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[[File:JBlue.jpg|thumb|Jeff Blue being interviewed by Forbes Magazine in 2020.]]
{{Multiple issues|{{Notability|Music|date=July 2012}}
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{{BLP sources|date=December 2010}}
{{advert|date=July 2012}}
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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Jeffrey Blue
| name = Jeffrey Blue
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption = Blue in 2020
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| alias =
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* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
* [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
}}
}}
| website = {{URL|https://jeffbluemusic.com}}
| website = {{URL|https://jeffbluemedia.com}}
}}
}}
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'''Jeffrey Blue''' (born November 21, 1967) is a [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] executive, record-producer, and songwriter who is currently an A&R consultant for [[Atlantic Records]]. He has worked as the Senior Vice President of A&R and staff producer for [[Warner Bros. Records]], [[Interscope Records]], [[Virgin Records]], [[Capitol Records]], [[Sony BMG]], [[Jive Records]], [[RCA Records]], and [[J Records]]. He specializes in discovering, developing, and signing unsigned artists. Blue most notably discovered [[Linkin Park]], [[Macy Gray]], [[Daniel Powter]], and [[The Last Goodnight]]. In addition to signing [[Limp Bizkit]] and [[Korn]] to publishing deals, he has also written singles for artists such as [[Hoobastank]], Syndicate, and The Last Goodnight.
[[File:One Step Closer.webp|thumb|294x294px|Jeff Blue's bestselling book, "One Step Closer, From Xero to becoming Linkin Park."]]
⚫
'''Jeff Blue''' (born November 21, 1967) is a multi-platinum record producer, [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] executive, songwriter, lawyer and best selling author who is currently an A&R consultant for [[Atlantic Records]]. He has worked as Senior Vice President of A&R and staff producer for [[Warner Bros. Records]], [[Interscope Records]], [[Virgin Records]], [[Capitol Records]], [[Sony BMG]], [[Jive Records]], [[RCA Records]], and [[J Records]]. He specializes in discovering, developing, & signing unsigned artists most notably [[Linkin Park]], [[Macy Gray]], [[Daniel Powter]], and [[The Last Goodnight]]. In addition to signing [[Limp Bizkit]] and [[Korn]] to publishing deals, and executive producing and music supervising [[Aaliyah|Aaliyah's]] ''Queen of the Damned'' soundtrack, he has written hit singles for artists such as [[Hoobastank]], Syndicate, and The Last Goodnight.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Blue graduated from the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) and [[Loyola Law School]] in Los Angeles. He was a Communications Major focusing on Media Law and interning for [[Harvey Levin]] in the CBS TV News Dept, reporting on legal issues. After passing the Bar, Blue worked as a music journalist for Billboard, HITS and Entertainment Weekly, and eventually published his own magazine, Crossroads, which focused on discovering unsigned artists while he simultaneously managed, produced, and played drums in two signed major label bands while also working as an attorney for the law offices of Ross Schwartz. During this time he also pursued a career in acting which led to him featuring in many national television commercials.
Blue attended the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA), where he studied Communications focusing on Media Law.<ref name="hitq">{{cite news |last=Mean |first=Jean-Francois |url=http://www.aandronline.com/reading-room/jeff_blue.html |title=Jeff Blue - VP of A&R at Warner Bros, CA. |work=[[HitQuarters]] |date=2002-02-10 |accessdate=2023-02-26 |archive-date=February 10, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020210193248/http://www.aandronline.com/reading-room/jeff_blue.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Blue played drums while in college.<ref name="hitq"/> He interned for the local CBS TV News Department.<ref name="hitq"/> Blue then attended [[Loyola Law School]] in [[Los Angeles]] to pursue a career as an attorney.<ref name="hitq"/> Blue passed the [[bar exam]] and found work as a lawyer, but lost passion for the profession.<ref name="hitq"/> Blue became a music journalist for ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', HITS, and ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', and eventually published his own magazine, ''Crossroads'', which focused on discovering unsigned artists.<ref name="hitq"/> He also pursued a career in acting and appeared in television commercials.<ref name="hitq"/>


