Comments on: Post’s Pearlstein on Live Nation vs. Seth Hurwitz

By: WB

WB — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:11:10 +0000

yeah, you’re right, not the best comparison…clearly the point (besides riffing on bonifants cw comment) was that the new merged entity still has existing ties to it’s original parent companies. This all (for me) started as a result of Bonifants original post which obsfucated Lapino’s long standing relationship with Clear Channel. If people honestly thing there are no ongoing relationships between Live Nation and Clear Channel, then I think they’re just being totally naive.

That said, since you used the B word…and asked a question, I personally think both LN and IMP are the wrong venue for that place. The whole original concept of this was Duncan’s desire to use a local entity, instead of an international chain, to create a unique look and feel to the downtown area. That said, since the debate on venues has gotten totally and ridiculously tunnel visioned between two providers, I think we both would agree that the bottom line of Hurwitz’s operation and the LN are separated by billions…which makes IMP a bit less establishment, as you put it.

Anyways, the agreement will be signed this coming week, and then we’ll go on to some hopefully serious debate about the prudence of all this in light of the county’s economic shortfall.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:02:46 +0000

The CW is not a “spin-off.” It was the result of a merger of UPN and WB, both of which have ceased independent operations as of September 2006. As a joint venture between CBS and Warner Bros. Entertainment (a subsidiary of Time Warner), your CW comparison to Live Nation/Clear Channel is tenuous, at best.

Get over it, dude. Seth Hurwitz and IMP (not to mention IPI) are just as much a part of the establishment as anyone else. Screw them, too. What else would you have? The Birchmere?

By: WB

WB — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:26:03 +0000

:^p Bonifant…quite an appropriate joke actually! As you know, the CW is basically a “spin-off” of CBS’s UPN and Warner Bros’ WB, and of course has indisputably deep roots in its respective parent companies. Much like Clear Channel’s continued deep roots in Live Nation.

By: Bonifant more sinister than Thayer

Bonifant more sinister than Thayer — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:27:37 +0000

WB: Aren’t you part of the CW now?

By: WB

WB — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:12:48 +0000

Gotta love the silly misdirective comment by Bonifant regarding the CEO of Live Nation, Michal Rapino. Bonifant tries to paint a picture that Rapino came from LaBatts to lead Live Nation and had no prior history at all with Clear Channel. What a crock. A quick check on the Live Nation investor site (http://tinyurl.com/2r7f9y) says this about Rapino: “In August 2005, Michael Rapino was appointed to chief executive officer of Live Nation. He most recently held the position of CEO / President of Global Music for Clear Channel Music Group. Previously, Rapino led Clear Channel Entertainment’s London-based International Music division.” Reading on further, it’s clear that Rapino has been working for Clear Channel since 1999. Of course there remain close ties between Live Nation and Clear Channel….sheesh…think you’ll ever hear any radio advertisements for a Live Nation venue on a non-Clear Channel station? Wise up, Bonifant.

By: thecourtyard

thecourtyard — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:14:30 +0000

I was always a little disappointed that Leggett never jumped on the “I’m Hip! I read blogs!” line that our County Councilmembers use. Sure it sounds silly, but most of them are telling the truth (and seem to be kind of scared, not gonna lie.)

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:40:27 +0000

I think Hurwitz is voting for someone to give *something* to Live Nation.

While we can’t fault people for wanting a greater say in the process (I do agree with the sentiment), I have to echo the sentiments of Bonifant More Sinister Than Thayer. As much as we’d like to think of this as a democracy, it’s not. Too much community say and we get mired in controversy for the foreseeable future.

I wonder if Mr. Leggett reads these things? Hey Mr. County Executive! Over here! Sign the contract before anything else happens!

By: thecourtyard

thecourtyard — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:22:15 +0000

Not going to happen. This is Montgomery County! I’m surprised we didn’t see the brouhaha coming sooner. We can’t fault people for wanting a greater say in the process.

After all, failed County Executive candidate Robin Ficker didn’t promise he would encase his office in glass for noting.

By: Sligo

Sligo — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:16:51 +0000

Heh heh “give it to Live Nation” is a potentially inflammatory phrase.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:58:35 +0000

And from Bill Muehlhauser’s (owner of the Ram’s Head) letter to Ike Leggett:

Seth has no problem bringing Virgin Fest into my backyard; he has no problem with boundaries as long as he is the one and only one putting in the entertainment. The amount of money he put in Merriweather Post Pavilion has been minimal and it shows. The success of the music he has put in there has been great. I myself would have loved to have a chance of booking and running that facility. I may be wrong but I do not remember an RFP being put out on Merriweather?

Would be interesting to find out how he got Merriweather. Give it to Live Nation and be done with it