Years ago I read in Billboard that Bob Dylan hired a 30 something guy named Jeff to be his manager. I wondered who this guy was and how he got such a great job? The article went on to say he previously worked with Elliot Roberts (Lookout Management – Neil Young). Around that time Blue Rodeo was hooked up with Gold Mountain Management, a corporate management company that farmed out mid level managers and upper level managers. Their roster included Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Cher, Beastie Boys, maybe 50 other big names. One of the partners was a guy named Ron Stone and I had a chance to meet him after our soundcheck in Vancouver. I read that Ron also worked with Elliot Roberts, so when we met I brought up the recent Dylan story and asked if he had any idea why Dylan hired him? He leaned in, “You wanna know why? I’ll tell you, it’s because Bob Dylan is a cheap fuck!” This was exciting, “Did you know Bob Dylan only pays him a salary!” He said salary like an especially vulgar swear. Threatened by an artist treating management as though they were employees instead of the other way around. I don’t think he was aware of the fact that his story only made me admire Dylan more.
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