like Rob anymore either.
Larry Stessel
_________________________________________
As someone whose life was deeply touched by Bobby, seeing him remembered and honored, makes a sad occasion special. I met him when he first left the mail room at ICM and became an assistant. We were friends to the end and he was instrumental in many tours I was a part once he got to CAA. He convinced me to move to California, just 6 months before he died.
Like you, I miss him everyday and still wonder how my life would be different had he (and by that notion, all four) lived.
Thanks for remembering a dear friend
Rich Nesin
_________________________________________
Thanks for printing this bobby was a great person
Louis Messina
_________________________________________
SO VERY STRANGE...JUST LAST WEEK I DESCRIBED THE MEMORIAL AT Universal to one of my girls. I guess because Jackson was here and I remembered him playing for a dancer at that event...and how very moving it was. I didn't remember that it was 25 years ago now....
Rena Wasserman
_________________________________________
Bob, like all of us who knew him, I was shellshocked Bobby Brooks died. I didn't know quite what to do to express my sincere grief, so I ended up writing his mother and father a heartfelt letter about their beloved son.
One day while rummaging through the mail, I was shocked to find a handwritten thank you note from Bobby's father.
Not only did he thanked me for my letter, but in the same manner in which I would have expected his son to respond, he politely explained to me how humbling it was for both he and his wife to learn how be loved their son Bobby really was.
Bobby Brooks really was a great human being, as anyone who knew him will attest, and I am convinced much of who he was came from this wonderful parents.
Brad Coombs
PS: Bobby was also one of the funniest human being I will ever know. The only person nearly as funny all of the time as Bobby that I have been around with Sam Kinison.
_________________________________________
Rob,
That was beautiful and a real testament to the man.
Bob,
Thanks for letting Rob share it with everyone.
Greetings from London to you all!
Best wishes,
Merck Mercuriadis
_________________________________________
I owe my A+R career to Bobby Brooks. I was a young music publisher when I meet Bobby and Barbara. I was always at gigs and so were they. We became fast friends talking non-stop about music, bands, great songs and great records. Bobby made me laugh and made me think about what I really wanted to do in the music business. He also told me not to take myself too seriously...excellent advice. One night when the three of us were out to dinner in NY Bobby said to me "You should be making records..." A few weeks later I was in Los Angeles and Bobby insisted I meet his boss at the time, Tom Ross. The next thing I knew I had meetings set up with all the major label presidents. And so it went... Bobby and Barbara were my biggest supporters as I began to make records, at the time, for MCA/Universal. They came to my artists' shows and sent artists to me. Their lives' work and love were music and artists and sharing that passion with others. I heard the news of the accident while I was visiting
Fire Island with my friend, now husband, Jeff Jones. He knew Bobby as well. We were heartbroken and stunned...but as the years have passed I realized that I was lucky, because I had the privilege of knowing and learning from Bobby Brooks and most importantly being able to call him my friend.
Thank you Rob for reminding us all of the gift of Bobby Brooks.
Susan Dodes
_________________________________________
I love this.
I grew up in the time when all these guys were active, legendary, controversial, and inspiring.
I was fortunate to work with a few of them, to have met many of them, and to be totally intimidated by all of them!!
It was ok to be a giant in those days--and they were everywhere; now, not so. I can't think of any giants around these days. Yes, powerful guys and billionaires and such, but those guys had a spirit that we don't really see anymore. And it took a whole community, a whole movement in history to make the ground fertile for these big dudes to become and to take control.
Thanks Rob and best wishes to you
and thanks Bob for posting it.
Wendy Waldman
_________________________________________
this is really nice.
Hilary Rosen
_________________________________________
This is an amazing tribute and Rob is correct. We cannot forget or lose touch with history. I never met Bobby Brooks. I was a newbie working at Belkin Productions at the time. Jules Belkin spoke of Bobby like no other agent. There was no internet that day and word of the accident came across radio early that next morning. I was in the office when we learned that Bobby was on that helicopter. Jules went silent like I had never seen. He was devastated. We all were. Even those that did not know Bobby. It did not hit me how truly young Bobby was until I read Rob's tribute. Way too young. Thank you for sharing.
Denny Young
_________________________________________
Bobby was my agent at ICM during the years that I booked the shows at the Agora Ballroom chain. We did many deals and spoke 4 or 5 times a week. He was a really cool guy...very easy to work with. I'm sure he was under pressure but he was always reasonable and friendly. He deserves all the accolades and recognition. He's gone but not forgotten.
Buddy Maver
_________________________________________
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
On vacation -listening to Armed Forces Radio Heraklion Crete.
We were sitting on the beach soaking up the sun when the news came in.
I remember crying and my grandmother asking me what was wrong.
I told her about Stevie - what he meant to me and the world of music and I remember they played "Couldn't stand the Weather".
My Grandmother - in her late 80's - unfamiliar with anything but the music of Greece - listened to the song, took my hand and told me that she could understand/feel why I was so sad.
I'll never forget that moment.....
JK
_________________________________________
When I started as a talent buyer for the Don Romeo Agency out of Omaha, NE., I first met Bobby Brooks at the IAFE fair convention in Las Vegas. The conference at the time was where fairs and talent agents met to start the booking process for the upcoming year. CAA had tasked Bobby with the job of selling Rock bands to the agricultural fairs all across North America. I was having a meeting with a fair group discussing potential Rock options. A couple of the fair board members had taken a survey of students in their children's class and wanted my opinion on the results. Bobby was in our suite at that moment, so, I said, "Bobby Brooks is here from CAA and he's an expert in the Rock world let's ask him." Bobby came into the room and sat down and listened intently as the fair board members revealed the results of the survey. "The top vote getters were Anthrax, Testament and Megadeth," one fair member stated. "What do you suggest?" Without missing a beat Bobby replied, "I suggest you get
your kids out of that class as soon as possible," And with that Bobby got up and left the room. Such was his humor.
GIL CUNNINGHAM
_________________________________________
Thank you Bob and Rob for noting the sweetness and kindness of someone whose very presence mattered at a time when the business and those who were in the business sparkled. I sat with Paul Atkinson at that memorial, another pure soul who's left us. Everyone who mourned Bobby knew we had lost an irreplaceable friend, and in hindsight Bobby, and people like Bobby, were part of the American Pie that used to be our cosa nostra.
Fred Ansis
_________________________________________
I worked with Alex Hodges at the time and his Strike Force artist management company had both Stevie Ray and Gregg Allman as management clients then. I remember that first phone call concerning the copter crash and how my heart dropped just as it had when Duane Allman and Berry Oakley from the original Allman Brothers Band line-up were lost in similar motorcycle accidents years earlier. Great talents lost much too early! So many times I thought Gregg would be lost early too, but he is as tough as a rattlesnake and has survived and prospered!
Willie Perkins
_________________________________________
I attended Bobby's funeral on Long Island and remember Graham Nash and Michael Bolton singing during the ceremony.
I had met Bobby many years before because one of my cohorts went to school with him at St. John's. We were agents in another industry (lecture and performing arts) but I absolutely remember how gracious Bobby was when we would see him over the ensuing years (at trade shows and concerts). He was always friendly with no "airs". You would never know he was a star in his field.
The outpouring of emotion at his passing was something I will never forget. Thank you for this tribute.
Tony Colao
Easthampton, MA
_________________________________________
Rob Light for President!
Or at least to book more country acts!
Gordon Brown
_________________________________________
Great piece Rob. Poignant.
Roger Greenawalt
_________________________________________
Right on, Rob Light.
Gary Poole
_________________________________________
Well said. :)
Best Regards, Onward and Upward,
Bryan Taylor
COO Worldwide Music Ventures Inc.
_________________________________________
that's some amazing writing. tell rob light we are appreciative of that and bobby.
halloran
_________________________________________
What a wonderful tribute Rob, thanks.
Swindel
_________________________________________
I remember the name, plus all the acts that he represented.
Reading your piece about Bobby makes me feel like I know him a lot better.
Thanks for sharing
CHEERS!
George Briner
The Valory Music Co.
_________________________________________
I wish someone (hint) would do a book on all these guys. Not just about their accomplishments, but what made them special, what innovations they brought to the field...something that would inspire today's bookers, managers, etc. Was it all just charisma that made them special...what was their secret?
-Rick Saunders
Real Deep Blues
_________________________________________
I'm so happy you sent this out.
Mio Vukovic
_________________________________________
Beautiful tribute by Rob.
They were all on their way to Buddy Guy's Legends club in Printer's Row in Chicago. My friends and I were at the club, tipped that Stevie was going to perform that night - it is hard to describe the awful feeling that set in when the news came that there a fatal helicopter crash.
14 months later, Bill Graham perished in another tragic helicopter crash.
Denisara
_________________________________________
Really beautifully done - he was an amazing guy. -t
Tony D'Amelio
_________________________________________
Thanks for this reminder of this. I remember all to well & it saddens me to this day.
Julie Coulter
_________________________________________
What a wonderful tribute for an amazing person!!
Bobby Brooks was truly one of a kind!
Rob, thanks for being so eloquent!!
Miss you Bobby Brooks!!
Gail Davis Silberman
_________________________________________
oh my goodness. that was so beautiful Bob. I'm a bit stunned right now. Thank you.
Bill Tibbs
_________________________________________
Thank you to that insight to Rob.
We miss him and heart and soul of what he brought.
This is the only way to be in this business.
And in life.
Thank you kindly Bob Lefsetz.
Thank you.
Lyle Chausse
_________________________________________
Dear Bob,
My name is Marla and my father was Dee Anthony. I wanted to write you a quick note to thank you for mentioning him in your recent article. A friend of mine I haven't seen in many many years forwarded it to me. I, in turn, forwarded it to my sister Michele. Well, of course she knows you and responded to me and said how sweet you are and that she had seen you not very long ago.
The music business is not what I saw growing up on the road with my dad. It brings me pure joy to have people like you recognize how great and special and magical it was. I chose to go a different path than my sister but the gold records on my wall, satin jackets from the seventies in my closet and countless memories of falling asleep in the lighting booth at concerts live inside of me.
Thank you for making me smile today. I think of my father every day and today I thought of him because of you .
Marla Anthony Bertsch
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But one day when I was in the Island office I got a phone call from this young booker at ICM called Bobby Brooks. He raved to me about the band. He knew everything about them. His enthusiasm was infectious. I agreed to meet Bobby and his friend Rob Light. After a couple of beers I told them they had the band. These were great people who became an important part of my life. Rob is the agent for all my acts till this day.
I remember that memorial service at Universal. It was the most extraordinary outpouring of love from so many people. I still hear from his wife Barbara and everytime we speak of Bobby my heart sighs. I loved that man.
Richard Griffiths
_________________________________________
Bobby Brooks widow, Barbara Cane is an equally remarkable person responsible for nurturing and in some cases, keeping alive, a world-class roster of songwriters in her amazing career as VP/GM at BMI. As anyone that knows her and has worked with her can attest - she has carried on the passion for music and artists that she and Bobby so obviously shared.
Clyde Lieberman
_________________________________________
I was lucky enough to work with Bobby at ICM in New York from 1982 to 1984. I miss Bobby to this day and live by a quote of his from 1989 - "I truly love what I do, respect my clients, and I realize that life is too short, so while I take my job very seriously, I try and have as much fun as possible".
Adam Kornfeld
Artist Group International
_________________________________________
Thanks, Bob, for forwarding Rob's remembrances.
Weirdly, I woke up early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. Among other things, Bobby popped into my head, and now I know why.
