Concert Industry History Test
In celebration of Pollstar's 30 Year Anniversary we invite you to test your knowledge of concert industry history with the following 50 questions.
- 1.
Wolfgang Grajonca was once the dominant concert promoter in which market?
- A.
Warsaw
- B.
Buffalo
- C.
San Francisco
- D.
Vienna
Correct Answer
C. San FranciscoExplanation
Wolodia "Wolfgang" Grajonca, after emigrating from Berlin, changed his name to Bill Graham, a similar-sounding surname found in the New York phonebook.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which promoter bailed Ozzy Osbourne out of jail after he urinated near the Alamo?
- A.
Louis Messina
- B.
Louie Gavrel
- C.
Jack Orbin
- D.
Don Fox
Correct Answer
C. Jack OrbinExplanation
Stone City Attractions' Jack Orbin promoted Osbourne’s show in San Antonio, where Ozzy made the mistake of bragging about the incident onstage.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Pollstar's Gary Smith once toured the world with which band?
- A.
Average White Band
- B.
Redbone
- C.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
- D.
Cannibal & The Headhunters
Correct Answer
A. Average White BandExplanation
Smitty is still available for tour consulting, if you have a lot of time to hear the stories about his days with the Scottish band.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Jules & Mike Belkin originally operated which kind of family owned business in Cleveland?
- A.
Boxing promotion
- B.
Men's clothing
- C.
The kind you don’t ask about
- D.
Pizza joint
Correct Answer
B. Men's clothingExplanation
The Belkins worked for their father's clothing business. Mike ran a store in Ashtabula, Ohio, and the owner began using big-band shows in a nearby ballroom to promote the stores. Mike was asked to take over booking.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of the following is true?
- A.
Australian promoter Michael Gudinski has an affinity for Mushrooms
- B.
Germany is the third biggest concert market in Europe
- C.
Back in the day, having lots of deadwood after a show was a good thing
- D.
Michael Cohl started in show business as a Broadway producer
Correct Answer
A. Australian promoter Michael Gudinski has an affinity for MushroomsExplanation
Gudinski formed Mushroom Records in 1972 and built a roster that included Kylie Minogue and Split Enz. He sold it in the '90s but still has interests in Mushroom Music Publishing and Pictures.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What on their resume do David Geffen, Barry Diller and Gary Bongiovanni have in common?
- A.
Degree from a prestigious college
- B.
Worked in William Morris mailroom
- C.
Have multiple recording or film credits
- D.
A pilot’s license
Correct Answer
B. Worked in William Morris mailroomExplanation
Other notables who went that route include Michael Ovitz, Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ben Silverman, Ron Meyer, Bryan Lourd and Bernie Brillstein.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Who is the Little Big Man?
- A.
Irving Azoff
- B.
Mo Ostin
- C.
Marty Diamond
- D.
Nils Lofgren
Correct Answer
C. Marty DiamondExplanation
Before he merged with Paradigm, Diamond’s Little Big Man agency was named after the 1970 Dustin Hoffman / Faye Dunaway movie, one of Marty’s favorites.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Miramax founder Harvey Weinstein was once a major concert promoter in which city?
- A.
Cannes
- B.
New York City
- C.
Chicago
- D.
Buffalo
Correct Answer
D. BuffaloExplanation
Before Harvey Weinstein was a movie mogul, he was “Harvey” of Harvey & Corky Productions, where he promoted concerts with his brother Bob and partner Corky Burger.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following is NOT true?
- A.
The very first music agent to join Tom Ross at CAA was Hal Lazareff
- B.
Ben Liss was the first executive director of the North American Concert Promoters Assoc.
- C.
Chip Hooper was an agent at the Good Music Agency in Excelsior, Minnesota
- D.
Neil Warnock has never represented Pink Floyd
Correct Answer
D. Neil Warnock has never represented Pink FloydExplanation
Anyone who knows Neil is aware that he has had a very long association with one of the greatest bands of our time.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Bill Graham first got his start in show business by being the business manager for which act?
- A.
Jefferson Airplane
- B.
San Francisco Mime Troupe
- C.
The Warlocks
- D.
Andre The Giant
Correct Answer
B. San Francisco Mime TroupeExplanation
The troupe, by the way, was fronted by a young actor named Peter Coyote.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which sports team changed owners because of The Jacksons' Victory Tour?
