Re-Quarantunes

Bob,
In the words of Grouch Marx "Fuck that out of touch arrogant tool."
Also, no public service announcements. Why should I be telling people what to do from my successful comedian's home? I'm shocked how many of my peers are out of touch. Ego and insecurity rule the day and it makes me sad.
In the words of Tom Petty "Stop Jamming Me."
In the words of Nancy Sinatra "Has anyone seen my boots? I want to go out. Maybe a walk. I have a mask. Where did I put those fucking boots?"
I seemed to have gotten off track.
Thanks Bob.
Sincerely,
Jeff Garlin

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A bunch of fuckers that act like they care. No wonder the right hates them and those of us that get associated with them. You hit the nail on the head, why not put it out there for all to see. We pay their fucking bills by going to see or hear their too often mediocre products. Meanwhile the hospital staffs and other first responders risk their lives doing real work everyday, for a fraction of what most of these overpaid jackasses make. BTW I won't even get into what is going on with the MLB and their money arguments.

Denman Schmid

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They need these because they're missing they're Oscar, Grammy and Emmy self-congratulatory celebrations.

Alex Novielli

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Bob

A bunch of bourgeois fuckers

jeff laufer

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Great piece Bob. I've been reading these "exclusive party" pieces for a about 2 weeks.

When You said in your piece " That's another problem, members of the club refuse to criticize, refuse to cry foul because they're afraid they won't be invited next time."
It reminded me of something Timothy White once told me about the upper echelons of the Music Industry (Artists & Executives) - "The music industry WILL NEVER criticize ANYTHING that makes money - ESPECIALLY A LOT OF MONEY!"

Ritch Esra

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The best description I heard is that in the US, we have socialism for the rich and the most brutal form of capitalism for the poor and everyone else.

Perry Resnick

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You nailed it Bob!!

Last night Kaskade did a livestream from the Grand Canyon West Skywalk. He broadcasted it on Twitch, YouTube, Periscope and a new app called BeApp. All free, and literally the best show I've seen in years. I had agents and managers calling me during it who literally have seen every kind of show in their lives and are generally desensitized to getting excited about ANYTHING and they were EXCITED.

This is a moment in history where people need something to believe in. Artists should be providing this and Kaskade did. He showed everyone that their minds can still be blown, even in their living rooms. All for free because when it's time to give back, some do.

Jodi Call

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Dear Mr Lefsetz,
I was once extremely successful in the music industry and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
However, it was changing while I remained in it.
I no longer recognize the freedom of creativity and wonderful music that was my experience working for Elton John and Bernie Taupin and establishing The Chrysalis Music Group USA as a leading, independent and successful music publishing company.
I have the privilege of working with top creative names, Sir George Martin, Rod Temperton (who I signed), the Bowie catalog, Blondie, Carlene Carter (Johnny and June regarded me as a friend) and others.
Sincerely,
Ann P. Munday

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I don't know anything about these shindigs but I like what yer sayin'
and the way yer sayin' it!

Paul Zullo

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Let them eat YouTube.

Blake Sturgis

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Another good one.

YUCK. It's just like politics... SELFISH.

Beth Kraft

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I hear you. Now is a time to bring people together.

I've been performing DJ sets on my rooftop for the neighborhood to help lift the spirits of the people. It got coverage on KTLA5 and ABC. And earlier this week, to my surprise, it got shown on Ellen!

https://youtu.be/XRUD1cZwW8g

I did this because it's a time to be sharing. It's hard for a lot of people. My work has suffered since my job requires crowds, but that doesn't mean I can't contribute something positive for the people. I think all of us can do something, big or small, regardless of our situation. Spinning is my way of doing that.

-Shammy Dee

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Hi Bob,

Fuck them.
Excuse my french.!

Keep it coming and stay well.