The thing with Bobby was that I was certain that I was his very best friend in the music business. When I saw the turnout at the Amphitheatre, I realized that he made everyone feel that way.
I miss him and what he meant to the business. The tragedy broke the mold and he will never be duplicated.
Thanks again.
Larry Butler
_________________________________________
Bobby and Rob were like two peas in a pod. They used to come to my office regularly. Not many agents did that (visit record companies)
I still remember John Scher's eulogy at Bobby's funeral.
Mike Bone
_________________________________________
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Bobby had just married our Barbara Cane and they were just building their life and home together in LA. It still breaks my heart to think of the absolute sadness of this loss. Thank you for writing this. Such a meaningful insightful tribute. Sending love......
Doreen Ringer-Ross
_________________________________________
This is such a beautiful and touching tribute. I know how close Rob and Bobby were, but it would be an enormous omission if the day passed without mentioning Bobby's true love and wife, (and my dearest friend in the music business), Barbara Cane. Bobby and Barbara had been recently wed when he died, and among all the tributes,I always felt his loss was a particularly cruel turn of events for his young bride.
Thanks, Rob, for reminding us of this anniversary, and of Bobby's enormous contribution. And my heart goes out to all his family and friends who miss him to this day.
Robert Kraft
Kraftbox Entertainment
_________________________________________
When Rob and Bobby were together, it was lightning in a bottle. They were yin to yang, Abbott to Costello, Martin to Lewis, brother to brother.
When CAA started their music division, Rob and Bobby made the rounds of the record labels. For their presentation to MCA, we went to Jerry's Deli in the Valley. I think it was Solters, Glen Lajeski, Liz Heller and myself. (Richard Palmese - I think you might have been out of town.)
We sat at a big booth, and laughed the entire time.
He was a Mensch first, an agent second. He was also married to the lovely Barbara Cane and I often wondered when and if she ever got a word in edgewise with him.
Rob and Bobby had devised a game where they kept track of who they knew by a point system; obviously a Bobby Brooks Special. Whoever saw that person first would yell out "Two Points!"
I was in the Beverly Center and heard this voice above the din shouting, "Two points!!!!!"
I turned to see Bobby and Rob standing in the doorway of the store I was in. Bobby had his hand out with two fingers pointing upwards.
He was shorter than Rob and seeing him standing in front of Rob with this silly smile on his face and those two fingers extended is the ultimate, absolute, without-a-doubt, perfect closing shot for someone who opened so many of our hearts.
If you knew him then, you miss him now.
Here's to the incredibly wonderful, always smiling, bright eyed boy, Bobby Brooks. xo
Janie Hoffman
_________________________________________
Sweet piece on Bobby. I spoke at a Billboard Talent Conference in NY 1977 (?)...and after my panel was finished a slight framed kid with glasses walked up to introduce himself. He was attending St. John's University and was the head of the concert/talent committee. I took an immediate liking to him, and stayed in touch for the rest of his days.
On another note Bob, it's time that NARAS or some other body puts together a website that pays tribute to the great sculptors of our business who aren't recipients of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards. I can think of hundreds of them and they need to be memorialized...you mention them.
Thanks for remembering.
Bruce Garfield
_________________________________________
I was there as I was Eric's lighting designer and gave all of my 3 friends a big hug as they got on the golf cart to go to the helicopter.
Loved Bobby as we both have the same sense of humour.
Great men are never forgotten?.
Tom Kenny
_________________________________________
I was a 24 years old lighting technician working for Eric that night. The touring crew were already a tight family as is often the case, but that night solidified us as friends for life. We lost Colin and Nigel from our crew and the industry lost Bobby and Stevie. All of them legends in the touring world. That night changed my life forever in many ways. It was the first time I had felt that kind of loss, the shock was immense but we jointly decided we would to go on with the tour... I went on to replace Colin as a Tour manager and travelled the world with Eric for years after that. As you can imagine, there is so much that came from that night but I wanted to thank Rob for the email and for reminding me of a time in my life that was so special and that shaped me into the man I am today...
Mickey Curbishley
CEO Global Music Group
_________________________________________
my thanks to rob for this moving and truthful portrait of bobby.
my own tale: i was in his office at icm one day and he takes a call from a guy at some very very small club. now at this point, bobby is already repping HUGE artists. when he finished the call, i said,
'uh bobby, i gotta ask: i don't mind it, why did you bother taking the guy's call? couldn't your asst or one of the jr. agents handle him?'
his reply: 'michael, that's what i do.'
period. and that said it all. it didn't matter that the caller wasn't big time...just like he took the time to meet in person with me.
'when they made you brother/they broke the mold'...terry's song, bruce s.
rip,
Michael Jaworek
The Birchmere
_________________________________________
from the UK where we
are rehearsing david gilmour tour,
we LOVE BOBBY......
we love ROB LIGHT...
stay well all.....
marc brickman
_________________________________________
I can't believe it's been 25 years. Like all of us who met Bobby, I felt like he was my best friend in the world. He used to call me "Chilly" which was the short version of his second nickname for me, "Chilly Billy." Mitch, Rick, Darryl and Jenna still use it when I see or talk to them, and I often wonder if they remember where it started!
We laughed constantly. He loved everything about his life and work and clients and family--and especially his beloved wife, Barbara--and his new CAA team of Rob, Tom, Mike...they were on a mission and Bobby was an integral part. His enthusiasm knew no limits. His office was stuffed with toys and one creepy, real-looking leg that stuck out from under his desk--what a character.
Bobby brought out the best in everyone and he gave many of us the benefit of a chance. He was an important part of helping me get established in business with CAA, he really guided my relationship with this new blockbuster agency and gave me a shot when I needed it.
Rob, thank you for highlighting the date. I miss our friend also.
Bill Silva
_________________________________________
Rob Light wrote beautifully about Bobby Brooks' business legacy but as worthy of remembrance was the legacy of his marriage to my dear friend, Barbara Cane. Their marriage was truly special. And while Barbara has gone on to be one of the most respected and loved women in the music business, Bobby Brooks remains the love of her life.
Jody Gerson
_________________________________________
And this is why Rob Light is one of a kind, because he cares, he's compassionate and sees the business as more than just the next deal. I knew Bobby well and everything Rob said in his tribute is 100% correct. They certainly don't make them like Bobby anymore. And they don't make them like Rob anymore either.
Larry Stessel
_________________________________________
As someone whose life was deeply touched by Bobby, seeing him remembered and honored, makes a sad occasion special. I met him when he first left the mail room at ICM and became an assistant. We were friends to the end and he was instrumental in many tours I was a part once he got to CAA. He convinced me to move to California, just 6 months before he died.
Like you, I miss him everyday and still wonder how my life would be different had he (and by that notion, all four) lived.
Thanks for remembering a dear friend
Rich Nesin
_________________________________________
Thanks for printing this bobby was a great person
Louis Messina
_________________________________________
SO VERY STRANGE...JUST LAST WEEK I DESCRIBED THE MEMORIAL AT Universal to one of my girls. I guess because Jackson was here and I remembered him playing for a dancer at that event...and how very moving it was. I didn't remember that it was 25 years ago now....
Rena Wasserman
_________________________________________
Bob, like all of us who knew him, I was shellshocked Bobby Brooks died. I didn't know quite what to do to express my sincere grief, so I ended up writing his mother and father a heartfelt letter about their beloved son.
One day while rummaging through the mail, I was shocked to find a handwritten thank you note from Bobby's father.
Not only did he thanked me for my letter, but in the same manner in which I would have expected his son to respond, he politely explained to me how humbling it was for both he and his wife to learn how be loved their son Bobby really was.
Bobby Brooks really was a great human being, as anyone who knew him will attest, and I am convinced much of who he was came from this wonderful parents.
Brad Coombs
PS: Bobby was also one of the funniest human being I will ever know. The only person nearly as funny all of the time as Bobby that I have been around with Sam Kinison.
_________________________________________
Rob,
That was beautiful and a real testament to the man.
Bob,
Thanks for letting Rob share it with everyone.
Greetings from London to you all!
Best wishes,
Merck Mercuriadis
_________________________________________
I owe my A+R career to Bobby Brooks. I was a young music publisher when I meet Bobby and Barbara. I was always at gigs and so were they. We became fast friends talking non-stop about music, bands, great songs and great records. Bobby made me laugh and made me think about what I really wanted to do in the music business. He also told me not to take myself too seriously...excellent advice. One night when the three of us were out to dinner in NY Bobby said to me "You should be making records..." A few weeks later I was in Los Angeles and Bobby insisted I meet his boss at the time, Tom Ross. The next thing I knew I had meetings set up with all the major label presidents. And so it went... Bobby and Barbara were my biggest supporters as I began to make records, at the time, for MCA/Universal. They came to my artists' shows and sent artists to me. Their lives' work and love were music and artists and sharing that passion with others. I heard the news of the accident while I was visiting
Fire Island with my friend, now husband, Jeff Jones. He knew Bobby as well. We were heartbroken and stunned...but as the years have passed I realized that I was lucky, because I had the privilege of knowing and learning from Bobby Brooks and most importantly being able to call him my friend.
Thank you Rob for reminding us all of the gift of Bobby Brooks.
Susan Dodes
_________________________________________
I love this.
I grew up in the time when all these guys were active, legendary, controversial, and inspiring.
I was fortunate to work with a few of them, to have met many of them, and to be totally intimidated by all of them!!
It was ok to be a giant in those days--and they were everywhere; now, not so. I can't think of any giants around these days. Yes, powerful guys and billionaires and such, but those guys had a spirit that we don't really see anymore. And it took a whole community, a whole movement in history to make the ground fertile for these big dudes to become and to take control.
Thanks Rob and best wishes to you
and thanks Bob for posting it.
Wendy Waldman
_________________________________________
this is really nice.
Hilary Rosen
_________________________________________
This is an amazing tribute and Rob is correct. We cannot forget or lose touch with history. I never met Bobby Brooks. I was a newbie working at Belkin Productions at the time. Jules Belkin spoke of Bobby like no other agent. There was no internet that day and word of the accident came across radio early that next morning. I was in the office when we learned that Bobby was on that helicopter. Jules went silent like I had never seen. He was devastated. We all were. Even those that did not know Bobby. It did not hit me how truly young Bobby was until I read Rob's tribute. Way too young. Thank you for sharing.
Denny Young
_________________________________________
Bobby was my agent at ICM during the years that I booked the shows at the Agora Ballroom chain. We did many deals and spoke 4 or 5 times a week. He was a really cool guy...very easy to work with. I'm sure he was under pressure but he was always reasonable and friendly. He deserves all the accolades and recognition. He's gone but not forgotten.
Buddy Maver
_________________________________________
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.
On vacation -listening to Armed Forces Radio Heraklion Crete.
We were sitting on the beach soaking up the sun when the news came in.
I remember crying and my grandmother asking me what was wrong.
I told her about Stevie - what he meant to me and the world of music and I remember they played "Couldn't stand the Weather".
My Grandmother - in her late 80's - unfamiliar with anything but the music of Greece - listened to the song, took my hand and told me that she could understand/feel why I was so sad.
I'll never forget that moment.....