- A.
Toronto Argonauts
- B.
New England Patriots
- C.
Los Angeles Dodgers
- D.
Detroit Pistons
Correct Answer
B. New England PatriotsExplanation
The tour was promoted by Chuck Sullivan, son of New England Patriots owner Bill Sullivan. He guaranteed to pay the act for every ticket, sold or not, and failed to cap tour expenses in what was probably the worst deal in history.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which former cub reporter from Billboard’s Nashville office has written several NYT bestsellers?
- A.
Ray Waddell
- B.
Timothy White
- C.
Jim Buffett
- D.
John Updike
Correct Answer
C. Jim BuffettExplanation
Known in the music world as Jimmy Buffett, a young Jim, after graduating from Univ. of Southern Mississippi with a history degree, went on to be a Billboard correspondent, breaking the story of the separation of Flatt & Scruggs.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Former Florida-based promoters Jack Utsick and Lou Pearlman have what in common?
- A.
Charles Ponzi’s investment formula
- B.
Both are in jail
- C.
Are in witness protection
- D.
Enjoyed Carnivale in Rio this year
Correct Answer
A. Charles Ponzi’s investment formulaExplanation
Pearlman, the boy band mogul who allegedly swindled some $300 million from investors, is in the hoosegow for up to 25 years. Utsick, head of Worldwide Entertainment, was a major promoter until his trail of debts resulted in a move to Brazil, which has no extradition treaty.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which U.S. company first pioneered a summer circuit of large outdoor amphitheatres?
- A.
SFX Entertainment
- B.
Nederlander
- C.
Pace Concerts
- D.
MCA Concerts
Correct Answer
B. NederlanderExplanation
Pace and MCA Concerts knew the importance of owning their own buildings but Nederlander first championed the outdoor stage circuit in the ’70s, booking Pine Knob, Poplar Creek, Merriweather Post and the Greek Theatre.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which of the following is NOT true?
- A.
Rod Essig was an agent at Variety Artists International in Minneapolis
- B.
UK agent Carl Leighton-Pope was once a member of the Vienna Boys Choir
- C.
People thought Dan Weiner and Fred Bohlander were crazy to start an agency in Monterey
- D.
Pollstar first began publishing a digital edition in 1985
Correct Answer
B. UK agent Carl Leighton-Pope was once a member of the Vienna Boys ChoirExplanation
We don’t know whether he can sing or not, or would even be allowed into Austria, but Carl has never behaved like a choir boy. (PS: Promoters On-Line Listings WAS digital in 1985. Tour managers could access it, through the Dialcom network, on their Tandy TRS-80 computers with 40-character screens.)Rate this question:
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- 16.
One-time country music powerhouse The Jim Halsey Company was originally based in which city?
- A.
Wichita
- B.
Atlanta
- C.
Tulsa
- D.
Dallas
Correct Answer
C. TulsaExplanation
Halsey’s roster included Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba, James Brown, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings and many more before he sold his company to William Morris in 1990.Rate this question:
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- 17.
What was the first major U.K. booking agency to successfully establish an office in the U.S.?
- A.
Helter Skelter
- B.
The Agency Group
- C.
International Famous Agency
- D.
William Morris Agency
Correct Answer
B. The Agency GroupExplanation
After years of watching U.S. agencies open London offices, Neil Warnock hired Steve Martin to open a counteroffensive in Gotham.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Rob Light was promoted to agent after convincing which struggling client to cancel its tour?
- A.
Bay City Rollers
- B.
Strawberry Alarm Clock
- C.
Rick Astley
- D.
Starland Vocal Band
Correct Answer
A. Bay City RollersExplanation
As an assistant to Terry Rhodes, Rob Light was sent on the road and told not to come back until he persuaded the band that it would have a brighter future if it stopped burying promoters on its current tour.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Tila Tequila and Charlie Sheen have both been pelted and booed off the stage at which annual event?
- A.
Burning Man
- B.
Gathering Of The Juggalos
- C.
New Orleans Jazz Festival
- D.
Glastonbury
Correct Answer
B. Gathering Of The JuggalosExplanation
Funny, you’d think the followers of Insane Clown Posse would be more accepting of popular trends.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Why didn’t Elvis tour outside the United States?
