Overview
- He died Dec. 29 at his Santa Ynez, California, home with family present, and no cause of death was disclosed.
- Family statements from sons Josh and Nick praised his fierce advocacy, versatility in negotiations, and mentorship.
- He managed George Michael at the height of the singer’s solo career and later returned to the role in the mid-2000s, and he worked with David Bowie during the Ziggy Stardust period.
- He pushed industry boundaries by representing producers and songwriters including Bernie Taupin, secured Melissa Manchester’s two-song Oscars performance in 1980, and helped pair Rob Thomas with Carlos Santana for Smooth.
- His career began with lawyer Marvin Mitchelson, moved through Columbia Pictures’ soundtracks and Arista’s West Coast operations under Clive Davis, and for the past two decades he partnered with his son Nick at Lippman Entertainment.