Blue joined [[Zomba Label Group|Zomba Music Publishing]] in 1995 and became the label's vice president of [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] while also teaching classes at UCLA.<ref name="jeff">{{cite news |last=Perez Hollingsworth |first=Ashley |url=https://genreisdead.com/jeff-blue-linkin-park-interview/ |title=Interview: Jeff Blue Reflects On The Struggles, Frustrations, And Joys Of Working With Linkin Park |work=Genre Is Dead |date=2021-02-16 |accessdate=2022-12-06 }}</ref> He met [[Brad Delson]] at UCLA, then a student, who became his intern.<ref name="jeff"/> Blue mentored Delson and took interest in his band, [[Linkin Park]], which he had just cofounded with [[Mike Shinoda]]. Blue played a pivotal role in Linkin Park's early history. He helped the band find vocalist [[Chester Bennington]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Morton |first=Luke |url=https://www.kerrang.com/chester-bennington-left-his-own-birthday-party-to-record-linkin-parks-lost-track-pictureboard |title=Chester Bennington Left His Own Birthday Party To Record Linkin Park's Lost Track, Pictureboard |work=Kerrang! |date=October 9, 2020 |accessdate=December 31, 2021 }}</ref> After Blue left Zomba and joined [[Warner Records]], he signed Linkin Park to their first record deal.<ref name="rolling">{{cite news |last=David |first=Fricke |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/linkin-park-david-fricke-talks-to-chester-bennington-about-hybrid-theory-success-67820/2/ |title=Linkin Park: David Fricke Talks to Chester Bennington About ‘Hybrid Theory’ Success |work=Rolling Stone |date=March 14, 2002 |access-date=December 5, 2022 }}</ref>
[[Zomba Label Group|Zomba Music Publishing]] was impressed by Blue's versatility, and hired him to do A&R in 1995. During his career with Zomba, Blue taught "Songwriting" and "Artist Development" classes at UCLA. Blue met student [[Brad Delson]] and hired him as his intern. Blue saw promise in Delson and his bandmate Mike Shinoda and signed their band, Xero, to a publishing deal on the night of their first performance. After developing Xero for two years, Blue decided to let go of the band’s lead singer, and a few months later, discovered a vocalist from Arizona named [[Chester Bennington]]. The band brought on Bennington as their new singer and changed the name to Hybrid Theory. Blue showcased them forty-four times. Unable to get them a deal, Blue negotiated his employment contract with Warner Bros. Records to include the signing of Linkin Park. Months later, they released their debut album, ''[[Hybrid Theory]]'', which became the best selling debut album of the 21st century.


Blue also developed and co-wrote with [[Macy Gray]]. After recording Gray's demos, Blue secured a deal for the artist with [[Epic Records]] and which led to him co-writing the top ten hit "Still" for Gray. During this time Blue also signed rock bands [[Korn]] and [[Limp Bizkit]] to publishing deals. Blue's discoveries and signings have helped shape popular culture for the last 20 years.
Blue also developed and co-wrote with [[Macy Gray]].<ref name="rolling"/> After recording Gray's demos, Blue secured a deal for the artist with [[Epic Records]] and led to him co-writing the top-10 hit "Still" for Gray.{{fact|date=February 2023}} During this time Blue also signed rock bands [[Korn]] and [[Limp Bizkit]] to publishing deals.<ref name="forbes">{{cite news |last=Llopis |first=Glenn |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2020/12/04/authenticity-fuels-greatness-4-lessons-from-jeff-blue-and-linkin-parks-hybrid-theory/?sh=4675bc1b6245 |title=Authenticity Fuels Greatness: 4 Lessons From Jeff Blue And Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid Theory’ |work=Forbes |date=2020-12-04 |accessdate=2023-02-26 }}</ref>


Beyond A&R, He has directly collaborated with artists to write and produce music. Blue wrote [[Hoobastank]]'s "So Close, So Far", while also producing [[Better Than Ezra]]'s album ''Before the Robots''.<ref name="bmi">{{cite news |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/for_jeff_blue_the_artist_is_king |title=For Jeff Blue, the Artist is King |work=BMI |date=2009-10-02 |accessdate=2023-02-26 }}</ref> He was also the executive producer for ''[[Queen of the Damned|Queen of the Damned's]]'' [[Queen of the Damned: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack]].<ref name="bmi"/> In 2007, Blue collaborated with [[The Last Goodnight]] to co-write the song ''Pictures of You'', which won a BMI Pop Award.<ref name="bmi"/> He also performed all the drums and percussion on the band's debut album, ''[[Poison Kiss]]''.<ref name="bmi"/> In 2008 he developed, co-wrote, and co-produced the debut album for Steadlür.{{fact|date=February 2023}}
Blue personally signed as a writer to Warner Chappell Music Publishing and in addition to signing [[Linkin Park]] he worked, signed and developed and wrote for releases such as ''[[Queen of the Damned]]'' soundtrack, ''Beautiful Creatures'', several compilations, and co-developed the artist Daniel Powter.


