(UPDATED) We all have to eat, and many of us have wondered how the music industry's leading curmudgeon, Bob Lefsetz, paid the bills. A seldom spoken of part-time gig with Rhino Records didn't seem hardly enough for the man who's free email newsletter and blog probably have more readers than Billboard. Today, Lefsetz added to his portfolio, joining old school entertainment industry trade Variety as a contributing columnist.
Variety announced that Lefsetz’s "passionate and provocative observations" on music and will be
a "regular feature" in their re-launched weekly print edition and
on the web.
Watch Out Billboard
Calling the pairing an "alliance" rather than a hiring, the addition of Lefsetz signals that Variety's new owners are not ceding music industry coverage to Billboard any more than they will leave movie and TV coverage to Billboard's sister publication The Hollywood Reporter.
“I
met with top music industry executives in preparation for Variety’s re-launch
and they all agreed on one thing: Bob Lefsetz is the only must-read in the
music business,” said Jay Penske, CEO of Penske Media Corporation, parent
company of Variety.
“Jay
Penske is a passionate player desirous of revolutionizing content distribution
in a sphere that is oftentimes wedded to the past,” added Lefsetz. "He
understands it’s all about where we’re going as opposed to where we’ve
been. Jay wants to ask the hard questions and make people think,
isn’t
that what great writing is all about? I’m thrilled to be aligned
with both Jay and Variety. Be prepared, be very prepared, the future is
now.”
No More "Fuck You"?
Despite the words mutual praise, it's hard to imagine Variety publishing some of Lefsetz's incredibly smart but vitriolic and obscenity laden writing.
UPDATE: Variety has confimed that Lefestz will continue to publish his free music industry email newsletter and blog.
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