Leigh Goldstein

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Hi Bob,
Has it not occurred to these people that if the Covid wars go on for an extended run, thereby stifling live music and the ability to film movies with more than one character that they may become irrelevant? I can't stand to see Melissa Etheridge in her hippie house every week wailing into the camera. Her heart is in the right place and I applaud her effort, but man, it's painful. Some of my favorite bands are streaming live, but one band member at a time. Again, it's noble, but the thrill is gone. So many of these rich and famous have become so because we pay crazy money to see them. Or Netflix or the studios pay and we subsidize that via ticket prices or subscription fees or the suffering through of endless ads.

If they lose their stage, who will care a whit about their Quarantunes parties?

Stay healthy.

Medea Bern

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Awesome!

Richard Lawrence

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Thank You for daring to write it like it is.
In hashtag-speak

#notme
#countmeout #notthattheywouldevercountmein

Ubuntu,
amyah parrish

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Not me either
Zannman

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Love it!

Marc Gentilella

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Who cares about that guy and his Zoom party? Why is that news?

Mark Burrell

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There are two separate economies in this country, and I am glad you are banging that message home. Corporations and the ultra-rich are the truly socialists, how incredible that they have masqueraded as capitalists for so long and convinced the middle class to go along for the ride. The so-called "growth economy" serves the CEOs and shareholders exclusively, and it is worthy of reexamination. A majority of Americans do not want quarantine to be lifted, partly, I suspect because they have come to realize that their lives will go on if the "economy" as it stands ceases to exist. Also, sadly, partly because they have been driven into a heightened state of fear over another remote, invisible enemy (after 9/11 it was Islamic radicalism and we gave up a lot of freedom, I hope we don't sign more of our privacy away, but I am not optimistic).

In any case, living in NYC puts these issues front of mind, and I am glad you are writing about them.

--Tim Pistell

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Basta with these bastards!

Colleen Kenny

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"Who'd want to be a member of this club of tone-deaf wankers"

BRILLIANCE !

Mark Flores

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Bob love this rant, you got balls, I'll say that much!!

Doug Gillis

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Can't think of anything I'd rather do less than attend one of those quarantune zoom parties... One of the benefits of middle age, I guess.

Dave Mason

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Right on, Brother.

Hugo Burnham

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I wouldn't want to belong to a club that would have me as a member. The one with power in any relationship is the one who can say "no."

Dave Wood

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Good for you!

Corey Bearak

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Rock On Brother!!!

Scott Palazzo

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It's like you don't get it. You keep describing America as if you guys have some hope. You don't. It's done. No mater how you try to explain how this happened the rest of the planet has to try to fix its self absent the leadership the USA used to provide.

You voted him in. Take responsibility.

Shame.

Rob Braide

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Ya got this one wrong Bob -

Weitz is one of the good guys - and he and his daughter have philanthropic hearts.

Your idea of making these shows available to the public is worthy of consideration but your unfounded and misplaced criticism is simply mean spirited and off base.

There are over 2 million reasons why this grass roots fund raising effort is deserving of respect.

Ya got this one wrong Bob!

Rob Heller

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Amen.

Stay well.

Lee Posner

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The look at me's smelling each other's glorious farts. Frankly, I don't think anyone other than them gives a damn. There's much more to worry about for most. See you on the other side, whatever that's going to be.

B Chapin

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Well spoken, Bob.

Hoping you're well,
Simon Hermansen

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Bon - I love you.
Thank you for telling the truth.
Xx

Sylvie Lewis

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Preach, Bob!

Peter Buffett

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Fabulous!

Thanks for the insight and the passion, mon ami.
John Parikhal

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Right on, Bob. Power to the peeps.
Scott S. Hazlewood

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I guess I missed the part where you raised $3 mm for charity. Jesus Bob - if you wanted to go so badly you should have just emailed me.

Jed Weitzman

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While I'm writing you to defend my best friend since 1983, more importantly I'm writing you to say that while you're obviously entitled to your opinions (many of which I've loved over the years), what's truly disappointing and just flat-out lame on your part is your thoughts and opinions below are based on articles and second-hand information. You're belittling yourself on par like those who watch Fox News and then take what's said as gospel. I really thought you were better than this Bob. Why not make the tiny effort to check out Quarantunes yourself, first-hand and then shit all over it?