- A.
He would not fly on airplanes
- B.
Colonel Tom Parker didn’t have a passport
- C.
It would have been un-American
- D.
Very little demand by overseas fans
Correct Answer
B. Colonel Tom Parker didn’t have a passportExplanation
It’s speculated, but Parker, who was born in the Netherlands, was a potential person of interest in a murder there, and he feared deportation if U.S. Customs asked questions.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Which agent and former agency association is NOT correct?
- A.
Andy Somers and Bandwagon
- B.
Jon Podell and Willard Alexander Agency
- C.
Nick Caris and Diversified Management Agency
- D.
John Huie and Premier Talent Agency
Correct Answer
D. John Huie and Premier Talent AgencyExplanation
Huie signed Amy Grant in 1984 and had his own NYC agency before joining CAA’s Nashville office in 1992.Rate this question:
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- 22.
What giant Minnesota-based corporation owned Ticketron?
- A.
3M
- B.
Control Data
- C.
IBM
- D.
Hyatt Hotels
Correct Answer
B. Control DataExplanation
In 1969, Control Data bought 51 percent of Ticket Reservations Systems, changed the name to Ticketron and emphasized its computer capabilities.Rate this question:
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- 23.
The first House Of Blues club was built in which city?
- A.
Los Angeles
- B.
London
- C.
Cambridge
- D.
Las Vegas
Correct Answer
C. CambridgeExplanation
It has since closed, but HoB launched in 1992 in Harvard Square with the financing of Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer and Harvard University, among others.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Which “Dancing With The Stars” participant lost millions of dollars producing concert festivals?
- A.
Mark Cuban
- B.
Michael Lang
- C.
Don King
- D.
Steve Wozniak
Correct Answer
D. Steve WozniakExplanation
The Apple Computer co-founder funded the two huge US festivals in a barren park in Devore, Calif., in 1982 and ’83. The talent lineups put together by Bill Graham one year, and Barry Fey the next, were legendary as was the overhead.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Before SFX came along, which major promoter was the first to attempt going public with an IPO?
- A.
Sunshine Promotions
- B.
Pace Concerts
- C.
Bill Graham Presents
- D.
Tea Party Concerts
Correct Answer
A. Sunshine PromotionsExplanation
Dave Lucas’ and Steve Sybesma’s Indianapolis-based company was expected to issue a million shares of common stock and $23 million in secured notes in 1994 but the deal never materialized.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Which one of the following is NOT true?
- A.
Performance Magazine ceased publication back in the 1990s
- B.
Donald Tarlton is the duck behind Donald K. Donald
- C.
There was never an agent named William Morris at WMA
- D.
UK agent John Jackson of K2 Agency does not want his artist roster published
Correct Answer
C. There was never an agent named William Morris at WMAExplanation
False. A German Jewish immigrant, William Morris went into business as a vaudeville agent in New York in 1898.Rate this question:
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- 27.
What Ruthless rock agent reinvented himself as an early champion of hard core rap music?
- A.
Morris Levy
- B.
Jerry Heller
- C.
Suge Knight
- D.
Lyor Cohen
Correct Answer
B. Jerry HellerExplanation
Tales of Heller’s transition from Mickey Rooney’s agent to a West Coast rap impresario with NWA can be found in his book “Ruthless.”Rate this question:
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- 28.
What NY agency used to throw legendary parties in their office during the New Music Seminar?
- A.
American Talent International
- B.
William Morris Agency
- C.
Frontier Booking International
- D.
International Talent Group
Correct Answer
C. Frontier Booking InternationalExplanation
It was push the desks against the walls and lock up the phones as the FBI offices became sardine city for NMS delegates. Ian must have loved the smell of stale beer on the Monday morning after.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Who was NOT one of the trio of concert promoters that produced Live Aid?
- A.
Bill Graham
- B.
Harvey Goldsmith
- C.
Michael Cohl
- D.
Larry Magid
Correct Answer
C. Michael CohlExplanation
Larry Magid and Bill Graham produced the show in Philadelphia while Harvey Goldsmith did the honors at Wembley.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Who was Irving Azoff’s first management client?
- A.
Wendy Waldman
- B.
REO Speedwagon
- C.
Dan Fogelberg
- D.
