The Bob Lefsetz Podcast

Tom Rush is the original singer/songwriter. Honing his chops in Cambridge while attending Harvard, Tom ultimately got record deals at Elektra and Columbia and is famous for not only his own songs, but for introducing those of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne to the masses. Listen as we hear not only about the history, but Tom's battle with Covid-19 and the aftermath, as well as what...

Michael Fremer is the king of vinyl, he believed in its comeback when everybody else was selling their LPs. We discuss the availability of presses, demand, sound... Also, Michael is Senior Contributing Editor of "Stereophile" and thus we discuss audio equipment, what you should buy, how much you have to spend for good sound, turntable set-up... Fremer is a giant in his field, you want to listen to...

Warren Haynes is the number one utility player in rock music today. Whether with the Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, the Dead or other acts, for decades Warren has been playing guitar, without airs, depending only on chops, on stages and in studios throughout the nation. Furthermore, his vocals are as sweet as his guitar licks. Here we cover Warren's start in North Carolina as well as the breakup of...

Most famously the manager of Dire Straits, Ed Bicknell started out as a drummer before becoming an agent and a manager and a drummer once again (you can hear him with the Notting Hillbillies!) Ed takes us all the way from the fifties in the U.K. to the agency world of today, with stops at the Shadows, the Beatles, Gerry Rafferty and so much more. Ed tells a good tale, you'll love hearing the histo...

Led Zeppelin, U2, Queen, Pink Floyd, the Who, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli... What do they all have in common? They've had shows promoted by Harvey Goldsmith. A Commander of the Order of the British Empire, even though he has no airs, Harvey Goldsmith has not only been a promoter, he's been the manager of Billy Connolly, Jeff Beck, the aforeme...

David Fishof started out booking bands in the Catskills, then he dropped out of college to become a sports agent, representing household names like Lou Piniella and Phil Simms, and then he switched to music, putting the Monkees back together, signing Ringo Starr to do his All Starr Band shows, creating the Happy Together tour, promoting "Dirty Dancing" on stage and more! Now Fishof has segued into...

Steven Wilson has a new solo album, "The Future Bites." We discuss this as well as his work with Porcupine Tree but even if you're not a fan of his music, even if you've never heard of him, you need to listen to hear Wilson's stories of remixing King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Chicago and more. I was positively stunned how erudite and articulate Wilson was. If you're a music fan, I positively guarantee...

Bode Miller is America's most decorated male alpine skier, winner of two World Cups and six Olympic medals. Bode is a self-taught wunderkind. We dive into his philosophy on education and go deep into his roots and his career, stopping along the way to investigate his innovations and his choices. Bode may have retired from competitive skiing, but he's involved in more than a dozen ventures, which k...

Steve Lillywhite checks in all the way from Jakarta, where he runs the largest music label for KFC, I kid you not! We delve into Steve's production of U2, Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews, Thompson Twins and more. But in addition to the stories you'll be captivated by the insight! Steve is quite the raconteur and if you want to know how a famous music producer makes records, this i...

Brian Wheat is the bassist for Tesla and he has a new autobiography, "Son of a Milkman." We chart the arc of Tesla's career, from fame to breakup to today, when they're making more money than ever, but we also delve into Brian's anxiety and depression, which he hopes will aid others to recognize their issues and get help, knowing they are not alone. In addition, we cover Brian's friendship with Ji...

A descendant of royalty, Michael Des Barres has had more record deals than seemingly anybody, from Silverhead to Detective to Chequered Past to solo, as well as acting in "MacGyver" and scores more movies and television shows. Recently a documentary of his life was released, "Michael Des Barres: Who Do You Want Me To Be?" We cover the film and so much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at http...

