The Bob Lefsetz Podcast

Founder and CEO of Primary Wave Music, Larry Mestel started out as a CPA and shortly thereafter was drafted by a client to Island Records, and after stints at Arista and Virgin he quit to start Primary Wave, a new wave publishing company with its own marketing department. Listen to hear how Larry and Primary Wave are breaking norms. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer/producer/performer Desmond Child gives a master class in songwriting, as well as reciting his history from Miami Beach to Hollywood. Hear how the man wrote "You Give Love A Bad Name" with Bon Jovi and "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" with Aerosmith and so much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Musician, songwriter, entrepreneur Pete Wentz is much more than the bassist for Fall Out Boy. Listen to hear about this summer's stadium tour with Green Day and Weezer as well as Pete's upbringing, his love of tennis and the view from the stage. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A progenitor of the electronic music scene, Pete Tong had his residency at Pacha, is still on the BBC and is now touring arenas with the Heritage Orchestra playing Ibiza Classics. Meanwhile, he's still DJ'ing all over the world. Yup, Pete's just that busy! Listen to learn how Pete and the scene evolved. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer/songwriter/gunslinger Dave Mason was a member of Traffic, wrote "Feelin' Alright" as well as "Only You Know And I Know" (popularized by Delaney & Bonnie when they were on tour with Dave and Eric Clapton), and was the creator of the perfect debut album "Alone Together" and recorded the smash hit "We Just Disagree." Now that's a CV! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Kitman is not only a music manager, he's the New York Bureau Chief at "Automobile" magazine. In addition to his column in "Automobile," Kitman's National Magazine Award-winning commentary has appeared in "The New York Times," "The Nation," "GQ," "Foreign Affairs" and more. Listen as Kitman gives the scoop on SUVs (they make more profits for the manufacturers and handle much worse than sedans) and his history managing They Might Be Giants.Check out some of Jamie's columns here: https://bit.ly/39BiZKq Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly George-Warren is the author of a new book on Janis Joplin entitled "Janis: Her Life and Music." Tune in for insights into Janis, along with tales from Ms. George-Warren's career working at "Rolling Stone" and authoring sixteen books on topics as varied as Woodstock, Alex Chilton and country & western music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He created AOR, the album-oriented rock radio format. He designed the original XM channels. Legendary radio programmer Lee Abrams is just not another consultant, listen to glean his insights.Howard Stern talks to Hillary Clinton about Lee Abrams (start at 15:20): https://bit.ly/2Q9D8OTYou can also read some of Lee's musings here: https://bit.ly/2RZxBN2 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's right, Mr. Foreigner, who also co-produced Van Halen's "5150," Billy Joel's "Storm Front," and more. Hear how Mick struck gold with French superstar Johnny Hallyday and then conspired to create the chart-topping rock band whose songs are indelibly imprinted upon our brains. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Corson is the co-chairman and chief operating officer of Warner Records. Listen… Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Alpert manages the Chainsmokers and runs Disruptor Records, a joint venture with Sony Music. Listen to how a whip-smart millennial has navigated the music business...from nightclubs to number one! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett is only six days older than I am. I was scared he'd be off-putting, as a result of his height and bald head, but there are few people I've interviewed I've related to more. We cover the history of the Oils as well as Peter's tenure in the Australian government and what it was like playing in a band after his parents passed and... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian late night TV host, producer, husband of Suzanne Somers and her career guru, Hamel has been there and done that and has great stories, he holds back nothing! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An agent, a publisher, a label majordomo and now a manager, not only has Richard Griffiths worn all the hats, he's a seer when it comes to careers. Richard and his partner Harry Magee and their firm Modest! Management were honored with the 2019 Music Industry Trusts Award on November 4th in London. Modest! has steered the careers of One Direction, the Spice Girls, 5 Seconds of Summer, Olly Murs, Niall Horan, Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The manager of The Who, Judas Priest and...need I say more? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tour-de-force, writer/performer/stand-up Whitney Cummings is whip-smart and quick with a quip. Listen as we plumb the depths of Hollywood, social media, her career, her personality, her personal life... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attorney extraordinaire Peter Paterno represents a who's who of clients. Listen to hear his story from Orange County to Harvey Mudd to signing Queen at Hollywood Records to Metallica to Dr. Dre to "Blurred Lines" to... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manager Ron Stone has been involved with everybody from Crosby, Stills & Nash to Joni Mitchell to Bonnie Raitt to Rickie Lee Jones. Listen to hear tales of what it was like in L.A. in the sixties and more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Carson was there in the heyday of Atlantic Records in the U.K. He signed AC/DC and was the only guy at the label Led Zeppelin would talk to. He's managed everyone from Plant and Page to ELP and still handles Foreigner. This guy's got stories! