Listen Out Loud: A Life In Music--Managing Mccartney, Madonna, And Michael Jackson

by Ron Weisner

Even hardcore music fans don’t know the name Ron Weisner . . . but they should. A high-powered manager for over four decades, Ron worked alongside Madonna, Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Gladys Knight, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, and, most notably, Michael Jackson. He saw the King of Pop through his game-changing multi-platinum albums Thriller and Off the Wall . He watched M.J.'s prickly father Joe run roughshod over both his son and industry execs. He fought back as the industry tried to steer Jackson in a musical direction that would have derailed his career. And he saw Michael suffer through devastating press coverage that turned the troubled singer's world upside down.
 Featuring an introduction from Quincy Jones and commentary from Winwood, Knight, and some behind-the-scenes record label power brokers, Weisner's illuminating memoir Listen Out Loud underscores the destructive changes to the industry during his forty-year career, including the shift in focus from artistic integrity to the pursuit of cold hard numbers. It's an intimate glimpse into the music world from a man with a keen eye, sharp ears, and a big heart.

Genres: Music, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 3, 2014

Reviews

[Mme Forte · Rating 2 out of 5]

3 stars for dishing a little on the celebrities he's known and worked with. Major deduction, though, for lousy editing and an apparent absence of any fact checking whatsoever. Too many grammatical, syntactical, and proofreading errors had me re-reading passages because I'd misunderstood them the first time through. But what was really inexcusable was Mr. Weisner's assertion that Michael Jackson's videos appeared on MTV in 1980. This is impossible, because MTV premiered on August 1, 1981. Anybody can make a mistake, or mis-remember something, but letting an error that egregious get into print is a sign that nobody cared enough to check facts -- unless they only checked the ones that might get them sued.

[j · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring af

[Brendan Keene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome book. The best chapters are by far the ones about the Jackson 5 and Michael. Highly recommended for anyone in the music industry/business or someone who loves music!

Ron is a legend!

[Petula Darling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Running a quick fact-check would have done this book a world of good. I found numerous easily-disproven statements in the first chapter I read. It makes me wonder if any of the info is accurate.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read. I learnt some insight into the artists and how the business works from this book. How the business has changed too. Ron often repeats his philosophy of working for the artist and the music, helping all he can. His hard work and adaptation when things changed gave him an interesting career path. Although you don't get too close to his personal life.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddly, despite Weisner's credentials as a record company exec and manager (not everyone could get Gladys Knight to write a forward, I suspect), he doesn't have a Wikipedia page. This makes me wonder if actually he's a bit more of a minor player than he would lead us to believe. But the stories are great and ring true. Very entertaining.

[Timothy Neesam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Music manager provides a birds eye view of his career managing artists both low and high in profile, including Gladys Knight, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Paul McCartney, and some surprises, like Sha Na Na (remember Sha Na Na). The book covers several decades and much of the book focuses on how different artists shift shift in focus from artistic integrity to the pursuit of cold hard cash. Weisner has an appreciation for people who work hard, are honest and up front. Weisner knew Michael Jackson from his early days until his death and provides and interesting view of Jackson's decline. And he's merciless in describing his dealings with Joe Jackson (Michael's father) and Madonna. I found the afterward interesting, where Weisner reveals his concert-related work usually mean he had to be armed or with security (or both), and had to use a gun on more than one occasion. The guy has had quite a life.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading book with some interesting details about the music business. Great photos.

Ron Weisner is a legend in the music industry. He presents a somewhat balanced picture of his efforts by using quotes from the famous names he has worked with throughout several decades. He mentioned numerous times that he isn't ego driven, and presents his opinion as to why that is the case. I do find it suspect however, that he feels he needs to tell us multiple that he isn't egotistical.

I received this book via a Goodreads.com giveaway.

[Elizabeth Hildenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening out loud was very interesting.

This book was very interesting insight on both sides of the music biz. if you love to learn about the craziness of the music's industry I highly recommend this book. Also check out the book from Clive Davis.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weisner's fairly diplomatic about the people he's worked with - a fun read.

[Bill McBreen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most self-involved author ever?

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Insider view of old music industry. Poorly written book...the interview at the end was the best part.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but slow at times