Eagles Manager Starts Concert Company
December 13 -- Just at a time when it seemed that the concert industry couldn't get more crowded, promoters SFX and House of Blues suddenly have a new competitor to deal with.
The Rolodex clout of music mogul Irving Azoff, combined with the deep pockets of Colorado billionaire Phil Anschutz makes Anschutz Entertainment Group/Concerts West LTD an instant player in the national concert scene. AEG announced it was buying Concerts West earlier this week for an undisclosed sum, after months of behind-the-scenes ramping up to challenge the national dominance of SFX and HOB.
"I'm a crafty little guy who has been in the business for 30 years. I know where things are that need to be done," Azoff said.
AEG President Timothy J. Leiweke and Azoff will serve as the company's co-chairmen with Concerts West owners John Meglen and Paul Gongaware retaining their co-CEO titles.
Azoff and Anschutz have bumped into each other in the past, but it wasn't until Azoff and Concerts West staged the Eagles' "Millennium" concert at Anschutz's Staples Center in Los Angeles last year that the two giants began serious talks.
Between the two of them, they've got relationships with artists and venues, and they plan to leverage those connections into national concert tours, primarily focusing on arenas.
Anschutz's group owns everything from the London Arena to the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. Azoff's involvement comes as being a financial backer of Concerts West, which has done several successful national tours, including the recent Dixie Chicks and Mariah Carey tours.
Concert promotions are the first aim of the new group. "There's a real need in the market for it," Azoff said. "As far as national package tours are concerned, House of Blues seems to pretty much be sitting on the sidelines at the moment."
But Azoff adds, "The area where I have a lot of desire to work, is the future of music in the digital world. I can't think of anyone better than Mr. Anschutz and the people around him to help us figure that out."
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