Harvey Leeds Lands At Live Nation

When Harvey Leeds announced during Pollstar’s Concert Industry Awards in February that his 2008 April Fool Day surprise would be his first day no longer employed by Sony Music, nobody expected him to just retire quietly.

And the fact is, not only did he not retire, but he’s now vocationally reincarnated as a booker and special events developer for Live Nation’s New York office, reporting to regional president Kevin Morrow. Leeds started as a consultant for the company June 9.

"Harvey’s going to be booking shows, helping us with special projects and developing industry events … there’s a million different things the guy will be working on," Morrow told Pollstar.

Despite Leeds’ long career with Sony Music, Morrow insists that it’s not Leeds’ label background that Live Nation is bringing into the fold so much as it is his 35 years worth of knowledge and relationships.

"The whole thing is about being a booker; we’re definitely not in the record business," Morrow said. "It’s a second life for Harvey. The reality is, as a talent booker, an agent, or a manager it’s all about your relationships and being able to take advantage of the people you know.

"When I sit with Harvey and look at all the people he’s worked with, I know that as a booker this guy is going to be great. People know he’s going to do what he says he’s going to do, and he’s going to cut a fair deal."

And it’s certainly true that some of the most successful names in the business got their start doing something other than what they are now known for. Morrow, who started out as an agent, gave himself as an example as well as such industry heavyweights as Mike Krebs (agent) and Alex Hodges (manager and agent).

"We all started out as different things. It doesn’t matter as long as you understand how it works and you have relationships. Besides, the fact is that Harvey’s passion for music is really great in our office. The guy’s a pleasure to come to work with every day."