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The King of the Great American Songbook, Michael Feinstein is a player, a singer and an archivist, he's born to and dedicated to the music. A legend with numerous albums and TV shows, you should listen to this even if only modern music floats your boat, hear how an outcast followed the music to success, how a true original was accepted by Ira Gershwin and the public at large. From the piano bar to the Hollywood Bowl, it's a mighty long way down not only rock and roll, but all music, to the TOP! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Majordomo of the Zappa Trust, son of Frank and Gail (as they told him to call them from birth), TV show host, writer, entrepreneur, Ahmet Zappa grew up by the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, he has stories to tell. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Limeliters to the Smothers Brothers, Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Travis Tritt, Trisha Yearwood and even Gallagher, Ken Kragen is a legendary manager and one of the main drivers behind "We Are The World." Listen to hear his history, as well as the tale of that legendary charity project. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the original Rhino Brothers (along with Richard Foos), Harold went from playing to writing to CBS college rep and ultimately Rhino Records, then just a record shop. Harold was the one who expanded the brand into recordings, with Wild Man Fischer, the Temple Kazoo Orchestra, the Winos and more, ultimately leading to the distribution of the Turtles' catalog. Listen to the story of how Harold and Rhino succeeded by doing it their way. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long time music critic for the "San Francisco Chronicle," Sammy Hagar once gave Joel's phone number out at a show, and then Selvin co-wrote the Red Rocker's #1 best-selling book, "Red: My Uncensored Live In Rock." An expert in the San Francisco scene, Selvin authored a book about Altamont, as well as writing books about Bert Berns and the latter day Dead. Tune in to hear this raconteur's stories. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Tribute To Jerry Weintraub, recorded live at the Grammy Museum Thursday, August 14th, featuring John Meglen of Concerts West, Bob Finkelstein of Sinatra Enterprises, Claire Rothman, emeritus GM/VP of the Forum, Peter Jackson, tour manager of the Moody Blues and Eric Clapton, Michael Weintraub and me, as the moderator. Listen for tales of the impresario who created national touring and promoted such artists at Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bad Company, the Beach Boys and Led Zeppelin, as well as managing John Denver, Bob Dylan and many more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A women who needs no introduction... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's right, Kootch! Guitarist and songwriter for James Taylor ("Machine Gun Kelly," "Honey Don't Leave L.A.") and band member for Carole King and Jackson Browne and...co-producer for Don Henley, Danny came up with the sound of "Dirty Laundry," and...yup, Danny has too many credits to list! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhymes with "Orange Julius," at least according to the Beastie Boys! George produced the Black Crowes's "Shake Your Money Maker" (and "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion"!) and he's the music supervisor of choice for Ben Stiller, and he's worked on films as varied as "The Hangover" and "Frances Ha." George is a great conversationalist, listen! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, the active saxophonist, the smooth jazz king. Dave is personable and eloquent and if you want to know how to make it, what it's like to have a hit and soldier on, this is for you. I don't care whether you like Koz's music or not, you'll love him when you listen to this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frontman of the Thompson Twins. An eighties icon still plying the boards today. You remember "Hold Me Now," right? But there was so much more, the instantly infectious "In The Name Of Love," as well as "Lies," "Love On Your Side," "Doctor! Doctor!," "You Take Me Up," "Love On Your Side"... Listen to find out how a man destined for medicine ended up making it in music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Academy Award winner for "20 Feet From Stardom," as well as director of last summer's surprise hit "Won't You Be My Neighbor?," Morgan Neville is the go-to documentarian. His Rick Rubin docuseries premieres on Showtime on July 12th. Morgan's a huge music fan, listen to how he got from there to here, I could have talked to him all day! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell speak of their fifty years as "America" and their multiple hit records, from "A Horse With No Name" to "Sister Golden Hair" to... These are nice guys, find out how they made it in the music business. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's right, aka Herman, of Herman's Hermits. Peter tells the story of growing up in Manchester, working with Mickie Most, acting in "Pirates of Penzance" and rededicating himself to his musical career, touring the globe singing his hits. Peter has a whipsmart sense of humor and you definitely won't be bored! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agent for both Social Distortion and Brian Wilson, learn how to make it in this crazy business called music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quite possibly the best songwriter of her generation, Karla is famous for the songs she wrote for Linda Ronstadt, but her versions are even better. Tune in to hear the story of the SoCal music scene in the seventies. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not only will you hear the story of Jan & Dean, but you'll get previously untold insights into Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Dean talks about pairing up with Jan, making records with Lou Adler, going to college with folkies when he was on the pop chart...you'll be riveted! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's right, the singer/writer of the 4 Non Blondes hit "What's Up," as well as the composer of hit songs for Pink, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani, Linda Perry is a songwriter nonpareil, and a producer too! Her fingerprints are all over tracks from Adele to Weezer, and furthermore, she's a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. But first and foremost, Linda's an opinionated original, someone working to bring the glory days of rock back. Listen. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director of the new film "Echo In The Canyon," Andy produced albums by Fiona Apple, Macy Gray and the Wallflowers as well as being President of Capitol Records and a manager. Andy tells us how he got here as well as the backstory of the movie. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winky Fairorth runs Tait Towers, a company you might not have ever heard of. But Tait provides the staging for seemingly every headline tour, from U2 to Lady Gaga to Metallica to Elton John. Winky is a pesonable character, listen to how he got his start and the status of staging today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Meglen has been in the touring business for four decades. A hustler with a sense of humor, he was responsible for putting Celine Dion in Vegas. If you want to know the inner workings of the touring business, this is the place. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come for the Aerosmith stories, stay for the John Lennon ones. Legendary music producer Jack Douglas tells of his reform school past, freighter trip to Liverpool and penetrating the studio scene. Fascinating. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mastering... An integral part of making records that most people are uninformed about. Listen as preeminent mastering engineer Stephen Marcussen strips away the mystery, tells you about sound and tech and how a tip at the supermarket led to his career. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Murray Goldberg, Larry David's manager Jeff...you know Garlin from his numerous TV and film roles as well as his standup. He's the same guy in real life (only younger, thinner and better-looking!) Find out what it takes to make it in comedy, especially when you discover your destiny while watching Jimmy Durante. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen as Billy Bragg tells the story of growing up poor and rejecting his preordained future at Ford's to become a part of the political fabric of the U.K., all via music. Billy tells a great story, you'll become a fan even if you're unfamiliar with his music (and learn a lot about Brexit too!) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we shift our attention to Bob’s analysis of today’s music industry. Bob was invited to speak at Capitol Records’ Capitol Congress event at the ArcLight theater in Hollywood on the topic of “change”. He reminds a packed audience of music business professionals to look to the future because the past is never coming back. In today’s on-demand culture distribution is king and now is the time to focus on content. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Doobie Brothers frontman, Tom Johnston, joins Bob to talk about his early beginnings and being drawn to R&B artists like Little Richard. He played saxophone, clarinet and drums in his youth but ultimately fell in love with the guitar and taught himself how to play. Always inspired by soul and blues music, he played and sang in a variety of bands before and throughout college, where he studied graphic design. Those years ultimately led to the band that would become The Doobie Brothers and iconic songs like “Listen To The Music”, “China Grove” and “Long Train Runnin’”. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music industry veteran, Danny Goldberg is the publicist, manager and record label exec who helped shape the careers of Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Bonnie Raitt, The Allman Brothers and many more. He sits down with Bob to talk music, politics, drugs and business. They discuss today’s political landscape before diving deep into Goldberg’s early years writing for Billboard and being recruited to run publicity for Led Zeppelin. He became a manager and led various record labels, signing icons like Stevie Nicks and Steve Earle. We cover pivotal moments in his career, like the day Kurt Cobain died and end with a discussion about the music industry today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive joins Bob to talk about his amazing career. He takes us all the way back to his childhood in Winnipeg where he played violin at family parties before discovering the guitar. A dynamic storyteller, Bachman shares captivating stories from his adventures on the road and in the studio including how he wrote “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and the surprising piano player featured on “Takin’ Care of Business”. We end with a conversation about his spiritual connection to George Harrison and his brand new album, By George - By Bachman. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legendary record label executive, Seymour Stein, is the ears behind countless amazing careers including The Talking Heads, Madonna and The Ramones. Stein shares stories from his early years helping to compile the Billboard charts in NYC and spending a summer in Cincinnati to learn the record business from Syd Nathan when he was only 15 years old. For Stein, the songs are what attracts him to a band, musicianship comes second. He is not only an great businessman but a true music fan and fountain of knowledge. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World-famous DJ, Kaskade talks about growing up outside of Chicago, attending the University of Utah and playing his first shows on Monday nights in a basement club in Salt Lake City. He packed the club, giving him the money to purchase his first studio equipment. He then followed his wife to San Francisco to find a city with a flourishing music scene where he began to make his mark and ultimately led the way to the top of the electronic dance movement Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.