JK
_________________________________________
When I started as a talent buyer for the Don Romeo Agency out of Omaha, NE., I first met Bobby Brooks at the IAFE fair convention in Las Vegas. The conference at the time was where fairs and talent agents met to start the booking process for the upcoming year. CAA had tasked Bobby with the job of selling Rock bands to the agricultural fairs all across North America. I was having a meeting with a fair group discussing potential Rock options. A couple of the fair board members had taken a survey of students in their children's class and wanted my opinion on the results. Bobby was in our suite at that moment, so, I said, "Bobby Brooks is here from CAA and he's an expert in the Rock world let's ask him." Bobby came into the room and sat down and listened intently as the fair board members revealed the results of the survey. "The top vote getters were Anthrax, Testament and Megadeth," one fair member stated. "What do you suggest?" Without missing a beat Bobby replied, "I suggest you get
your kids out of that class as soon as possible," And with that Bobby got up and left the room. Such was his humor.
GIL CUNNINGHAM
_________________________________________
Thank you Bob and Rob for noting the sweetness and kindness of someone whose very presence mattered at a time when the business and those who were in the business sparkled. I sat with Paul Atkinson at that memorial, another pure soul who's left us. Everyone who mourned Bobby knew we had lost an irreplaceable friend, and in hindsight Bobby, and people like Bobby, were part of the American Pie that used to be our cosa nostra.
Fred Ansis
_________________________________________
I worked with Alex Hodges at the time and his Strike Force artist management company had both Stevie Ray and Gregg Allman as management clients then. I remember that first phone call concerning the copter crash and how my heart dropped just as it had when Duane Allman and Berry Oakley from the original Allman Brothers Band line-up were lost in similar motorcycle accidents years earlier. Great talents lost much too early! So many times I thought Gregg would be lost early too, but he is as tough as a rattlesnake and has survived and prospered!
Willie Perkins
_________________________________________
I attended Bobby's funeral on Long Island and remember Graham Nash and Michael Bolton singing during the ceremony.
I had met Bobby many years before because one of my cohorts went to school with him at St. John's. We were agents in another industry (lecture and performing arts) but I absolutely remember how gracious Bobby was when we would see him over the ensuing years (at trade shows and concerts). He was always friendly with no "airs". You would never know he was a star in his field.
The outpouring of emotion at his passing was something I will never forget. Thank you for this tribute.
Tony Colao
Easthampton, MA
_________________________________________
Rob Light for President!
Or at least to book more country acts!
Gordon Brown
_________________________________________
Great piece Rob. Poignant.
Roger Greenawalt
_________________________________________
Right on, Rob Light.
Gary Poole
_________________________________________
Well said. :)
Best Regards, Onward and Upward,
Bryan Taylor
COO Worldwide Music Ventures Inc.
_________________________________________
that's some amazing writing. tell rob light we are appreciative of that and bobby.
halloran
_________________________________________
What a wonderful tribute Rob, thanks.
Swindel
_________________________________________
I remember the name, plus all the acts that he represented.
Reading your piece about Bobby makes me feel like I know him a lot better.
Thanks for sharing
CHEERS!
George Briner
The Valory Music Co.
_________________________________________
I wish someone (hint) would do a book on all these guys. Not just about their accomplishments, but what made them special, what innovations they brought to the field...something that would inspire today's bookers, managers, etc. Was it all just charisma that made them special...what was their secret?
-Rick Saunders
Real Deep Blues
_________________________________________
I'm so happy you sent this out.
Mio Vukovic
_________________________________________
Beautiful tribute by Rob.
They were all on their way to Buddy Guy's Legends club in Printer's Row in Chicago. My friends and I were at the club, tipped that Stevie was going to perform that night - it is hard to describe the awful feeling that set in when the news came that there a fatal helicopter crash.
14 months later, Bill Graham perished in another tragic helicopter crash.
Denisara
_________________________________________
Really beautifully done - he was an amazing guy. -t
Tony D'Amelio
_________________________________________
Thanks for this reminder of this. I remember all to well & it saddens me to this day.
Julie Coulter
_________________________________________
What a wonderful tribute for an amazing person!!
Bobby Brooks was truly one of a kind!
Rob, thanks for being so eloquent!!
Miss you Bobby Brooks!!
Gail Davis Silberman
_________________________________________
oh my goodness. that was so beautiful Bob. I'm a bit stunned right now. Thank you.
Bill Tibbs
_________________________________________
Thank you to that insight to Rob.
We miss him and heart and soul of what he brought.
This is the only way to be in this business.
And in life.
Thank you kindly Bob Lefsetz.
Thank you.
Lyle Chausse
_________________________________________
Dear Bob,
My name is Marla and my father was Dee Anthony. I wanted to write you a quick note to thank you for mentioning him in your recent article. A friend of mine I haven't seen in many many years forwarded it to me. I, in turn, forwarded it to my sister Michele. Well, of course she knows you and responded to me and said how sweet you are and that she had seen you not very long ago.
The music business is not what I saw growing up on the road with my dad. It brings me pure joy to have people like you recognize how great and special and magical it was. I chose to go a different path than my sister but the gold records on my wall, satin jackets from the seventies in my closet and countless memories of falling asleep in the lighting booth at concerts live inside of me.
Thank you for making me smile today. I think of my father every day and today I thought of him because of you .
Marla Anthony Bertsch
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Trump Is The New Hit Single
The biggest story of the year is the failure of Re/code to go it alone. With the number one tech reporter on board, and a plethora of backup, it turned out no one cared, that the "Wall Street Journal" was the brand, and no one had the time, interest or inclination to go elsewhere.
This is a major shift from the era just before, where stars were kings and not only did their audiences follow them to new environs, the establishments that let them go saw their fortunes decline.
Not that every establishment is dying. Concomitant with the death of the star system comes the beefing up of institutions, because they're the only ones who can cut through the noise.
But then there's Viacom, so beholden to Wall Street that it missed the future. And in today's world, once you're one step behind, it's not long before it's two, three and then game over.
I remember the old days. When we all rushed to the movie theatre so we could be part of the public conversation. Can you say "Pulp Fiction"? But then films, like Viacom, became so money-driven, so inane, that adults stopped going. And now it turns out kids are burned out on the superhero flicks, and although I'd like to dig deeper into the failure of Hollywood, its eclipse by television, my only point is that films are no longer dominant. They come and go in weeks at most. Next!
Ironically, since they take so much less money and time to produce, records last longer than ever before. Those that break through. If you don't gain traction, your record is over in a day. You do the publicity buildup and then the project is released, the media moves on to something else, and in most cases you're ignored. Superstars are not immune to this paradigm. Their products are either instant successes or instant failures. And once something gains traction it lasts and lasts and lasts, seemingly looking for every last listener, but also a comfort to those who want life anchors, something to believe in, something that will make this fast-moving world make sense.
And there are a number of dominant musical artists. But despite the publicity, there are distinct walls around their art. People know more about Kanye West than his music. Taylor Swift is always in the news but it's easy to avoid her tunes. And the only people who care about One Direction are the act's fans.
It didn't used to be this way.
"Star Wars" was an endless part of the national discussion. You had to see it in order to weigh in, and you did.
MTV was a national obsession. As was Michael Jackson. He was bigger than the Pope, but he just wanted to be known as the King of Pop.
But, no stars are this big anymore.
Except for Donald Trump.
What do we know about the Donald? He's been in the news forever. And his fame was cemented by television. It turns out that your best chance of lasting is to be a part of the mix, the national discussion, for decades. This is the exact opposite of how today's media corporations play. They're always looking for the new, which they end up finding out is evanescent. This is what oldsters complain about when they say there is no artist development. They remember when artists were nurtured, took chances, went from caterpillars to butterflies. There was a whole arc in the story, which is so different from getting a fresh face to work with the usual suspects. After all, Taylor Swift is a function of the usual suspect known as Max Martin. So, ultimately, there's little there there.
Not that you can say this. Not because you're worried she'll write a song about you. Her squeaky-clean new image won't allow her to do this. But because people need something to believe in. And right now some believe in Taylor Swift.
But many more believe in the Trump show. You don't even have to believe in Trump himself, but the show is amazing.
First there's the self-immolation. Akin to the rock stars of yore. "I'll do what I want to and bear the brunt of the consequences." You're supposed to bow to the powers-that-be and apologize. Instead Trump doubles-down.
Then there's the burning of cash. The loss of "The Apprentice" and beauty pageant telecasts. No one does this. As Taylor Swift invites critics to her house and bakes cookies for nobodies, the Donald is out pissing people off. We haven't had that spirit here since 1969, and it's truly refreshing.
Furthermore, Trump assumes you're smart in a world where everybody is assumed to be dumb. That you can parse the issues and get sarcasm and realize that the front is not the reality. In a nation where you have to get someone to say yes before you can have sex on a college campus, truly SAY yes, as if kids are sexually confident and experienced enough to say anything, Trump claims that political correctness is b.s. Kind of like how Jerry Seinfeld says it's too risky to play college campuses. Isn't it interesting that we're in a heyday of comedy, it seems comedians are the only ones other than Trump who can state the truth.
And Trump reveals the media to be an empty suit over-invested in its importance. Bloviators on TV and in print said his comments about McCain would kill him, it did not. And then there was Megyn Kelly and the Latinos and...
Megyn Kelly... Are you beautiful? The beautiful are one step behind the rich in power. And what Roger Ailes does not realize is the average person will never be rich and never be beautiful and has contempt for the personages with these qualities. I know, it's a conundrum, we worship the rich and beautiful too, but only to a point. And now, with social media, we're willing to dig in and make our point.
Speaking of social media, its importance has been overstated. What it does best is spread a story, and it should be championed for that. As for opinion... If you're listening you're tone-deaf. It doesn't matter what people say online, in most cases few are paying attention, in all cases, the story blows over. Is anybody even mentioning Trump's comments about McCain anymore?
So where does this leave the listener, the watcher, the average person?
Overwhelmed. There's too much info and too much fakery. As a result there's a run to mass, a rallying around institutions. So, the "New York Times" is bigger than ever, forget the financials, it's the news king, it's the only one with boots on the ground, the TV networks may have faces, but they've got no reporters. And on television there's HBO and then also-rans. Not only has HBO run above the pack in talent/shows, it's innovating first, allowing standalone subscriptions. A show on HBO gets scorched earth publicity, one on any other outlet is on its own. And will be canceled unless it makes instant inroads. As for movies, they're moribund, like music, both playing to small audiences while the rest tune out. Sure, people watch old movies and listen to old music, but getting them to partake of new stuff is incredibly difficult, because the providers no longer understand the star system. For a while, the superhero was the franchise, this summer proves otherwise. As for music...it's
lost the plot to the degree most people are unfamiliar with what the industry considers to be stars.
Then again, music festivals are burgeoning, based on the concept that the fan is the star. Which is another change we've seen, everybody believes he's important. But everybody is not a star, and this will only get worse. Not only is there no middle class financially, there will no longer be middle class stars, because people want to pay attention to one thing and one thing only.
Like Donald Trump.
Forget winning the nomination. What we've got now is a movie that the media loves covering, because the people can't stop watching. Every week there's a new story, a new twist and turn. There's fresh data built upon a base of longevity. Furthermore, it's all about confounding the system, and we've become paralyzed and overwhelmed by the system.
Change comes quicker than ever before. Not only did we move from Napster to iTunes to Spotify in little over a decade, but BlackBerry and MySpace tanked along the way. Meaning, not only is the long tail dead, but so is the viral video, rising above based on quality, creating a profitable niche and growing. Today, if you're not in bed with major media, you're never going to make it. You can cut a record without a major label, but you cannot be heard without its help.
But the labels are shooting too low. Into nooks and crannies as opposed to the stratosphere. A ubiquitous act will come along and blow it all away. Adele was a harbinger, but there will be more, like the Beatles and the British Invasion, stuff that appeals to many and sounds little like the pre-'64 pop dominating the airwaves today.
