Bob Lefsetz: Difference between revisions
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Lol me doing my best impression of Bob Lefsetz, who is the worst writer alive and is absolutely not worth whatever he gets paid. Go read the lyrics of "Mean" by Taylor Swift. They were written about this tedious as$hole and they're his only legacy Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Delectable1 (talk | contribs) →Background: review |
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{{Short description|American music critic and blogger}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| image = File:Bob Lefsetz CMW 2009.jpg |
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| caption = Bob Lefsetz at [[Canadian Music Week]] in [[Toronto]], 2009 |
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| birth_name = Robert Scott Lefsetz |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|4|22|mf=yes}} |
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| birth_place = [[Fairfield, Connecticut]], U.S. |
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| education = [[Middlebury College]]<br>[[Southwestern Law School]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) |
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| occupation = [[Music industry]] analyst and critic |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Robert Scott "Bob" Lefsetz''' (born April 22, 1953) is an |
'''Robert Scott "Bob" Lefsetz''' (born April 22, 1953) is an American analyst and critic. He is the author of ''The Lefsetz Letter'', an email newsletter, and a blog. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Lefsetz grew up in [[Fairfield, Connecticut]] and is a graduate of [[Middlebury College]] |
Lefsetz grew up in [[Fairfield, Connecticut]] and is a graduate of [[Middlebury College]]; he majored in art history. He moved to [[Los Angeles]] in the 1970s. After earning a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from [[Southwestern Law School]], he worked as an entertainment business [[Lawyer|attorney]] and briefly as head of [[Sanctuary Music]]'s American division. He has worked as a consultant to major [[record label]]s.<ref name="celebrityaccess.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.celebrityaccess.com/members/profile.html?id=434 |title=CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles |publisher=Celebrityaccess.com |accessdate=2014-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219192045/http://www.celebrityaccess.com/members/profile.html?id=434 |archive-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and based in [[Santa Monica, California]]. |
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==The Lefsetz Letter== |
==The Lefsetz Letter== |
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The newsletter has tens of thousands of subscribers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-lefsetz-music-industry-lefsetz-letter-288217 |title=Music Industry Watchdog Bob Lefsetz on the Future of the Biz and 5 Mistakes New Acts Should Avoid |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2014-02-12 |first=Shirley |last=Halperin}}</ref><ref>DuLac, Josh Freedom (March 27, 2008). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032602919.html Rage Against The Machine]". ''[[The Washington Post]]''</ref> From April 2013 through December 2015, Lefsetz wrote a weekly column for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety's]]'' weekly print edition and its website.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/biz/variety-bob-lefsetz-form-alliance-1200331940/ |title=Variety, Bob Lefsetz form alliance |publisher=Variety |date=2013-04-02 |accessdate=2014-02-12}}</ref> |
The newsletter has tens of thousands of subscribers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bob-lefsetz-music-industry-lefsetz-letter-288217 |title=Music Industry Watchdog Bob Lefsetz on the Future of the Biz and 5 Mistakes New Acts Should Avoid |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2014-02-12 |first=Shirley |last=Halperin}}</ref><ref>DuLac, Josh Freedom (March 27, 2008). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032602919.html Rage Against The Machine]". ''[[The Washington Post]]''</ref> From April 2013 through December 2015, Lefsetz wrote a weekly column for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety's]]'' weekly print edition and its website.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/biz/variety-bob-lefsetz-form-alliance-1200331940/ |title=Variety, Bob Lefsetz form alliance |publisher=Variety |date=2013-04-02 |accessdate=2014-02-12}}</ref> |
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===Themes explored=== |
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# The diminishing role of the major record labels in current recorded music and corresponding increasing influence and importance of grassroots artist activities such as live performances and direct online relationships with fans. |
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# The decline of [[CD]] sales as alternate online music services such as [[Spotify]] continue to flourish. |
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# The prevalence of [[Peer-to-Peer]] (P2P) [[file-sharing]] as the primary source of digital music distribution. |
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# The need for a legitimate and licensed Peer-to-Peer or similar distribution service to facilitate the next working business model for the music industry. |
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# Lefsetz's personal reflections on [[songs]], [[songwriter]]s, [[band (music)|bands]] and industry insiders that have affected his unique and independent outlook of the music industry. |
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# Lefsetz's personal observations on a wide range of topics, including reflections on his personal life. |
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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In 2007, Lefsetz and [[Kid Rock]] engaged in an email feud but have since reconciled.<ref name="Wired Magazine">{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/mf_lefsetz/all/1 |title=Who The Hell Is Bob Lefsetz? |last=Raftery |first=Brian |publisher=Wired |date=March 2012 |accessdate=2013-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://librivox.org/fairy-tales-by-the-brothers-grimm/ |title=Kafka, Peter (November 9, 2007) |publisher=Alleyinsider.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Maura |url=http://idolator.com/tunes/war-of-the-words/kid-rock-goes-from-waffle-house-scraps-to-flame-wars-320829.php |title=Maura (November 9, 2007) |publisher=Idolator.com |accessdate=2014-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317130807/http://idolator.com/tunes/war-of-the-words/kid-rock-goes-from-waffle-house-scraps-to-flame-wars-320829.php# |archive-date=2009-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