Tim Weisberg
Correct Answer
C. Dan FogelbergExplanation
Azoff began by promoting REO Speedwagon, a popular local act in central Illinois. He then discovered Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student Fogelberg (Azoff was an alumnus) playing at coffeehouses and became his manager.Rate this question:
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- 31.
Which person has never worked as an executive at Radio City Music Hall?
- A.
Ed Micone
- B.
Bob Gutkowski
- C.
Scott Sanders
- D.
Tim Leiweke
Correct Answer
D. Tim LeiwekeExplanation
Lots of people have worked at Radio City over the years but the president of AEG got his start in the Midwest back in 1981 by managing the Kansas City Comets.Rate this question:
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- 32.
Who started in the concert business by winning seed money for a bar in a poker game?
- A.
Jack Boyle
- B.
Frank J. Russo
- C.
Marcel Avram
- D.
Arny Granat
Correct Answer
A. Jack BoyleExplanation
Boyle bought a part of Old Mac’s Bar in Georgetown with $1,100 he won in a poker game. From there he went on to buy and sell several Washington, D.C., properties on his way to building the Cellar Door empire.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Which booking agent first established a network of local concert promoters specializing in rock music?
- A.
Dick Clark
- B.
Freddie Fields
- C.
Frank Barsalona
- D.
Jeff Franklin
Correct Answer
C. Frank BarsalonaExplanation
There was once a time when you weren’t a successful rock promoter unless “Frank” handpicked you and gave you a market to call your own.Rate this question:
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- 34.
IFA and CMA merged to form which booking agency?
- A.
Triad Artists
- B.
International Creative Management
- C.
MCA
- D.
Agency For The Performing Arts
Correct Answer
B. International Creative ManagementExplanation
The merger of International Famous Agency and Creative Management Associates took place in 1975.Rate this question:
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- 35.
Which of the following is NOT true?
- A.
William Morris was the first full-service agency to successfully open a Nashville office
- B.
In the 1970s the Telex was used to confirm booking offers between agents and promoters
- C.
Jerry Mickelson and Peter Luukko testified in the congressional TM / LN merger hearings
- D.
Fred Rosen was the original founder and CEO of Ticketmaster
Correct Answer
D. Fred Rosen was the original founder and CEO of TicketmasterExplanation
TM began in the ’70s with grad student Albert Leffler and computer exec Gordon Gunn, but it was Rosen and his venue-friendly model that came along later and changed the ticketing landscape.Rate this question:
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- 36.
Jon Landau’s occupation before he met Bruce Springsteen was:
- A.
Record producer
- B.
Journalist
- C.
Session player
- D.
Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man
Correct Answer
B. JournalistExplanation
Landau can be found in the very first issue of Rolling Stone and, in a 1974 article in The Real Paper, he wrote, “I saw rock and roll’s future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”Rate this question:
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- 37.
Which venue executives did NOT begin their careers in Monroe, Louisiana?
- A.
Mike McGee and Sydney Greenblatt
- B.
Rick Reno and Obie Webster
- C.
Neal Gunn and Alan Freeman
- D.
Michael Marion and Todd Hunt
Correct Answer
D. Michael Marion and Todd HuntExplanation
Both got their starts in Tupelo. Unbelievably for such a small market, the other six all began their careers in Monroe.Rate this question:
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- 38.
WME’s Peter Grosslight, Marc Geiger and Don Muller first worked together at which agency?
- A.
William Morris Agency
- B.
Rob Kahane Management
- C.
Triad Artists
- D.
Richard Rosenberg Agency
Correct Answer
C. Triad ArtistsExplanation
The trio had so much success with building the music department that staid old William Morris bought the company to get its savvy agents and hot roster.Rate this question:
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- 39.
For many years the Felt Forum was part of which venue complex?
- A.
Royal Albert Hall
- B.
Caesars Palace
- C.
The Fabulous Forum
- D.
Madison Square Garden
Correct Answer
D. Madison Square GardenExplanation
When the current version of MSG opened in 1968, the adjoining theatre was named after president Irving Felt where it was frequently used for boxing matches.Rate this question:
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- 40.
The first year that the Rolling Stones used two-tiered ticket pricing on a U.S. tour was:
- A.
1989
- B.
1994
- C.
1997
- D.