As for film... It's over, no matter what they say. Everybody's got a theatre at home and the only reason to go out is...to go out. Window/schmindow, the movies are only a couple of years and a couple of changes behind the music industry. Instant access, baby, in your own home. Day and date release.
TV is already imploding. The great contraction is upon us. There will be fewer channels and fewer shows.
As for YouTube, that's a sideshow, kind of like social media. Evanescent niches equivalent to drive-bys. Because there's no there there. What triumphs is quality, built over years, exhibited by the usual suspect powers. Which is why Spotify and YouTube are now all about breaking acts, to ensure their power.
So, if you're behind the scenes, know that we're playing a game of musical chairs. There will be a limited number of media outlets with all the eyeballs. And if you're starting today, it's tougher than ever before. And eyeballs are not everything, longevity is. So, the vast wasteland known as the "Huffington Post" is time-stamped. Buzzfeed probably too. Because to survive in this new world you need not only the outlet, but the stars. And if you can name one on the HuffPo other than its self-promoting title character, I'm stunned.
Not only does Universal Music make stars, but so does the "New York Times." And Fox. And what we're learning is the public is demanding a new kind of star, more akin to the old. One whose fame is based on talent and experience, and one who is willing to say not what is expedient, but what he or she believes.
Why did Amy Winehouse become so famous...because she said NO to rehab! Might have killed her, but in a world where there's seemingly a rehab for everything, based on the fiction that any malady can be cured in 30 days, we gravitate to those saying to take the other direction, to speak the truth.
And right now all we've got is Donald Trump. We're all talking about him. We'd like to talk about someone else too, we're hungry to talk about other stars. But so far, the system has been unable to deliver them.
It's a change in character. It's a change in what is pushed. It's the story of the teens.
AND IT'S HAPPENING NOW!
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This is a major shift from the era just before, where stars were kings and not only did their audiences follow them to new environs, the establishments that let them go saw their fortunes decline.
Not that every establishment is dying. Concomitant with the death of the star system comes the beefing up of institutions, because they're the only ones who can cut through the noise.
But then there's Viacom, so beholden to Wall Street that it missed the future. And in today's world, once you're one step behind, it's not long before it's two, three and then game over.
I remember the old days. When we all rushed to the movie theatre so we could be part of the public conversation. Can you say "Pulp Fiction"? But then films, like Viacom, became so money-driven, so inane, that adults stopped going. And now it turns out kids are burned out on the superhero flicks, and although I'd like to dig deeper into the failure of Hollywood, its eclipse by television, my only point is that films are no longer dominant. They come and go in weeks at most. Next!
Ironically, since they take so much less money and time to produce, records last longer than ever before. Those that break through. If you don't gain traction, your record is over in a day. You do the publicity buildup and then the project is released, the media moves on to something else, and in most cases you're ignored. Superstars are not immune to this paradigm. Their products are either instant successes or instant failures. And once something gains traction it lasts and lasts and lasts, seemingly looking for every last listener, but also a comfort to those who want life anchors, something to believe in, something that will make this fast-moving world make sense.
And there are a number of dominant musical artists. But despite the publicity, there are distinct walls around their art. People know more about Kanye West than his music. Taylor Swift is always in the news but it's easy to avoid her tunes. And the only people who care about One Direction are the act's fans.
It didn't used to be this way.
"Star Wars" was an endless part of the national discussion. You had to see it in order to weigh in, and you did.
MTV was a national obsession. As was Michael Jackson. He was bigger than the Pope, but he just wanted to be known as the King of Pop.
But, no stars are this big anymore.
Except for Donald Trump.
What do we know about the Donald? He's been in the news forever. And his fame was cemented by television. It turns out that your best chance of lasting is to be a part of the mix, the national discussion, for decades. This is the exact opposite of how today's media corporations play. They're always looking for the new, which they end up finding out is evanescent. This is what oldsters complain about when they say there is no artist development. They remember when artists were nurtured, took chances, went from caterpillars to butterflies. There was a whole arc in the story, which is so different from getting a fresh face to work with the usual suspects. After all, Taylor Swift is a function of the usual suspect known as Max Martin. So, ultimately, there's little there there.
Not that you can say this. Not because you're worried she'll write a song about you. Her squeaky-clean new image won't allow her to do this. But because people need something to believe in. And right now some believe in Taylor Swift.
But many more believe in the Trump show. You don't even have to believe in Trump himself, but the show is amazing.
First there's the self-immolation. Akin to the rock stars of yore. "I'll do what I want to and bear the brunt of the consequences." You're supposed to bow to the powers-that-be and apologize. Instead Trump doubles-down.
Then there's the burning of cash. The loss of "The Apprentice" and beauty pageant telecasts. No one does this. As Taylor Swift invites critics to her house and bakes cookies for nobodies, the Donald is out pissing people off. We haven't had that spirit here since 1969, and it's truly refreshing.
Furthermore, Trump assumes you're smart in a world where everybody is assumed to be dumb. That you can parse the issues and get sarcasm and realize that the front is not the reality. In a nation where you have to get someone to say yes before you can have sex on a college campus, truly SAY yes, as if kids are sexually confident and experienced enough to say anything, Trump claims that political correctness is b.s. Kind of like how Jerry Seinfeld says it's too risky to play college campuses. Isn't it interesting that we're in a heyday of comedy, it seems comedians are the only ones other than Trump who can state the truth.
And Trump reveals the media to be an empty suit over-invested in its importance. Bloviators on TV and in print said his comments about McCain would kill him, it did not. And then there was Megyn Kelly and the Latinos and...
Megyn Kelly... Are you beautiful? The beautiful are one step behind the rich in power. And what Roger Ailes does not realize is the average person will never be rich and never be beautiful and has contempt for the personages with these qualities. I know, it's a conundrum, we worship the rich and beautiful too, but only to a point. And now, with social media, we're willing to dig in and make our point.
Speaking of social media, its importance has been overstated. What it does best is spread a story, and it should be championed for that. As for opinion... If you're listening you're tone-deaf. It doesn't matter what people say online, in most cases few are paying attention, in all cases, the story blows over. Is anybody even mentioning Trump's comments about McCain anymore?
So where does this leave the listener, the watcher, the average person?
Overwhelmed. There's too much info and too much fakery. As a result there's a run to mass, a rallying around institutions. So, the "New York Times" is bigger than ever, forget the financials, it's the news king, it's the only one with boots on the ground, the TV networks may have faces, but they've got no reporters. And on television there's HBO and then also-rans. Not only has HBO run above the pack in talent/shows, it's innovating first, allowing standalone subscriptions. A show on HBO gets scorched earth publicity, one on any other outlet is on its own. And will be canceled unless it makes instant inroads. As for movies, they're moribund, like music, both playing to small audiences while the rest tune out. Sure, people watch old movies and listen to old music, but getting them to partake of new stuff is incredibly difficult, because the providers no longer understand the star system. For a while, the superhero was the franchise, this summer proves otherwise. As for music...it's
lost the plot to the degree most people are unfamiliar with what the industry considers to be stars.
Then again, music festivals are burgeoning, based on the concept that the fan is the star. Which is another change we've seen, everybody believes he's important. But everybody is not a star, and this will only get worse. Not only is there no middle class financially, there will no longer be middle class stars, because people want to pay attention to one thing and one thing only.
Like Donald Trump.
Forget winning the nomination. What we've got now is a movie that the media loves covering, because the people can't stop watching. Every week there's a new story, a new twist and turn. There's fresh data built upon a base of longevity. Furthermore, it's all about confounding the system, and we've become paralyzed and overwhelmed by the system.
Change comes quicker than ever before. Not only did we move from Napster to iTunes to Spotify in little over a decade, but BlackBerry and MySpace tanked along the way. Meaning, not only is the long tail dead, but so is the viral video, rising above based on quality, creating a profitable niche and growing. Today, if you're not in bed with major media, you're never going to make it. You can cut a record without a major label, but you cannot be heard without its help.
But the labels are shooting too low. Into nooks and crannies as opposed to the stratosphere. A ubiquitous act will come along and blow it all away. Adele was a harbinger, but there will be more, like the Beatles and the British Invasion, stuff that appeals to many and sounds little like the pre-'64 pop dominating the airwaves today.
As for film... It's over, no matter what they say. Everybody's got a theatre at home and the only reason to go out is...to go out. Window/schmindow, the movies are only a couple of years and a couple of changes behind the music industry. Instant access, baby, in your own home. Day and date release.
TV is already imploding. The great contraction is upon us. There will be fewer channels and fewer shows.
As for YouTube, that's a sideshow, kind of like social media. Evanescent niches equivalent to drive-bys. Because there's no there there. What triumphs is quality, built over years, exhibited by the usual suspect powers. Which is why Spotify and YouTube are now all about breaking acts, to ensure their power.
So, if you're behind the scenes, know that we're playing a game of musical chairs. There will be a limited number of media outlets with all the eyeballs. And if you're starting today, it's tougher than ever before. And eyeballs are not everything, longevity is. So, the vast wasteland known as the "Huffington Post" is time-stamped. Buzzfeed probably too. Because to survive in this new world you need not only the outlet, but the stars. And if you can name one on the HuffPo other than its self-promoting title character, I'm stunned.
Not only does Universal Music make stars, but so does the "New York Times." And Fox. And what we're learning is the public is demanding a new kind of star, more akin to the old. One whose fame is based on talent and experience, and one who is willing to say not what is expedient, but what he or she believes.
Why did Amy Winehouse become so famous...because she said NO to rehab! Might have killed her, but in a world where there's seemingly a rehab for everything, based on the fiction that any malady can be cured in 30 days, we gravitate to those saying to take the other direction, to speak the truth.
And right now all we've got is Donald Trump. We're all talking about him. We'd like to talk about someone else too, we're hungry to talk about other stars. But so far, the system has been unable to deliver them.
It's a change in character. It's a change in what is pushed. It's the story of the teens.
AND IT'S HAPPENING NOW!
--
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--
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Wednesday 26 August 2015
Rob Light On Bobby Brooks
Tomorrow is the 25th Anniversary of a tragic day. On that day, 25 years ago...a helicopter went down traveling from Alpine Valley to Chicago, post a legendary show that featured Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray. Stevie Ray Vaughan was on that helicopter, and therefore will be a big topic of conversation, radio tributes and the like.
There were three others on that helicopter, bodyguard Nigel Brown, tour manager Colin Smythe and legendary agent Bobby Brooks. My heart goes out to the loved ones of Nigel, Colin and Stevie. But I wanted August 27th to be more than an reminder of a sad day; for me it is really about Bobby.
There are few legacies in the music business...even the greatest of the great become footnotes as the generations pass...most label execs today don't really know who Walter Yetnikoff, Mo Ostin, or Joe Smith were or what they accomplished, great managers like Dee Anthony, Peter Grant, David Krebs and Steve Leber are rarely discussed, groundbreaking promoters like Bill Graham, Cecil Corbett, Jack Boyle and Jules Belkin are not mentioned; and even Frank Barsalona, who invented the profession that is the modern day agent goes unknown to this generation. (Forgive me for all the names I could have and should have included).
Bobby was 34 when he died. By most measures, he was just starting in the business. Yet his memorial was so big it was held at the Universal Amphitheatre with over 3000 in attendance. How does such a young man have that much impact on an industry?
Bobby was special in a totally unique way...and I would be heartbroken if this anniversary passed without some acknowledgment and insight into this wonderful soul.
