#209 - 34,000 Shows Later

On this episode, Danny Zelisko shares with us his forty years in the music business, producing over 34,000 shows in that time. He talks about what it was like to get started in the business as a stagehand (including being a security guard on Alice Cooper shows), what it was like to work with concert and tour producer legend Bill Graham, and how he and Bill put together one of the largest music festivals ever, just for a little film called “A Star Is Born” starring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Danny Zelisko began producing shows in Arizona in 1974. He founded Evening Star Productions, and has become known as one of the USA’s best promoters and talent buyers since.

The first room he steadily booked starting in 1976 was Dooley’s Nightclub (750 capacity) in Tempe. Acts such as The Police, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Talking Heads, KISS, Bon Jovi, No Doubt and Nirvana (among many others) performed at the intimate venue from its opening in 1976, until it closed after several ownership and name changes (aka After the Gold Rush and Electric Ballroom) in the mid-1990′s. Nightclub concerts by recording stars began happening all over the country, with Zelisko leading his territory in this area of booking. Zelisko and his team produced hundreds of new and veteran bands in facilities across the valley. Since that time, Danny has gone on to produce over 35,000 shows, and has now written a book titled “All Excess; Occupation Concert Promoter”, where he talks about his time working with such greats as Alice Cooper, Bill Graham, and so many others during his 40 years in the music business.

www.dzplive.com

The Business Side of Music ™

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Showrunner and Executive Producer Emeritus: Tom Sabella Producer and Host (the guy who has a face for podcasting): Bob Bender Co-Producer - Audio/Video Editor (the man behind the curtain): Mark Sabella Director of Video and Continuity (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Marketing and Social Media (all knowing): Sarah Fleshner for 362 Entertainment All Around Problem Solver (and Mental Health Therapist for us): Connie Ribas Recorded inside an old beat up Airstream Trailer located somewhere on what’s left of Music Row in Nashville TN (except during pandemics, then it's pretty much been accomplished VIA Zoom or over the phone, with the exception for those fearless enough to come to Bob Bender's dining room… and there have been a few that have survived). Mixed and Mastered at Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Editing and Post at Midnight Express Studio located in Olian, NY Production Sound Design: Keith Stark Voice Over and Promo: Lisa Fuson Special Thanks to the creator and founder of the podcast, Tom Sabella, along with Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast and trusting us to carry on their legacy.

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