Plain and simple, you've totally missed the narrative on this one as it relates to what Richard Weitz and his 17-year old daughter are doing.

What started out as a father creatively coming up with a way to celebrate his daughter's 17th birthday amongst family and friends in a fucked-up world where those of us with half a brain social distance (I know Bob, it's clearly his fault he's friends with famous people), quickly grew into something else, something that could actually be parlayed into a significant charitable effort in a dire time where millions of people are really struggling and need help. And guess what? It worked!

I'm wondering where is Richard Weitz and Quarantunes saying that anyone in your words is "inconsequential, not good enough, not smart enough, not connected enough, not rich enough to get into the club"?. Please, show us. You're pissed because everyone can't participate and Quarantunes isn't adopting a Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren like strategy? Really? That's your gripe/argument? And what do politician's campaign approaches have to do with this anyway? If what they were doing worked so goddamn well why aren't they the nominee Bob?

And Weitz should, according to you "take suggestions for performers from the regular people"? If you had done your due diligence Bob you'd know that there are hundreds of "regular people" from all walks of life participating in these weekly parties. And I should know, because many of them are friends I grew up with in Philadelphia who are still there. What you'd also know is there's been a multitude of incredible speeches from the likes of the mayors of Los Angeles and Atlanta, to get this Bob, actual real doctors and nurses, first-hand responders, the people who you're saying can't get behind the velvet ropes who are not only sharing their incredible stories, but deeply expressing their gratitude to Richard Weitz, his daughter, and all of those who have donated north of $2m. to date to help combat this horrible virus that's upended our lives.

So next time you want to piss on someone/something, get your facts and shit together first bro,


Richard Suckle

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I swear, chumps like this were born with almost no sense of self worth. What kind of person needs the illusion of others thinking they're important to feel comfortable with who they are?


Tim W
in Calgary

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You are so right, Bob! The Indigo Girls raised over $200,000 (and counting) with a livestream on Thursday raising money for Heal The Earth. They totally get it, including that some people cannot afford to donate right now. NOBODY was excluded. All were welcome. The Indigo Girls are FABULOUS.

J.A. Etchison

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THANK YOU!

Patti Jones

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God bless you Bob for being so independent and brave enough to call out on such travesties. If it's so exclusive why not keep it classified (CIA style) so we won't know its existence.
This reminds me of similar "invite only yatch parties" that were advertised every year in the general brochures of a major international annual music conference in the South of France that I attended. Even though there was clearly no way for most us attending this conference to enter these parties, they were listed on all general events schedules. My question back then was the same as it is in this case now: why do you advertise something so secret in the general brochures? Turns out you Bob, are right. The goal was then as it is now to show how cool they are.
Mac

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Bob, they've raised millions of dollars for multiple charities. I'm startled that a well-meaning project created by 17-year-old woman causes you such trauma.

Had you been on one of those calls (I got to be on the one that raised over $500k for Team Rubicon), you would've witnessed joy, tears, surprise, and a diverse cross-section of society. I, too, hope everyone gets to see this project that's still in its infancy, but I'm also troubled you choose to dim the light of something that wasn't supposed to go as far as it has, but by doing so, only benefits society.

The crux of your recent work is perfecting the not-so-humble brag that reeks of the private school elitism you try so hard to conceal but is such a core part of your voice. So to state you wouldn't have bragged is dishonest, invalid commentary that contradicts about half your output since 2010. Makes me think you're mad you didn't get an invite.


Mike McFarland

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Thank you.

Kaveh Rastegar

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Right on, Brother! Nail on the head.

Gerry Spehar

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To steal your own words, forget the home run you just hit a grand slam. Just don't expect any medals from the inner sanctum.