He grew up in New Jersey, found music in the late sixties, and went to St. John's in the early seventies. He was the college concert chairman, and all he ever wanted to do was book bands. I met him at a college convention in 1976, was amazed at how quickly he made friends, how much he knew about the business and the music, and how badly he wanted to be a part of it. His passion was both inspiring and overwhelming. He LOVED music, especially live music...and he would go anywhere and everywhere to see it, and nothing would keep him from working in an industry that was his calling.
Out of college in 1977, Bobby went to the mailroom at ICM. He got out of the mailroom in a matter of weeks, and was made an agent in less than a year. In 1987, he was the fifth agent to join CAA's music department...and was a critical component to CAA music's early explosive growth.
You might be thinking, so what.
But Bobby was one of a kind. When you first met him, you thought, "Who is this nerdy guy, with the big horn-rimmed glasses?" Yet, he had a unique ability to befriend everyone...not just artists, managers, and executives...but every assistant, every security guard, every roadie, every person in a box office...he knew and remembered all of them, embraced them, made them laugh, interacted with them...and in turn every one of them would bend over backwards to help him and support him. He loved music, and so could talk about songs, songwriters, producers, and when and where records were recorded. And the artists loved him for that! His clients included, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Kenny Loggins, America and Crosby, Stills and Nash (and so many more). All selling out arenas, and amphitheatres, and all benefiting from Bobby's vision, and embrace of their talents.
He had a passion for the artist and the art, and knew how to express it in the most sincere way. He was never selling you; because he was always so enthusiastic that you felt like you were being let in on something great.
Bobby had a wickedly, devilish sense of humor, that would allow him to disarm any situation, unwinding the most complicated problem, while making you blush and laugh out loud. At the same time, he was kind and giving and always, always a loyal friend.
He brought a sense of joy, childish innocence and awe to his job...as he stood backstage at a show, he would comment on how he could not believe he was there, and that he would pay to have the job. Were he alive today, he would be running a major agency, have a client list that would be the envy of all, would be making everyone laugh (CEOs, young executives and parking attendants alike), and he would be at every concert, every festival, and every awards show in a bit of awe that he was in this business. Because despite the embrace and success, he was never quite sure he belonged.
The memorial at Universal was a who's who of the music industry as well as countless people whom no one would recognize- because Bobby touched them all. Graham Nash and Jackson Browne sang, and tributes from the heart poured out from numerous speakers. It was one of the saddest days I will ever know, and yet it was a celebration of a man who touched so many lives with simple acts of kindness, recognition, follow-up, love and friendship. And therein lies what is so special and unique about Bobby, HE CARED!
There are so many great and funny stories to tell, I will leave it to others to share theirs.
I don't expect the newer generations to care much about the person (though I wish they would, history is so important). But, it is my hope it that my dear friend, Bobby Brooks, will remind people that reveling in what you do, embracing all those around you, and loving the art and the artist, can make for a very special life. A life we honor today, 25 years after it was taken too soon.
I miss you my friend!
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There were three others on that helicopter, bodyguard Nigel Brown, tour manager Colin Smythe and legendary agent Bobby Brooks. My heart goes out to the loved ones of Nigel, Colin and Stevie. But I wanted August 27th to be more than an reminder of a sad day; for me it is really about Bobby.
There are few legacies in the music business...even the greatest of the great become footnotes as the generations pass...most label execs today don't really know who Walter Yetnikoff, Mo Ostin, or Joe Smith were or what they accomplished, great managers like Dee Anthony, Peter Grant, David Krebs and Steve Leber are rarely discussed, groundbreaking promoters like Bill Graham, Cecil Corbett, Jack Boyle and Jules Belkin are not mentioned; and even Frank Barsalona, who invented the profession that is the modern day agent goes unknown to this generation. (Forgive me for all the names I could have and should have included).
Bobby was 34 when he died. By most measures, he was just starting in the business. Yet his memorial was so big it was held at the Universal Amphitheatre with over 3000 in attendance. How does such a young man have that much impact on an industry?
Bobby was special in a totally unique way...and I would be heartbroken if this anniversary passed without some acknowledgment and insight into this wonderful soul.
He grew up in New Jersey, found music in the late sixties, and went to St. John's in the early seventies. He was the college concert chairman, and all he ever wanted to do was book bands. I met him at a college convention in 1976, was amazed at how quickly he made friends, how much he knew about the business and the music, and how badly he wanted to be a part of it. His passion was both inspiring and overwhelming. He LOVED music, especially live music...and he would go anywhere and everywhere to see it, and nothing would keep him from working in an industry that was his calling.
Out of college in 1977, Bobby went to the mailroom at ICM. He got out of the mailroom in a matter of weeks, and was made an agent in less than a year. In 1987, he was the fifth agent to join CAA's music department...and was a critical component to CAA music's early explosive growth.
You might be thinking, so what.
But Bobby was one of a kind. When you first met him, you thought, "Who is this nerdy guy, with the big horn-rimmed glasses?" Yet, he had a unique ability to befriend everyone...not just artists, managers, and executives...but every assistant, every security guard, every roadie, every person in a box office...he knew and remembered all of them, embraced them, made them laugh, interacted with them...and in turn every one of them would bend over backwards to help him and support him. He loved music, and so could talk about songs, songwriters, producers, and when and where records were recorded. And the artists loved him for that! His clients included, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Kenny Loggins, America and Crosby, Stills and Nash (and so many more). All selling out arenas, and amphitheatres, and all benefiting from Bobby's vision, and embrace of their talents.
He had a passion for the artist and the art, and knew how to express it in the most sincere way. He was never selling you; because he was always so enthusiastic that you felt like you were being let in on something great.
Bobby had a wickedly, devilish sense of humor, that would allow him to disarm any situation, unwinding the most complicated problem, while making you blush and laugh out loud. At the same time, he was kind and giving and always, always a loyal friend.
He brought a sense of joy, childish innocence and awe to his job...as he stood backstage at a show, he would comment on how he could not believe he was there, and that he would pay to have the job. Were he alive today, he would be running a major agency, have a client list that would be the envy of all, would be making everyone laugh (CEOs, young executives and parking attendants alike), and he would be at every concert, every festival, and every awards show in a bit of awe that he was in this business. Because despite the embrace and success, he was never quite sure he belonged.
The memorial at Universal was a who's who of the music industry as well as countless people whom no one would recognize- because Bobby touched them all. Graham Nash and Jackson Browne sang, and tributes from the heart poured out from numerous speakers. It was one of the saddest days I will ever know, and yet it was a celebration of a man who touched so many lives with simple acts of kindness, recognition, follow-up, love and friendship. And therein lies what is so special and unique about Bobby, HE CARED!
There are so many great and funny stories to tell, I will leave it to others to share theirs.
I don't expect the newer generations to care much about the person (though I wish they would, history is so important). But, it is my hope it that my dear friend, Bobby Brooks, will remind people that reveling in what you do, embracing all those around you, and loving the art and the artist, can make for a very special life. A life we honor today, 25 years after it was taken too soon.
I miss you my friend!
--
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Tuesday 25 August 2015
Tech Specs
There are few things as gratifying in this crazy mixed-up world than navigating the digital morass and making things work.
Greetings from Colorado, where I've been sick as a dog.
Antibiotics, do you take them or not? I wish all the people agitating against GMOs and vaccines would refuse to use antibiotics, not because I want them to be sick, but because I want to eliminate immunity to their effects. That's what I find fascinating about the firebrands against modern life, they're quick to use its benefits when they suit them. They're against stem cell research until it's going to cure their mother's cancer, never mind their own. And these same upper class Westsiders who refuse to vaccinate their children don't think twice about employing modern medicine at the hint of a sniffle. So if I finally decide to take a drug, it won't work!
Not that I started out on them.
You see I waited a week. As my head spun and then became gripped in a vice and I could not sleep for all the coughing.
I resorted to web research. They said it's usually a virus. I'm anxious about calling the doctor on the weekend. But then when I had that coughing fit where I felt my insides were turned inside out I saw no other option, I called the doc.
Who was loath to diagnose over the phone. Everybody's worried about liability. But he did prescribe a Z-Pak.
Z-Pak? I don't need no stinking Z-Pak, I need the big guns, Biaxin, Cipro, give me something nuclear that will kill everything in sight, I don't want to wait another week to find out the heavy artillery is required.
Yes, this is how far we've come, where the overprescription and overuse of antibiotics has made it so they don't work.
But mine seems to be.
Which is astounding, now I feel dumb, I should have called earlier. But I can't be that sick, I'm not entitled to be, until I die. I had visions of Jim Henson twirling in my brain.
Now I'm on my way back.
But being locked up in the condo due to my malaise, Felice wanted to know, DO WE GET NETFLIX?
Ah, what I hate about the technologically-challenged.
I hate that they stretch a non-HD signal to fit the whole screen. I like my people to look normal as opposed to something you'd view through a fisheye lens.
And I hate those all-in-one remote controls. Because they too are a bear to figure out and they eliminate all the utility a power user like me needs. So, either leave out utility in the first place, just allow televisions to go off and on and change channel, or allow me to go behind the scenes and extract the object of my desire.
So, what you've got is a bunch of sets with wide pictures and no internet connection. Do I go in deep, do I risk the wrath of the hoi polloi?
OF COURSE!
First I set the picture to a normal width.
And then I try to figure out internet access.
Both TVs are too old, they've got no apps.
How about the receiver? Or the Blu-ray player?
DON'T TOUCH THE REMOTE CONTROL! USE THE ALL-IN-ONE ONLY!
Word had come down from on high, from those who'd gotten me into this pickle.
But I couldn't even find the other remote controls. That's right, the plethora of devices I needed to do my dirty work were hidden, so no one would mess up the system, it took me fifteen minutes to find them.
But alas, I did.
And I'm pushing buttons and finding out the receiver is too old.
But that Samsung Blu-ray player...it's got APPS!
But how do you find them?
Samsung put in a chip so slow you could wait for Godot before the screen redraws. And then you've got the dreaded system upgrade, which I had to do twice.
And then you've got to download the apps. And use the arrow buttons to enter user name and password. But I got Netflix and Amazon working, voila!
But I couldn't get HBO GO to go.
It's a complicated procedure. You load the app and get a code. Then you've got to get on your laptop and enter it. Only you can't, you keep getting an error message, saying that Time Warner is tied-up.
I'd like to tie up Time Warner. Dealing with the cable company is the new car buying, you spend hours and you still get screwed, everybody gets a different price. But since the cable providers are so worried about getting screwed by the internet, with the users going straight to the content makers, they put up hurdles that almost no one can jump.
But I love a challenge.
That's right, I've got to tell Time Warner Cable I'm a subscriber before they'll let me use the HBO I pay for on my distant TV.
But the error message keeps telling me to try again later, that the system is down.
But after three attempts over three hours I no longer believe this, I've got to go deeper, I turn to my trusted friend Google.
Where I find everybody's been tearing their hair out about this for YEARS!
So I'm on the message boards, I've got multiple tabs open, and then I discover...
You've got to allow third party cookies.
First I thought it was a browser issue. But I stayed in Safari, allowed third party cookies, and I got HBO Go installed in Colorado...AND I FEEL LIKE A KING!
There's no manual anymore. You can go to school and still not know how to do things. In the free economy there's no instruction booklet, no help, and the end result is you're either left out or you must dive in, go up the river in search of solutions.
Recent writing has told us the young 'uns are not as smart as they appear, they cannot fix everything. But at least they know to push buttons, that you're on your own. The young 'uns are inured to the new economy, they realize it's every man for himself, the oldsters are still waiting for someone to reach out and touch them, make it all good, but if you think that way you're already on your way out.
