If you want to see a terrific documentary (and you don’t mind being reminded of how inconsequential your life has been), then look no further than “Inventing David Geffen.” This documentary by Susan Lacy was released on PBS in 2012, but, somehow, I missed it. It is now on Netflix. If you are a folk-rock fan of the late 60’s and 70’s, it’s a MUST-SEE and has a MUST-HEAR soundtrack, too!
A nice Jewish boy born in Brooklyn (just like me – and we have the same first name, too!), Geffen was dyslexic and did poorly in school. Being a great risk taker (which continued throughout his life), he left Brooklyn without a college education and moved to LA without any family living there or money in his wallet. Somehow, he became an agent, manager, record executive, record label founder (two times – Asylum Records and Geffen Records), Broadway show producer, and co-owner/founder of “Dreamworks” movie studio. Geffen identified as gay; however, being an “out-of-the box” kind of guy, he had a 1 & 1/2 year torrid love affair with Cher, who eventually dumped him for Greg Allman. (I wonder if Geffen listened to the Allman Bros. after she left him, since he must have been feeling the blues at that time – e.g.: “Whipping Post.”)
The film doesn’t delve into his childhood much and focuses on Geffen’s rise to the top after he leaves Brooklyn. The movie has multiple interviews with Geffen, but also has interviews with Laura Nyro, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell (whom I still have a crush on after our one – apparently not good enough! – dinner together), Neil Young, David Crosby, and Steven Spielberg, among others. Geffen wasn’t talented as an artist, but he was a genius at spotting talented musicians. Not only that, but he nurtured them in a unique way so that they could achieve greatness. Unlike the other record labels, he even gave them a fair deal! He was also a political power-broker who became disappointed with Bill Clinton’s “don’t-ask-don’t-tell” Armed Services policy and then backed Obama against Hillary. Geffen’s life story is truly incredible!
If you want to see a terrific documentary (and you don't mind being reminded of how inconsequential your life has been), then look no further than "Inventing David Geffen." This documentary by Susan Lacy was released on PBS in 2012, but, somehow, I missed it. It is now on Netflix. If you are a folk-rock fan of the late 60's and 70's, it's a MUST-SEE and has a MUST-HEAR soundtrack, too! A nice Jewish boy born in Brooklyn (just like me – and we have the same first name, too!), Geffen was dyslexic and did poorly in school. Being a great risk taker (which continued throughout his life), he left Brooklyn without a college education and moved to LA without any family living there or money in his wallet. Somehow, he became an agent, manager, record executive, record label founder (two times – Asylum Records and Geffen Records), Broadway show producer, and co-owner/founder of "Dreamworks" movie studio. Geffen identified as gay; however, being an "out-of-the box" kind of guy, he had a 1 & 1/2 year torrid love affair with Cher, who eventually dumped him for Greg Allman. (I wonder if Geffen listened to the Allman Bros. after she left him, since he must have been feeling the blues at that time – e.g.: "Whipping Post.") The film doesn't delve into his childhood much and focuses on Geffen's rise to the top after he leaves Brooklyn. The movie has multiple interviews with Geffen, but also has interviews with Laura Nyro, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell (whom I still have a crush on after our one – apparently not good enough! – dinner together), Neil Young, David Crosby, and Steven Spielberg, among others. Geffen wasn't talented as an artist, but he was a genius at spotting talented musicians. Not only that, but he nurtured them in a unique way so that they could achieve greatness. Unlike the other record labels, he even gave them a fair deal! He was also a political power-broker who became disappointed with Bill Clinton's "don't-ask-don't-tell" Armed Services policy and then backed Obama against Hillary. Geffen's life story is truly incredible!
Inventing David Geffen: Amazing Life Story! (Documentary, Netflix)
Inventing David Geffen: Amazing Life Story! (Documentary, Netflix)
2021-09-27
David
80
8
Incredible Rise to the Top!
Great Interviews with Geffen and Folk Rock Stars!
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