1999
Correct Answer
B. 1994Explanation
Boy, did that experiment fail. We’ve never done anything like that again.Rate this question:
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- 41.
Which of the following is NOT true?
- A.
Don Fox named his promotion company after a buck-toothed animal
- B.
Kevin Morrow was once the booking agent for Charlie Musselwhite
- C.
Glastonbury producer Michael Eavis actually makes his money as a hedge fund manager
- D.
Actress Courteney Cox worked as a secretary for Ian Copeland at FBI
Correct Answer
C. Glastonbury producer Michael Eavis actually makes his money as a hedge fund managerExplanation
Far from investing services, Eavis spends most of the year as a dairy farmer although he might tend the hedge rows around the farm.Rate this question:
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- 42.
John Scher first established himself as a promoter with a regular series of shows at which venue?
- A.
Stone Pony in Asbury Park
- B.
Capitol Theatre in Passaic
- C.
The Limelight in NYC
- D.
Rutgers Fieldhouse in New Brunswick
Correct Answer
B. Capitol Theatre in PassaicExplanation
Scher began his career with a steady stream of shows at what was once a must-play rock venue in New Jersey.Rate this question:
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- 43.
Which of the following have strong close relationships today?
- A.
Randy Phillips and HITS magazine
- B.
Irving Azoff and Don Felder
- C.
Marek Lieberberg and Germany’s Live Entertainment Awards
- D.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. None of the aboveExplanation
No, apparently we can’t all just get along.Rate this question:
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- 44.
Which concert promotion company was the first to be purchased by SFX?
- A.
Sunshine Promotions
- B.
Don Law Co.
- C.
Delsener Slater
- D.
Contemporary Productions
Correct Answer
C. Delsener SlaterExplanation
Wall Street impresario Robert F.X. Sillerman started the concert roll-up on his home turf by making a deal for NYC’s biggest promoter.Rate this question:
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- 45.
Needed or not, the standard '70s AFM contract form required promoters to supply what?
- A.
Water for the performers
- B.
Grand piano
- C.
A carton of cigs for the stagehands
- D.
Safety railings for the stage
Correct Answer
B. Grand pianoExplanation
Few people ever turned over the back of the AFM contract form to read all the boilerplate fine print, one of which specified the buyer had to supply the piano.Rate this question:
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- 46.
Who took over running the music department after ICM bought ATI?
- A.
Tom Ross
- B.
Bill Elson
- C.
Shelly Schultz
- D.
Norby Walters
Correct Answer
B. Bill ElsonExplanation
He was the head of ATI when ICM bought the company to try and revitalize itself after Tom Ross had left with many acts and agents to start the CAA music department.Rate this question:
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- 47.
Who has hosted the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards the most times?
- A.
Bobcat Goldthwait
- B.
Elayne Boosler
- C.
Lewis Black
- D.
Dan Aykroyd
Correct Answer
C. Lewis BlackExplanation
Anyone who has the balls to wag his finger at concert execs and call them pricks will get a lot of curtain calls. In this case four of them, not counting his surprise appearance when Kathleen Madigan hosted.Rate this question:
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- 48.
Don Arden’s daughter manages which artist?
- A.
Peter Framptom
- B.
Joni Mitchell
- C.
Ozzy Osbourne
- D.
Billy Corgan
Correct Answer
C. Ozzy OsbourneExplanation
Arden was manager of Black Sabbath and other major English acts. When Ozzy left the group, Arden’s daughter, a wallflower then named Sharon Levy, took it upon herself to manage the wayward soul before marrying him.Rate this question:
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- 49.
Which company became synonymous with remote control moving theatrical lights?
- A.
Daktronics
- B.
Vari-Lite
- C.
PAR Excellence
- D.
Alert-O-Lite
Correct Answer
B. Vari-LiteExplanation
Remember those Van Halen tours with 1,000 lights up in the truss because each one could only do one color and focus on one place? The Texas-based company, with financing from the band Genesis, changed all of that.Rate this question:
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- 50.
Which contemporary act first had the cojones to charge over $100 per ticket on its 1994 tour?
- A.
Pink Floyd
- B.
The Rolling Stones
- C.
Eagles
- D.
The Jacksons
Correct Answer
C. EaglesExplanation
And we, to say nothing of Irving, have never looked back.Rate this question:
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