We're all digital miners today. We're all pioneers in search of gold. Those on the cutting edge wreak havoc with institutions, never mind Ashley Madison, how about UCLA Medical Center, where my details were broached by a hacker? You see knowledge is power, and the knowledge of your digital devices unlocks all kinds of power, it's like life is a video game and you have to keep going up higher levels.
You don't want to get stuck at go, at the bottom, then you're left out.
Like so many of my boomer brethren. They don't know how to extract the power from their devices.
But I do, I'm up for the challenge. And when I succeed, when I make sense of the digital puzzle, I feel like a king.
In my own mind anyway, no one else is paying attention.
But I guess that's how it is today, you've got to have self-satisfaction, it's astounding anybody can even communicate, especially the oldsters, who have no idea what Kik or Snapchat are, never mind WeChat. As for the youngsters...they're on overload.
So I look for satiation where I can find it.
And today I got it.
I'll probably never watch more than an hour on the set, but I broke through, I chased the dragon down the rabbit hole and emerged victorious.
Take that digital industrial complex!
--
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Greetings from Colorado, where I've been sick as a dog.
Antibiotics, do you take them or not? I wish all the people agitating against GMOs and vaccines would refuse to use antibiotics, not because I want them to be sick, but because I want to eliminate immunity to their effects. That's what I find fascinating about the firebrands against modern life, they're quick to use its benefits when they suit them. They're against stem cell research until it's going to cure their mother's cancer, never mind their own. And these same upper class Westsiders who refuse to vaccinate their children don't think twice about employing modern medicine at the hint of a sniffle. So if I finally decide to take a drug, it won't work!
Not that I started out on them.
You see I waited a week. As my head spun and then became gripped in a vice and I could not sleep for all the coughing.
I resorted to web research. They said it's usually a virus. I'm anxious about calling the doctor on the weekend. But then when I had that coughing fit where I felt my insides were turned inside out I saw no other option, I called the doc.
Who was loath to diagnose over the phone. Everybody's worried about liability. But he did prescribe a Z-Pak.
Z-Pak? I don't need no stinking Z-Pak, I need the big guns, Biaxin, Cipro, give me something nuclear that will kill everything in sight, I don't want to wait another week to find out the heavy artillery is required.
Yes, this is how far we've come, where the overprescription and overuse of antibiotics has made it so they don't work.
But mine seems to be.
Which is astounding, now I feel dumb, I should have called earlier. But I can't be that sick, I'm not entitled to be, until I die. I had visions of Jim Henson twirling in my brain.
Now I'm on my way back.
But being locked up in the condo due to my malaise, Felice wanted to know, DO WE GET NETFLIX?
Ah, what I hate about the technologically-challenged.
I hate that they stretch a non-HD signal to fit the whole screen. I like my people to look normal as opposed to something you'd view through a fisheye lens.
And I hate those all-in-one remote controls. Because they too are a bear to figure out and they eliminate all the utility a power user like me needs. So, either leave out utility in the first place, just allow televisions to go off and on and change channel, or allow me to go behind the scenes and extract the object of my desire.
So, what you've got is a bunch of sets with wide pictures and no internet connection. Do I go in deep, do I risk the wrath of the hoi polloi?
OF COURSE!
First I set the picture to a normal width.
And then I try to figure out internet access.
Both TVs are too old, they've got no apps.
How about the receiver? Or the Blu-ray player?
DON'T TOUCH THE REMOTE CONTROL! USE THE ALL-IN-ONE ONLY!
Word had come down from on high, from those who'd gotten me into this pickle.
But I couldn't even find the other remote controls. That's right, the plethora of devices I needed to do my dirty work were hidden, so no one would mess up the system, it took me fifteen minutes to find them.
But alas, I did.
And I'm pushing buttons and finding out the receiver is too old.
But that Samsung Blu-ray player...it's got APPS!
But how do you find them?
Samsung put in a chip so slow you could wait for Godot before the screen redraws. And then you've got the dreaded system upgrade, which I had to do twice.
And then you've got to download the apps. And use the arrow buttons to enter user name and password. But I got Netflix and Amazon working, voila!
But I couldn't get HBO GO to go.
It's a complicated procedure. You load the app and get a code. Then you've got to get on your laptop and enter it. Only you can't, you keep getting an error message, saying that Time Warner is tied-up.
I'd like to tie up Time Warner. Dealing with the cable company is the new car buying, you spend hours and you still get screwed, everybody gets a different price. But since the cable providers are so worried about getting screwed by the internet, with the users going straight to the content makers, they put up hurdles that almost no one can jump.
But I love a challenge.
That's right, I've got to tell Time Warner Cable I'm a subscriber before they'll let me use the HBO I pay for on my distant TV.
But the error message keeps telling me to try again later, that the system is down.
But after three attempts over three hours I no longer believe this, I've got to go deeper, I turn to my trusted friend Google.
Where I find everybody's been tearing their hair out about this for YEARS!
So I'm on the message boards, I've got multiple tabs open, and then I discover...
You've got to allow third party cookies.
First I thought it was a browser issue. But I stayed in Safari, allowed third party cookies, and I got HBO Go installed in Colorado...AND I FEEL LIKE A KING!
There's no manual anymore. You can go to school and still not know how to do things. In the free economy there's no instruction booklet, no help, and the end result is you're either left out or you must dive in, go up the river in search of solutions.
Recent writing has told us the young 'uns are not as smart as they appear, they cannot fix everything. But at least they know to push buttons, that you're on your own. The young 'uns are inured to the new economy, they realize it's every man for himself, the oldsters are still waiting for someone to reach out and touch them, make it all good, but if you think that way you're already on your way out.
We're all digital miners today. We're all pioneers in search of gold. Those on the cutting edge wreak havoc with institutions, never mind Ashley Madison, how about UCLA Medical Center, where my details were broached by a hacker? You see knowledge is power, and the knowledge of your digital devices unlocks all kinds of power, it's like life is a video game and you have to keep going up higher levels.
You don't want to get stuck at go, at the bottom, then you're left out.
Like so many of my boomer brethren. They don't know how to extract the power from their devices.
But I do, I'm up for the challenge. And when I succeed, when I make sense of the digital puzzle, I feel like a king.
In my own mind anyway, no one else is paying attention.
But I guess that's how it is today, you've got to have self-satisfaction, it's astounding anybody can even communicate, especially the oldsters, who have no idea what Kik or Snapchat are, never mind WeChat. As for the youngsters...they're on overload.
So I look for satiation where I can find it.
And today I got it.
I'll probably never watch more than an hour on the set, but I broke through, I chased the dragon down the rabbit hole and emerged victorious.
Take that digital industrial complex!
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz
--
If you would like to subscribe to the LefsetzLetter,
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The Billboard Kerfuffle
"Callous Billboard survey asks: Who's lying, Kesha or Dr. Luke?": http://pge.sx/1JrHAeO
It's the pursuit of clicks.
And I'd laugh if it wasn't emblematic of our country at large.
Kind of like this Biden madness. The only person pointing out the fallacy in a Biden run is Nate Silver, who suddenly no longer has a platform of significance, so he's being drowned out by the prognostications of those looking for clicks, doing so without any data input whatsoever. Forget Silver's tweets, which are being sent into a no-man's land from which they will never escape, but on his site, fivethirtyeight.com, they parse the data and show that no one entering the race this late has ever won the nomination: http://53eig.ht/1V7C2OQ
But don't let facts get in the way of a good story.
Kind of like Lucian Grainge losing his job. Remember that one? A completely insane idea that was cooked up by someone looking to retaliate against Universal Music. But, once again, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Kind of like facts in general. There's an interesting article in today's "New York Times" how facts don't matter, how people are just digging their heels in deeper, flaunting internet searches to boost their position ("The Widening World of Hand-Picked Truths": http://nyti.ms/1EgO303). It's what we see everywhere, the disempowered use bogus science and the megaphone of the internet to spread a story that's just not true. Can you say vaccinations? Then there's everybody up in arms about GMOs. Label them all you want, but the truth is you're consuming genetically modified items on a regular basis, it's how companies compete with pests.
But they cannot stop you. From saying whatever you want. In your ignorance. That's what "Hamilton" has so right, that you've got to be in the room to know what's going on. But since that excludes nearly everybody, they go online anyway and spew their ignorance.
But the difference is the media is now on the bandwagon. The oldsters wondering how to make the transition to digital and the newbies trying to steal their thunder. And since we live in a world where money is everything, we've evolved into a lowest common denominator culture wherein you'll say anything if it gets clicks.
Otherwise why have this "Billboard" survey.
Talk about a company caught flat-footed by the internet revolution. The outlet still can't catch up, it still hasn't figured out how to adequately measure today's success. They've rolled up sales and streams into a concoction no one can understand, that is nearly meaningless, because they're too afraid to piss off any vested interest.
But the truth is the moribund music industry has no cash to invest in advertising, so "Billboard" has gone mass market. But it doesn't do this as well as Buzzfeed and the rest of the outlets who started on the internet. So we've got endless analysis which is equivalent to "this is what happened, I called the people involved, this is what they said" reported by nobodies who'll write for someone else soon. Now, more than ever, we want trusted sources, and the writers for "Billboard" are not that.
It's what we need in America at large. Leaders.
One could argue that Kanye West is one, or was one, before his campaign became about rich fashion houses keeping him down. Huh? Bernie Sanders knows you've got to make it about everyman, but Kanye keeps making it about himself. Is this the message we want to send, one of personal aggrievement and aggrandizement?
Which is what we've got. Everybody's online establishing their brand, irrelevant if there's any content behind it. Interested in himself, not anyone else. And the noise is deafening and the supposed paragons of excellence have punted.
The "Wall Street Journal" has become like its cousin Fox News. Remember when we used to get pissed about the bias of that outlet? Now everybody knows Fox News is Republican blather, not radically different from Rush Limbaugh's spewings.
And "Billboard" has decided it's not about facts, but eyeballs. And sure, audience is important, but you used to gain that with gravitas, credibility ruled.
But no one's home at the outlet anyway. Did they even call a lawyer before they started the shenanigans? Sure, the people they're asking about are public figures, but falsehoods only reign unfettered when they're not said with malicious aforethought. Who's vetting the rumors spewed by respondents?
Or maybe you can consider it opinion.
But don't we have too much of that already?
Let's see what the courts have to say about Dr. Luke and Kesha.
The music business is self-correcting. Do a bad job and you lose your job.
As for "Billboard"...
Want a few hints?
Make a few stars. Have someone on your staff who we can believe in. Hell, even hire a few people who can run stats and interpret them.
Even better, redesign your site. It's so poor it takes away from anything written.
And know that when the market is in turmoil, you succeed by going upscale, not downscale. You don't get down into the pit, you rise above it.
But that's impossible at "Billboard" today. Because there's no one home. No one running the operation with any history and understanding of the music business. And the staff... Worthless wimps bloviating about what they don't know uninterestingly.
So let this be a lesson. Fight back against the inanity. Refuse to let click-bait rule. Know that when this is all done, we'll have a bunch of winners who extrude comprehension from chaos.
We'll have a few hit records.
And a few rulers.
We want someone to believe in, who makes sense.
And right now, all we've got is Donald Trump. And that's a start. He's a beacon for the future. Standing up to Roger Ailes and Fox News. Not worrying about what the establishment thinks.
But Trump is a buffoon who can't win.
But there are a bunch of winners out there. Let's get behind them and weed out all the nonsense.
Like the kind you find in "Billboard."
--
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--
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It's the pursuit of clicks.
And I'd laugh if it wasn't emblematic of our country at large.
Kind of like this Biden madness. The only person pointing out the fallacy in a Biden run is Nate Silver, who suddenly no longer has a platform of significance, so he's being drowned out by the prognostications of those looking for clicks, doing so without any data input whatsoever. Forget Silver's tweets, which are being sent into a no-man's land from which they will never escape, but on his site, fivethirtyeight.com, they parse the data and show that no one entering the race this late has ever won the nomination: http://53eig.ht/1V7C2OQ
But don't let facts get in the way of a good story.
Kind of like Lucian Grainge losing his job. Remember that one? A completely insane idea that was cooked up by someone looking to retaliate against Universal Music. But, once again, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Kind of like facts in general. There's an interesting article in today's "New York Times" how facts don't matter, how people are just digging their heels in deeper, flaunting internet searches to boost their position ("The Widening World of Hand-Picked Truths": http://nyti.ms/1EgO303). It's what we see everywhere, the disempowered use bogus science and the megaphone of the internet to spread a story that's just not true. Can you say vaccinations? Then there's everybody up in arms about GMOs. Label them all you want, but the truth is you're consuming genetically modified items on a regular basis, it's how companies compete with pests.
But they cannot stop you. From saying whatever you want. In your ignorance. That's what "Hamilton" has so right, that you've got to be in the room to know what's going on. But since that excludes nearly everybody, they go online anyway and spew their ignorance.
But the difference is the media is now on the bandwagon. The oldsters wondering how to make the transition to digital and the newbies trying to steal their thunder. And since we live in a world where money is everything, we've evolved into a lowest common denominator culture wherein you'll say anything if it gets clicks.
Otherwise why have this "Billboard" survey.
Talk about a company caught flat-footed by the internet revolution. The outlet still can't catch up, it still hasn't figured out how to adequately measure today's success. They've rolled up sales and streams into a concoction no one can understand, that is nearly meaningless, because they're too afraid to piss off any vested interest.
But the truth is the moribund music industry has no cash to invest in advertising, so "Billboard" has gone mass market. But it doesn't do this as well as Buzzfeed and the rest of the outlets who started on the internet. So we've got endless analysis which is equivalent to "this is what happened, I called the people involved, this is what they said" reported by nobodies who'll write for someone else soon. Now, more than ever, we want trusted sources, and the writers for "Billboard" are not that.
It's what we need in America at large. Leaders.
One could argue that Kanye West is one, or was one, before his campaign became about rich fashion houses keeping him down. Huh? Bernie Sanders knows you've got to make it about everyman, but Kanye keeps making it about himself. Is this the message we want to send, one of personal aggrievement and aggrandizement?
Which is what we've got. Everybody's online establishing their brand, irrelevant if there's any content behind it. Interested in himself, not anyone else. And the noise is deafening and the supposed paragons of excellence have punted.
The "Wall Street Journal" has become like its cousin Fox News. Remember when we used to get pissed about the bias of that outlet? Now everybody knows Fox News is Republican blather, not radically different from Rush Limbaugh's spewings.
And "Billboard" has decided it's not about facts, but eyeballs. And sure, audience is important, but you used to gain that with gravitas, credibility ruled.
But no one's home at the outlet anyway. Did they even call a lawyer before they started the shenanigans? Sure, the people they're asking about are public figures, but falsehoods only reign unfettered when they're not said with malicious aforethought. Who's vetting the rumors spewed by respondents?
Or maybe you can consider it opinion.
But don't we have too much of that already?
Let's see what the courts have to say about Dr. Luke and Kesha.
The music business is self-correcting. Do a bad job and you lose your job.
As for "Billboard"...
Want a few hints?
Make a few stars. Have someone on your staff who we can believe in. Hell, even hire a few people who can run stats and interpret them.
Even better, redesign your site. It's so poor it takes away from anything written.
And know that when the market is in turmoil, you succeed by going upscale, not downscale. You don't get down into the pit, you rise above it.
But that's impossible at "Billboard" today. Because there's no one home. No one running the operation with any history and understanding of the music business. And the staff... Worthless wimps bloviating about what they don't know uninterestingly.
So let this be a lesson. Fight back against the inanity. Refuse to let click-bait rule. Know that when this is all done, we'll have a bunch of winners who extrude comprehension from chaos.
We'll have a few hit records.
And a few rulers.
We want someone to believe in, who makes sense.
And right now, all we've got is Donald Trump. And that's a start. He's a beacon for the future. Standing up to Roger Ailes and Fox News. Not worrying about what the establishment thinks.
But Trump is a buffoon who can't win.
But there are a bunch of winners out there. Let's get behind them and weed out all the nonsense.
Like the kind you find in "Billboard."
--
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--
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Monday 24 August 2015
Penn Jillette On Here's The Thing
http://www.wnyc.org/story/htt-penn-jillette/
I'm curious. Everybody's got a story and I want to hear it. I'll posit your story is your life's work, how can you convey your experiences such that a listener will get the gist of who you are, where you're coming from, what you're about.
Back before David Letterman turned late night into a comedy program, Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett interviewed people. They didn't have to come prepared with a funny story, they just had to answer the questions, they just had to be real, they just had to be themselves.
And this is the underbelly of the podcast revolution. Human beings are long-winded, they've got a lot to say, and the truth is we want to hear it. How did you get here? Are you happy? What's the truth behind that rumor? These questions are all answered in podcasts, and right now the man doing the best job as inquisitor is Alec Baldwin.
Who knew? Short-fused actor turns out to be an intellectual, who can banter with the best of them. That's right, asking questions is not enough, you've got to parse the answers, know when to go deeper. And when you've got a guest who's willing, the results are stunning.
I'm not a huge fan of magic, or juggling. But I love Penn & Teller. Because they know the whole thing is a ruse, that there is no magic, that there is no channeling. They're a constant warning to raise your level of perception, to realize this world is full of hokum and once you become a victim, you're hopeless. And Penn goes into this, when he found out Kreskin was faking it, he became completely disillusioned. But, if it's presented on stage, if people go home knowing you didn't saw that woman in half and you didn't read anybody's mind, he's comfortable with that.
What is Penn's career based on?
Juggling. Takes six years to be good. That's why the teen phenoms come and go. There's no there there, they've never done the work.
And after practicing, the work Penn Jillette did was street-performing.
But not like everybody else. He wore a three thousand dollar watch, a multi-thousand dollar suit. Because his goal was to get you to put a twenty in the hat, not a quarter. Penn defined his goals and knew how to get there. And knew if you were just like everybody else, you had no chance.
What else did Penn possess?
An incredible line of b.s. That's how you succeed in the world. Through conversation. You have to know how to open the door and then put your foot in it and keep it open, a skill most don't have, never mind work on. "Pay attention to my stuff!" is not banter, and it doesn't work. Penn got the drama critic of the "Philadelphia Inquirer" to come to his magic show by not only going to see him, but demonstrating his wares live, to the point the critic was intrigued. Professionals are all jaded, they're suckers for something new and good, and only that.
And, Penn was willing to stand up for himself. That's the difference between baby boomers and millennials. Question authority, speak truth to power, the boomers were taught by their heroes, to let their freak flags fly and be themselves. Whereas millennials are all about fitting in. I don't know about you, but I couldn't work in a cubicle farm, busy praising everybody else's work and eating lunch together and being nice. Winners are unique loners, like Penn. He can only be himself. And this is what draws people to him. He told the "Inquirer" critic his review was crap, that he misunderstood the show. The "Inquirer" critic then asked Penn for an interview and the right to re-review the show.
Not that every authority figure is amenable. But life is long and hard, and if you're busy sucking up you might make it to the top of the corporation, but you'll never make it to the top of the art heap.
At least not before. In today's me-too world, that's what people expect. And then "Book of Mormon" and "Hamilton" blow everybody away and clean up all the money.
As for music... If you've read an interesting interview with one of today's stars you probably think the Top Ten is fantastic. But you can't even say that, you're castigated for being a naysayer if you decry what's popular and laugh at what's unpopular, like jazz and classical, whose proponents believe they got screwed instead of seeing times changed and to win today...you've got to be Dudamel, a man of the people who's a great performer with his own mind.
We're looking for individuals. Who are probably gonna make it long after they started. Overnight success is about old men propping you up, you're just a figurehead.
But everybody says not to take a risk, to make it bite-sized, to make it palatable.
But that's not what they do in podcasts.
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I'm curious. Everybody's got a story and I want to hear it. I'll posit your story is your life's work, how can you convey your experiences such that a listener will get the gist of who you are, where you're coming from, what you're about.
Back before David Letterman turned late night into a comedy program, Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett interviewed people. They didn't have to come prepared with a funny story, they just had to answer the questions, they just had to be real, they just had to be themselves.
And this is the underbelly of the podcast revolution. Human beings are long-winded, they've got a lot to say, and the truth is we want to hear it. How did you get here? Are you happy? What's the truth behind that rumor? These questions are all answered in podcasts, and right now the man doing the best job as inquisitor is Alec Baldwin.
Who knew? Short-fused actor turns out to be an intellectual, who can banter with the best of them. That's right, asking questions is not enough, you've got to parse the answers, know when to go deeper. And when you've got a guest who's willing, the results are stunning.
I'm not a huge fan of magic, or juggling. But I love Penn & Teller. Because they know the whole thing is a ruse, that there is no magic, that there is no channeling. They're a constant warning to raise your level of perception, to realize this world is full of hokum and once you become a victim, you're hopeless. And Penn goes into this, when he found out Kreskin was faking it, he became completely disillusioned. But, if it's presented on stage, if people go home knowing you didn't saw that woman in half and you didn't read anybody's mind, he's comfortable with that.
What is Penn's career based on?
Juggling. Takes six years to be good. That's why the teen phenoms come and go. There's no there there, they've never done the work.
And after practicing, the work Penn Jillette did was street-performing.
But not like everybody else. He wore a three thousand dollar watch, a multi-thousand dollar suit. Because his goal was to get you to put a twenty in the hat, not a quarter. Penn defined his goals and knew how to get there. And knew if you were just like everybody else, you had no chance.
What else did Penn possess?
An incredible line of b.s. That's how you succeed in the world. Through conversation. You have to know how to open the door and then put your foot in it and keep it open, a skill most don't have, never mind work on. "Pay attention to my stuff!" is not banter, and it doesn't work. Penn got the drama critic of the "Philadelphia Inquirer" to come to his magic show by not only going to see him, but demonstrating his wares live, to the point the critic was intrigued. Professionals are all jaded, they're suckers for something new and good, and only that.
And, Penn was willing to stand up for himself. That's the difference between baby boomers and millennials. Question authority, speak truth to power, the boomers were taught by their heroes, to let their freak flags fly and be themselves. Whereas millennials are all about fitting in. I don't know about you, but I couldn't work in a cubicle farm, busy praising everybody else's work and eating lunch together and being nice. Winners are unique loners, like Penn. He can only be himself. And this is what draws people to him. He told the "Inquirer" critic his review was crap, that he misunderstood the show. The "Inquirer" critic then asked Penn for an interview and the right to re-review the show.
Not that every authority figure is amenable. But life is long and hard, and if you're busy sucking up you might make it to the top of the corporation, but you'll never make it to the top of the art heap.
At least not before. In today's me-too world, that's what people expect. And then "Book of Mormon" and "Hamilton" blow everybody away and clean up all the money.
