- Jon Landau
Jon Landau (born 1947) is an American
music critic ,manager , andrecord producer , most known for his association in all three capacities withBruce Springsteen .He is currently the head of the nominating committee for the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , and along with "Rolling Stone " editorJann Wenner , has been criticised in this role for apparently vetoing a large number of candidates considered worthy by observers [ [http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/11945401.html The rant ] ] , so much so that some associates, includingJoel Selvin andJon Bream , have protested by refusing to vote as they are prescribed to.Fact|date=January 2008As a critic, Landau wrote for "
Rolling Stone " and other publications. He had a history of giving controversial reviews.Fact|date=January 2008 At the height of the guitarist's prowess in the band Cream, and following a lackluster performance at Brandeis University, Landau accusedEric Clapton of being merely a "master of blues clichés". Clapton was very sensitive to criticism, and Landau's words helped contribute to the demise of Cream, a band that was already on the verge of dissolution due to internal problems. [Fred Goodman, "The Mansion on the Hill: Dylan, Young, Geffen, Springsteen, and the Head-On Collision of Rock and Commerce" (New York: Vintage 1998) p. 34] Later, he gaveThe Rolling Stones ' record "Sticky Fingers " a negative review in "Rolling Stone" magazine [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/therollingstones/albums/album/99494/review/6068307/sticky_fingers The Rolling Stones: Sticky Fingers : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone ] ] . The magazine later listed it as the 63rd greatest album of all time [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/ The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time : Rolling Stone ] ] .Landau, however, was unrepentant. He also gave a lukewarm review of Bob Dylan's 1975 album "Blood on the Tracks ", arguing that it would "only sound like a great album for a while" [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/284048/blood_on_the_tracks Blood On The Tracks : Bob Dylan : Review : Rolling Stone ] ] . "Blood on the Tracks" is today considered one of Dylan's finest works. [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6597661/16_blood_on_the_tracks 16) Blood on the Tracks : Rolling Stone ] ] .Landau first produced
The MC5 , a Detroit based band with overt political overtones. Landau replaced the group's original manager John Sinclair when Sinclair was sentenced to nine years in state prison for drug possession.Fact|date=January 2008 Landau advised the group against continued drug use, and produced their most commercially successful albums, which still lost money forAtlantic Records .Fact|date=January 2008Landau's prophetic 1974 article in "
The Real Paper " [ [http://home.theboots.net/theboots/articles/future.html TheBoots.Net - The Bruce Springsteen Web Connection - Articles ] ] , wherein he famously claimed "I saw rock and roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen", is credited byNick Hornby [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/opinion/21HORN.html?ex=1400472000&en=eb45d83049f168aa&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Contributor: Rock of Ages ] ] and others with fostering Springsteen's popularity. Landau was then hired by Springsteen, and is cited as co-producer on Springsteen studio records from 1975's "Born to Run ", through 1991's "Human Touch " and "Lucky Town ". He was instrumental in encouraging Springsteen to sue his first managerMike Appel ,Fact|date=January 2008 which resulted in a protracted court battle and absence from the studio for Springsteen at the height of Springsteen's first taste of popularity. Landau is also considered to have influenced Springsteen artistically [ [http://www.slate.com/id/2117845 Bruce Springsteen, bullshitter. - By Stephen Metcalf - Slate Magazine ] ] as well as professionally.Other artists that Landau has managed and/or produced include
Livingston Taylor ,Jackson Browne , andShania Twain , among others.Landau was once married to the
New York Times film critic (and later book reviewer)Janet Maslin .References
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