MISMANAGED: Part 1
Summer is almost over and that annual recognition of the mismanagement of time can be seen in the furrowed brow of many a tanned face. Don’t fret. Here are some musical examples of mismanagement:
Leonard Cohen vs Kelley Lynch
In the fall of 2005, Leonard Cohen discovered that his former manager Kelley Lynch had misappropriated millions of dollars from his retirement fund. Left owing money to other business associates, he was then forced to declare bankruptcy. He sued Ms. Lynch and was awarded $9 million dollars, however, it is considered highly doubtful that Mr. Cohen will ever receive that money from a now rogue Ms. Lynch (she also owes Neiman Marcus $70,000). To track Ms. Lynch’s current whereabouts, I recommend the following blog: http://blogonaut-blogonaut.blogspot.com/2010/07/former-cohen-manager-kelley-lynch-flees.html. Apparently, she spends her free at the public library writing blog posts about how Phil Spector whil come to her rescue.
Here is Leonard Cohen “Waiting for a Miracle”.
Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys vs Murry Gage Wilson and
Brian Wilson vs Eugene Landy
Brian Wilson’s hard luck is so well known by now that it is hard to refrain from sympathetic sighs when his name is brought up. His father, Murry Wilson, who helped form the Beach Boys, soon took on the role of manager, and co-produced them. He was known as a tough negotiator, and while he unarguably played a role in the band’s early success, it is his physically and emotionally abusive relationship with his sons that characterize his involvement with the band (Brian Wilson’s loss of hearing in one ear is often cited as having been caused by a 2×4 to the head, wielded by Murry). 5 years after Brian Wilson led an insurrection and ousted Murry as manager, Murry proved he could still hurt the band by selling the Beach Boys publishing company at a below-market price.
As if this wasn’t enough mismanagement, Brian Wilson later fell into the hands of the controversial therapist Eugene Landy, PhD. Eugene Landy came to exert almost total control over Brian Wilson’s life, and eventually used this control to make himself both a business manager and creative partner in Brian Wilson’s work during the 80′s. This abuse was later recognized as a violation of the ethics code of his profession, and his license was revoked. During this time, a supposed “autobiography” of Brian Wilson was published that praised Dr. Landy and his methods. Wilson later said that he didn’t even really write the book.
Here is “Love and Mercy”, the single from Brian Wilson’s first solo album produced by Dr. Eugene Landy. Thankfully, after a ruling in 1991, Dr. Landy’s name was removed from all subsequent pressings (as was Landy’s girlfriend’s name, Alexandra Morgan, who had also been added to the credits).
Janis Joplin vs Albert Grossman
It could easily be argued that Albert Grossman was, in fact, a very good manager for Janis Joplin. He negotiated contracts in her favor, sided against Big Brother and the Holding Company during disputes, and consistently displayed what appeared to be a genuine paternal affection for her. Nonetheless, upon learning of her heroin addiction in the summer of 1969, Albert Grossman took out a $200,000 dollar life insurance policy that would essentially reward him for her accidental death. It just took one year for his macabre investment to pay off. This is a recording of Janis performing the Bob Dylan song “Dear Landlord”. Coincidentally, Dylan fans often consider this song to be a dig at Albert Grossman (who managed Dylan through the 60′s into the early 70′s, when they stopped speaking and sued and counter-sued each other until Grossman’s death).