As for music... If you've read an interesting interview with one of today's stars you probably think the Top Ten is fantastic. But you can't even say that, you're castigated for being a naysayer if you decry what's popular and laugh at what's unpopular, like jazz and classical, whose proponents believe they got screwed instead of seeing times changed and to win today...you've got to be Dudamel, a man of the people who's a great performer with his own mind.
We're looking for individuals. Who are probably gonna make it long after they started. Overnight success is about old men propping you up, you're just a figurehead.
But everybody says not to take a risk, to make it bite-sized, to make it palatable.
But that's not what they do in podcasts.
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Sunday 23 August 2015
The Amazon Kerfuffle
I'm shocked. Positively shocked, I tell you. You mean educated people are working around the clock to make tons of money and be granted stock options all at the same time? While you revel in guaranteed delivery of quality products at a discount seemingly instantly?
Kinda reminds me of the Wal-Mart problem. You know, moving into town and hollowing out Main Street. The only problem was...people liked the discounts.
And so do you.
Oh, don't tell me it's a first world problem or the other rejoinder you employ to make yourself feel holier-than-thou, saying you can wait an extra day for an Amazon delivery. The truth is you like the price and convenience. Remember the pre-Amazon days, when you had no idea of the value of a product and got ripped off at your local appliance store? And are you willing to pay triple for a flat screen? If not, manufacturing ain't coming back to America, no way.
So this is the way it works. America is split into the haves and have-nots. And the way the have-nots survive with any degree of happiness is by drinking and screwing and partying. Take away their vices and they've got nothing. Certainly not upward mobility, to get that you'd have to move to socialist Europe or Canada. Here in the free United States we have the right to start at the bottom and stay there...SO THERE!
But if per chance you're upper middle class, or even upper class, you've got to stay that way. So you pursue the bucks. And the only places bucks are guaranteed are in finance and tech. As for the gigs... I just read John LeFevre's book on finance entitled "Straight To Hell." Promoted for the debauchery, what impressed me was the drudgery. If you want to do this work when you grow up no wonder you want to be paid well, for to sacrifice years on this planet to wasting your time is...a waste.
No wonder people want to pursue the arts. But they believe they're entitled to a living in the arts. Not everybody wants to be a garbage man, but seemingly everybody wants to be a rapper. To get paid by Spotify, garner endorsements and tour to beaucoup bucks. Never forgetting the audience is cash-strapped and if they're gonna lay down their money they want value, and you rarely deliver it.
Used to be you could do an honest day's work for a living, but that was back when we had unions and other ways of protecting the middle class. And, of course, don't get your knickers in a twist, unions occasionally took it too far, BUT DOESN'T EVERYBODY?
You berate Jeff Bezos while you lionize him. He's a billionaire seer? From taking a risk and sleeping with one eye open. Because if another site, like Jet.com, never mind all the litter on the side of the information superhighway, drops prices a whit, you're shifting loyalty. He's driving his workers so you'll be happy, not them. Because in tech it's eat or be eaten. Can you say Kaypro and Osborne and BlackBerry and Nokia?
So what did we expect? Bezos to continue to employ the losers and let everybody go home at five? As for his competitors in the tech sphere... You know why they provide lunch and dry cleaning... SO YOU'LL STAY THERE AND WORK!
And we could certainly change as a society. But we refuse to.
We don't want guaranteed vacations, like in Germany, where you can't even take your company smartphone on holiday, we don't want a social safety net, we want everybody to suffer just as much as we are because we're working around the clock trying to get ahead and if we made it, WE EARNED IT!
Everybody's so self-satisfied in America, like they grew up in a vacuum, as if Donald Trump wasn't the beneficiary of bankruptcy laws, never mind the fat cat bitching about entitlements for the poor people...who buy their products and keep their companies alive, never mind guarantee their huge salaries.
We could admit we're all in it together and have a giant kumbaya moment, but then you wouldn't be able to live in a gated community and fly private. That's right, the great unwashed would be able to come right up to your door and scare you, never mind do something worse.
So we need a bogeyman. The immigrants! The blacks! The uneducated! We want to point the finger at everybody but ourselves. We want our workers to be trained, but we want to charge them so much for college the only reason it makes sense to go is you can't get a job without a degree. Oh, college could be free, but then taxes would be higher, but you know the government...IT WASTES MONEY!
But what about Amazon, what about the Fire Phone? If Amazon was the government Republicans would be agitating for it to be shut down for this failure, because after all we gave the company all that money through our purchases and they WASTED IT !
And the Democrats believe in government, but they're wimps when it comes to corporations. They beg companies for money and are then beholden to them. So, we can't get hedge fund fat cats to pay taxes at ordinary rates. Good luck changing that, when Henry Kravis and his buddies donate so prodigiously.
Our whole damn nation is hypocritical. Our only savior is...
ART!
But artists are not satisfied spreading the message, speaking the truth, they too want to get rich. Scratch a musician and he'll start poor-mouthing. As for writers, they want to sue Amazon, for being so successful. They want to jet back to the past, where distribution was limited and publishers ripped them off with a smile.
I'm glad the "New York Times" exposed working conditions at Amazon. But I wish it engendered a conversation about America, not the company in Seattle. If only people asked how we go here. Where our best and brightest are working like rats in a cage so they can have the trappings of wealth. With a public that views the almighty dollar as king.
Economics baby, it rules our country.
You're either a winner or a loser.
And we define those who win as those with the money.
Which those people up in Seattle have.
We pay lip service to teachers but laugh at their five figure salaries. We say if they had any balls they'd be entrepreneurs. But they're educating our children. Well, not MY children, I send them to PRIVATE SCHOOL!
I personally don't have any children. If so, I'd be worried. California can get everybody to reduce water consumption instantaneously but our whole nation can't reduce carbon pollution because we're too busy giving Exxon Mobil subsidies and coal companies pay our politicians.
And I'm not saying things can't be fixed.
But they only will be when we have a good, honest look at what we've become. A society with a self-reinforcing rich class and everybody else just trying to survive. One in which no one can sacrifice, not their job, nothing. At least those culled from Amazon's workforce weren't bitching about getting canned. Same thing happens in the music industry and players with lame tunes blame everybody but themselves.
We've got to start blaming ourselves.
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Kinda reminds me of the Wal-Mart problem. You know, moving into town and hollowing out Main Street. The only problem was...people liked the discounts.
And so do you.
Oh, don't tell me it's a first world problem or the other rejoinder you employ to make yourself feel holier-than-thou, saying you can wait an extra day for an Amazon delivery. The truth is you like the price and convenience. Remember the pre-Amazon days, when you had no idea of the value of a product and got ripped off at your local appliance store? And are you willing to pay triple for a flat screen? If not, manufacturing ain't coming back to America, no way.
So this is the way it works. America is split into the haves and have-nots. And the way the have-nots survive with any degree of happiness is by drinking and screwing and partying. Take away their vices and they've got nothing. Certainly not upward mobility, to get that you'd have to move to socialist Europe or Canada. Here in the free United States we have the right to start at the bottom and stay there...SO THERE!
But if per chance you're upper middle class, or even upper class, you've got to stay that way. So you pursue the bucks. And the only places bucks are guaranteed are in finance and tech. As for the gigs... I just read John LeFevre's book on finance entitled "Straight To Hell." Promoted for the debauchery, what impressed me was the drudgery. If you want to do this work when you grow up no wonder you want to be paid well, for to sacrifice years on this planet to wasting your time is...a waste.
No wonder people want to pursue the arts. But they believe they're entitled to a living in the arts. Not everybody wants to be a garbage man, but seemingly everybody wants to be a rapper. To get paid by Spotify, garner endorsements and tour to beaucoup bucks. Never forgetting the audience is cash-strapped and if they're gonna lay down their money they want value, and you rarely deliver it.
Used to be you could do an honest day's work for a living, but that was back when we had unions and other ways of protecting the middle class. And, of course, don't get your knickers in a twist, unions occasionally took it too far, BUT DOESN'T EVERYBODY?
You berate Jeff Bezos while you lionize him. He's a billionaire seer? From taking a risk and sleeping with one eye open. Because if another site, like Jet.com, never mind all the litter on the side of the information superhighway, drops prices a whit, you're shifting loyalty. He's driving his workers so you'll be happy, not them. Because in tech it's eat or be eaten. Can you say Kaypro and Osborne and BlackBerry and Nokia?
So what did we expect? Bezos to continue to employ the losers and let everybody go home at five? As for his competitors in the tech sphere... You know why they provide lunch and dry cleaning... SO YOU'LL STAY THERE AND WORK!
And we could certainly change as a society. But we refuse to.
We don't want guaranteed vacations, like in Germany, where you can't even take your company smartphone on holiday, we don't want a social safety net, we want everybody to suffer just as much as we are because we're working around the clock trying to get ahead and if we made it, WE EARNED IT!
Everybody's so self-satisfied in America, like they grew up in a vacuum, as if Donald Trump wasn't the beneficiary of bankruptcy laws, never mind the fat cat bitching about entitlements for the poor people...who buy their products and keep their companies alive, never mind guarantee their huge salaries.
We could admit we're all in it together and have a giant kumbaya moment, but then you wouldn't be able to live in a gated community and fly private. That's right, the great unwashed would be able to come right up to your door and scare you, never mind do something worse.
So we need a bogeyman. The immigrants! The blacks! The uneducated! We want to point the finger at everybody but ourselves. We want our workers to be trained, but we want to charge them so much for college the only reason it makes sense to go is you can't get a job without a degree. Oh, college could be free, but then taxes would be higher, but you know the government...IT WASTES MONEY!
But what about Amazon, what about the Fire Phone? If Amazon was the government Republicans would be agitating for it to be shut down for this failure, because after all we gave the company all that money through our purchases and they WASTED IT !
And the Democrats believe in government, but they're wimps when it comes to corporations. They beg companies for money and are then beholden to them. So, we can't get hedge fund fat cats to pay taxes at ordinary rates. Good luck changing that, when Henry Kravis and his buddies donate so prodigiously.
Our whole damn nation is hypocritical. Our only savior is...
ART!
But artists are not satisfied spreading the message, speaking the truth, they too want to get rich. Scratch a musician and he'll start poor-mouthing. As for writers, they want to sue Amazon, for being so successful. They want to jet back to the past, where distribution was limited and publishers ripped them off with a smile.
I'm glad the "New York Times" exposed working conditions at Amazon. But I wish it engendered a conversation about America, not the company in Seattle. If only people asked how we go here. Where our best and brightest are working like rats in a cage so they can have the trappings of wealth. With a public that views the almighty dollar as king.
Economics baby, it rules our country.
You're either a winner or a loser.
And we define those who win as those with the money.
Which those people up in Seattle have.
We pay lip service to teachers but laugh at their five figure salaries. We say if they had any balls they'd be entrepreneurs. But they're educating our children. Well, not MY children, I send them to PRIVATE SCHOOL!
I personally don't have any children. If so, I'd be worried. California can get everybody to reduce water consumption instantaneously but our whole nation can't reduce carbon pollution because we're too busy giving Exxon Mobil subsidies and coal companies pay our politicians.
And I'm not saying things can't be fixed.
But they only will be when we have a good, honest look at what we've become. A society with a self-reinforcing rich class and everybody else just trying to survive. One in which no one can sacrifice, not their job, nothing. At least those culled from Amazon's workforce weren't bitching about getting canned. Same thing happens in the music industry and players with lame tunes blame everybody but themselves.
We've got to start blaming ourselves.
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