In 2007, Lefsetz and [[Kid Rock]] engaged in an email feud but have since reconciled.<ref name="Wired Magazine">{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/mf_lefsetz/all/1 |title=Who The Hell Is Bob Lefsetz? |last=Raftery |first=Brian |publisher=Wired |date=March 2012 |accessdate=2013-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://librivox.org/fairy-tales-by-the-brothers-grimm/ |title=Kafka, Peter (November 9, 2007) |publisher=Alleyinsider.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Maura |url=http://idolator.com/tunes/war-of-the-words/kid-rock-goes-from-waffle-house-scraps-to-flame-wars-320829.php |title=Maura (November 9, 2007) |publisher=Idolator.com |accessdate=2014-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317130807/http://idolator.com/tunes/war-of-the-words/kid-rock-goes-from-waffle-house-scraps-to-flame-wars-320829.php# |archive-date=2009-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2009, Lefsetz and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] bassist [[Gene Simmons]] exchanged insults via [[e-mail]] and in person at the [[Canadian Music Week]] conference; they had a debate at the [[Fairmont Royal York|Royal York Hotel]] in [[Toronto]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Robert |date=March 13, 2009 |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1273246/simmons-lefsetz-to-debate-at-canadian-music-week |title=Simmons, Lefsetz To Debate At Canadian Music Week |publisher=Billboard.com |accessdate=May 6, 2013 |archive-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405195412/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1273246/simmons-lefsetz-to-debate-at-canadian-music-week |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Video of Lefsetz in-discussion with Gene Simmons at Canadian Music Week, March 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ziIwZRl7U |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/w-ziIwZRl7U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=Youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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In 2009, Lefsetz and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] bassist [[Gene Simmons]] exchanged insults via [[e-mail]] and in person at the [[Canadian Music Week]] conference, and they debated officially at the [[Fairmont Royal York|Royal York Hotel]] in [[Toronto]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Thompson |first=Robert |date=March 13, 2009 |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/global/1273246/simmons-lefsetz-to-debate-at-canadian-music-week |title=Simmons, Lefsetz To Debate At Canadian Music Week |publisher= Billboard.com |accessdate=May 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Video of Lefsetz in-discussion with Gene Simmons at Canadian Music Week, March 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-ziIwZRl7U |publisher=Youtube.com}}</ref> |
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In 2010, American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] released a song titled "[[Mean (Taylor Swift song)|Mean]]" which is rumored to be about Lefsetz and his critical review about her performance at the [[52nd Grammy Awards]] with rock and roll legend [[Stevie Nicks]]. |
In 2010, American singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] released a song titled "[[Mean (Taylor Swift song)|Mean]]" which is rumored to be about Lefsetz and his critical review about her performance at the [[52nd Grammy Awards]] with rock and roll legend [[Stevie Nicks]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=November 2, 2017 |title=If you think Taylor Swift sings only about her exes, then you don’t get Taylor Swift |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/if-you-think-taylor-swift-sings-only-about-her-exes-then-you-dont-get-taylor-swift/2017/11/01/76c0227e-b9a8-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html |access-date=January 7, 2024 |work=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 June 2024
Bob Lefsetz | |
|---|---|
 Bob Lefsetz at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, 2009 | |
| Born | Robert Scott Lefsetz April 22, 1953 Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Bildung | Middlebury College Southwestern Law School (JD) |
| Occupation(s) | Music industry analyst and critic |
Robert Scott "Bob" Lefsetz (born April 22, 1953) is an American analyst and critic. He is the author of The Lefsetz Letter, an email newsletter, and a blog.
Background
[edit]Lefsetz grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut and is a graduate of Middlebury College; he majored in art history. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. After earning a J.D. degree from Southwestern Law School, he worked as an entertainment business attorney and briefly as head of Sanctuary Music's American division. He has worked as a consultant to major record labels.[1] and based in Santa Monica, California.
The Lefsetz Letter
[edit]The newsletter has tens of thousands of subscribers.[2][3] From April 2013 through December 2015, Lefsetz wrote a weekly column for Variety's weekly print edition and its website.[4]
Controversy
[edit]In 2007, Lefsetz and Kid Rock engaged in an email feud but have since reconciled.[5][6][7] In 2009, Lefsetz and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons exchanged insults via e-mail and in person at the Canadian Music Week conference; they had a debate at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.[8][9]
In 2010, American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift released a song titled "Mean" which is rumored to be about Lefsetz and his critical review about her performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards with rock and roll legend Stevie Nicks.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "CelebrityAccess Industry Profiles". Celebrityaccess.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (2012-02-08). "Music Industry Watchdog Bob Lefsetz on the Future of the Biz and 5 Mistakes New Acts Should Avoid". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ DuLac, Josh Freedom (March 27, 2008). "Rage Against The Machine". The Washington Post
- ^ "Variety, Bob Lefsetz form alliance". Variety. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ Raftery, Brian (March 2012). "Who The Hell Is Bob Lefsetz?". Wired. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- ^ "Kafka, Peter (November 9, 2007)". Alleyinsider.com. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ Maura. "Maura (November 9, 2007)". Idolator.com. Archived from the original on 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ Thompson, Robert (March 13, 2009). "Simmons, Lefsetz To Debate At Canadian Music Week". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Video of Lefsetz in-discussion with Gene Simmons at Canadian Music Week, March 2009". Youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
- ^ Yahr, Emily (November 2, 2017). "If you think Taylor Swift sings only about her exes, then you don't get Taylor Swift". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2024.