2023 Impact 50: John Silva

PRESIDENT
Silva Artist Management

Dave Grohl met John Silva when Nirvana was first looking for a manager in 1990, and since then, the two have become nearly inseparable, their careers spanning triumphs and tragedies. From the start, it seemed to Grohl and the rest of Nirvana that Silva was their perfect fit.

“We realized that he was one of us, an avid record collector, a musicologist, and we knew that this person based all of his love of music and his business on integrity, which was something that was very important to us,” Grohl said in February at the Pollstar Awards when he surprised the audience by coming out on stage to present Silva the Manager of the Year honor. “And over the years we’ve had some incredible triumphs and some devastating crises, but the one thing that has kept us together over the years is love. … I truly believe that [Silva and I] are like family.”

Three decades in, their relationship continues to thrive with Foo Fighters among Silva’s clients. While last year’s tour was canceled following the tragic death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins, members of the team, artists and fans rallied together for two tributes at London’s Wembley Stadium and Inglewood, California’s Kia Forum.

The shows saw Miley Cyrus, John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Tommy Lee, Alanis Morissette, Krist Novoselic and more joining together to honor the late drummer. Hawkins’ 16-year-old son Shane even took the stage and played drums along with the Foo Fighters. The show in Southern California sold 16,748 tickets and grossed $2.4 million, according to reports submitted to Pollstar’s Boxoffice. Proceeds from the tribute shows benefitted Music Support and MusiCares.

After spending the last year mourning and learning how to continue as a band without such an essential piece, Foo Fighters are headed back on the road this summer. The band is headlining many major festivals including Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and Austin City Limits, as well as taking the stage at numerous amphitheaters across the country including  Spokane, Washington; Virginia Beach, Virginia; El Paso, Texas; Gilford, New Hampshire, Rogers, Arkansas; Pelham, Alabama and more.