We discuss Mr. DiMucci's early years in the Bronx, getting a record deal, assembling the Belmonts, going on the road, getting on and off drugs, AA, his life in Miami, royalties, his new work and... Dion has been there and back, he's full of insight, AND HE'S STILL MARRIED TO RUNAROUND SUE! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

We cover a lot of ground here. We start with an investigation into Todd's imminent virtual tour, and then move on to such topics as his engineering of "Stage Fright," the recording of "We're an American Band," the rescuing and resuscitation of Badfinger's "Straight Up," the end of Todd's relationship with Albert Grossman, his sale of his "Bat Out of Hell" royalty points to finance his Hawaii estat...

Christie Tate is the author of the best seller "Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life." On paper it appears that Christie has it all, she's #1 in her law school class, but her life is a mess. Group therapy unlocks Christie's life, and the result is a fulfilling job, marriage and more, but there are many bumps along the way. Listen to hear details of her journey! Learn mo...

Jacob Collier's "Djesse Vol. 3" was the surprise of the Grammy nominations, landing a spot for Album of the Year. Jacob is fully aware that other artists were excluded, and he is a fan of both the Weeknd and Lady Gaga, but separate yourself from the blowback and Collier's story is both fascinating and inspirational. Only 26, Collier is a digital native who explored Logic and posted a video to YouT...

Chelsea Handler has a new comedy special on HBO Max, "Evolution." We discuss that, as well as politics, relationships, books, streaming TV and our mutual passion...SKIING! You'll truly get to know the real Chelsea, who seemed as interested in me as I was in her! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noel Paul Stookey was "Paul" in Peter, Paul & Mary. Listen to Noel tell stories of Greenwich Village in the early sixties, the folk scene, turning Albert Grossman on to Bob Dylan, having hits, being on the road, embracing Christianity and keepin' on keepin' on, writing and performing to this day. Noel is erudite and articulate and it's a thrill to hear him opine on what once was, he was there,...

Tom Werman produced hit albums for Cheap Trick, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Molly Hatchet, Ted Nugent and Poison and then chucked it all to run a B&B in the Berkshires! Listen to hear how Tom lived up to his parents' expectations, even getting an MBA, before jumping ship for CBS Records and a legendary career in music. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com S...

Danny Zelisko has been a concert promoter for nearly fifty years, and except for an interlude working for Live Nation, they've all been spent as an independent. Danny's got a new book, "All Excess," which details his career in words and pictures. Listen to hear how Danny broke into the Phoenix market and established a toehold in Las Vegas, where over the millennium weekend he lost...a million doll...

You know Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling as Howard Stern's old writer/sidekick. Jackie claims to know more jokes than anybody, listen to hear about his journey from yesterday to today, from studying engineering to playing music to doing standup comedy. And he talks about the Stern Show too! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

BTO, Loverboy, Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and more...Bruce Allen is a legendary manager who started out booking clubs in Vancouver and fifty years later is just as vital and integral to his acts' careers as ever. Listen to hear how Bruce made it, and about his love of Elvis! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Dan Wilson is a songwriter, perfomer, producer and painter! You know him from Semisonic and "Closing Time" and "Secret Smile" as well as "Someone Like You," which he cowrote with Adele, and "Not Ready to Make Nice," which he cowrote with the (Dixie) Chicks, and many more. Listen for personal history, band stories and songwriting tips! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastne...

Richard Gottehrer is a songwriter, artist, producer, label owner and tech entrepreneur. "My Boyfriend's Back," "I Want Candy," "Sorrow," Sire Records, Blondie, Robert Gordon, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Marshall Crenshaw, the Go-Go's, the Orchard...need I say more? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manager of the Police and Sting, founder of I.R.S. Records, Miles Copeland rode a new sound to financial and cultural impact. Hear how a maverick did it his way and not only broke his acts, but created new ways of getting them recognized. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Derek Shulman was the lead singer of Gentle Giant and as an A&R man he signed Bon Jovi and Cinderella and ultimately he ran the Atco and Roadrunner record labels. Listen to hear how a successful musician made the transition to successful businessman (as well as the details of the recording and breaking of "Slippery When Wet"!) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor...