Here’s a breakdown of Michael Lippman’s career, based on the provided text:
* Early Career & David Bowie (1971-1975): Lippman first gained prominence as david Bowie’s attorney and briefly, his manager. Bowie even lived with Lippman during the “Station to Station” period before their professional relationship ended.
* Arista Records (Late 1970s): He transitioned to a label role, becoming VP of West Coast Operations for Arista records. He developed a friendship with Clive Davis, Arista’s founder, and was inspired by Davis’s work ethic. He worked with artists like Melissa Manchester,and notably advocated for her to perform two songs at the 1980 Academy awards.
* Pioneering Management for Producers/Songwriters (1980s onwards): Lippman identified a gap in representation and began managing record producers and songwriters, recognizing them as artists in their own right.
* key Clients: He began managing producer Ron Nevison in 1980 and formed a 37-year partnership with Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s lyricist.
* forward-Thinking Approach: Lippman embraced “360 deals” as a natural progression, as he had always focused on all aspects of an artist’s career – touring, merchandising, records, videos, etc. He challenged the customary boundaries between management and record company control, actively engaging in areas like radio and TV promotion.