Multiple elbow bumps from across the atlantic
Fachtna Ó Ceallaigh

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Here's someone doing it the other way around : Questlove
The drummer for the legendary Roots, Jimmy Fallons house band and producer par excellence has been DJ-ing from his house since weeks.
It's all free, streaming live on Instagram, Youtube, Twitch and a few other outlets almost every night for hours, each night a different musical focus.
What makes it so interesting are the little stories in between that he tells, being the musical encyclopedia that he is. Plus his vault of unreleased songs,
b-sides and so on is unmatched. And it has it's share of celebrities for sure as well. Stevie Wonder called in unannounced live to a baffled Questlove the other night,
Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, etc etc all show up in the respective chatrooms of the streams from time to time.
But just as well as with the celebs, Questlove interacts with the "normal" people, in fact a lot more than with the stars.
He's also not playing just Hiphop, in fact most nights it's everything but.

It's really really worth tuning in. Just search for The Roots on Youtube or Twitch (I personally recomment Twitch as it has the best sound and it's where the music nerds are), or tune in on Questlove's IG. Here are two links, hit the notification bells to get a notice whenever he goes live:

https://www.twitch.tv/theroots
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZwpdul2Oa5Fl6hxllcSzA
Best,
Frank Baach

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Tone deaf wankers.

High five from the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, Bob.

David Brewer

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Mr. Lefsetz,
What the world needs now is more kindness and your article definitely does not show any whatsoever. Instead of trashing someone who raised millions of dollars to support different organizations why don't you reach out with positive and encouraging ideas to make It better if you feel like Quarantunes is an exclusive club. Did you try that?

How about his daughter (17!!) who helped create the idea? Did you think of her when you wrote the article?

I find your article to be mean spirited and very angry. It reminds me of other people who use their bully pulpit to attack from behind the safety of an offense only playbook. Such a shame because you typically have some great insight.

And what exactly IS the point of your article? Feels more like a personal attack? Calling someone "neither smart or insightful " without knowing them personally enough to have said insight. Quite frankly its exactly as you sound in this article. Neither insightful or smart or most importantly done with any research to back your claims. It's a personal opinion of someone who feels left out.

Inclusion is absolutely a worthy constructive suggestion, It seems that may have been the best way to achieve your goal if you had one here. Make a call. Introduce yourself. We read your articles. We know who you are. Do you know who we are? You seem to suggest you do by calling all of us who participate and listen to RWQuarentunes "minions...of tone deaf wankers". Maybe it's just a community who appreciated one young woman's efforts to make a difference and her dad who had the wear with all to achieve something. It started as something small and fun and just organically grew. And what a beautiful experience for father and daughter to share.
You can choose to not participate. Listen and join the community. Try to help by making it a more communal and inclusive. But criticizing ANYONE who is trying to help, NOT hurt anyone, is just plain mean spirited. It's like those people with their weapons and fatigues marching on the capitals accusing the government of curtailing their freedoms. What do they plan to do with those weapons? Hurt is all that can be achieved with those weapons which appears to be your goal here. Your "pen" is your gun. Use It wisely or It will be the very weapon that brings you down. The world needs critics, commentators, insights and lessons from the objective.
But don't you think there is enough meanness in today's world without adding to It.
We wish you a good Sunday nonetheless and would welcome a dialogue any time.
Sincerely
Paul and Renee Haas

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That's it - I've had it with you Lesfstz's - you Grumpy Old Dude !

I've been a Loyal reader (follower and fan!) from the time you offered your first email list, sorry I wasnt t in on your Snail mail letter - I give you credit! Remember when you started (had a heart!) from that good place!?

What Richard & Demi have created is straight from the purist place - the Heart !
The best place to start from, with only Love for those who put their asses on the line for all of us daily and give so much for so little- attention or credit. They do it bc they care !

It might help if you had a bit of 'knowledge / context'- a good solid place to start your story from - what RW has done these past 6 weeks (while we've all been quarantined!) before you pulled out your old Toshiba electronic typewriter to bag on others who DO - not talk !!

That said, I've been meaning to write this for awhile now - Take me off your damn Email list, Dude ! ASAP.

You owe Richard a Big apology !

Frank Samuel

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Re: Frank Samuel

Love you!!!

Richard Weitz


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