In 2012 Blue signed, co-wrote, and developed WERM after discovering the band on [[Music Xray]].{{fact|date=February 2023}} In 2020, Blue released, ''One Step Closer, From Xero to #1; Becoming Linkin Park'', a book detailing his early work with Linkin Park.<ref name="forbes"/> He also worked on a docu-series covering history of A&R.<ref name="highwire">{{cite news |last=Oken |first=Ashley |url=https://highwire-magazine.com/2021/03/07/multi-platinum-producer-and-author-jeff-blue-on-his-new-book-one-step-closer-linkin-park-and-going-after-your-dreams/ |title=Multi-platinum producer and author Jeff Blue on his new book |work=Highwire Magazine |date=2021-03-07 |accessdate=2023-02-26 }}</ref>
Blue co-produced the 2005 [[Better than Ezra]] album, "Before the Robots" which spawned two top ten singles. In 2008 he developed, co-wrote, and co-produced the debut album for Roadrunner artist, Steadlur.


⚫
==References==
Blue is currently signed as a songwriter to BMG Music Publishing, formerly at Universal Music Publishing where he co-wrote the 2009 hit single "So Close, So Far" for multi-Platinum artist Hoobastank. Blue won a BMI Award for his songwriting on "Pictures of You" for The Last Goodnight. He additionally produced, A&R'd, and performed all the drums and percussion on the Virgin Records album which also spawned Australia's #1 song of the year, and "Stay Beautiful".
{{reflist}}


Blue created Jeff Blue Music and Century Park Entertainment in 2009 and the company has yielded 4 major label signings in its first three years, focusing on developing talent and teaming with Major Labels in the furthering of the artists career. The company focuses on all genres including rock, country, hard rock, alternative, indie, pop, r&b, dub step and electronic. His first signing was Emphatic which he immediately secured a major label deal for with Atlantic Records. Blue was Exec. Producer, co-writer, co-manager, and co- A&R. His song "Put Down the Drink" hit #1 for 3 weeks on Sirius Octane. Then Syndicate to Sony AUS, and Shoreline's End to Island Def Jam/Mercury. In addition, Blue Developed writers [[Shawn Hlookoff]] (EMI), Jared Lee (Universal)

In 2012 Blue signed, co-wrote, and developed WERM after discovering the band on [[Music Xray]], creating a unique{{cn|date=March 2022}} blend of rock, dubstep, house, electronic, and alternative music. Three months after its creation, Blue signed the band to Universal Republic/Jeff Blue Music. In 2020 [[Simon & Schuster]] published, ''One Step Closer, From Xero to #1; Becoming Linkin Park'', written by Blue. His docu-series on the history of A&R is scheduled for release in 2022.

⚫
==References==
{{refbegin}}
* Mean, Jean-Francois. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101119085641/http://www.aandronline.com/reading-room/jeff_blue.html Jeff Blue - A&R at Warner Bros, CA:], ''hitquarters.com''. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.
* ''[[Rolling Stone Magazine]]'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20140723012841/http://www.lptimes.com/bio/bio_band.html Linkin Park - Biography] (March 14, 2002), ''The Linkin Park Times'', Retrieved on June 24, 2007. (http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/last_goodnight/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd) (https://web.archive.org/web/20111102203310/http://www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/on_and_up/) (http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1999/07/26/1999_07_26_040_TNY_LIBRY_000018699)
*[[Forbes Magazine]], Authenticity Fuels Greatness... 4 Lessons from Jeff Blue and Linkin Park, Glenn Llopis. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2020/12/04/authenticity-fuels-greatness-4-lessons-from-jeff-blue-and-linkin-parks-hybrid-theory/?sh=4675bc1b6245]
*[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]], Linkin Park looks back at their early days as Hybrid Theory [https://variety.com/2020/music/news/linkin-park-hybrid-theory-early-days-1234799442/]
*[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]], From Jeff Blue, the artist is King
[[https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/for_jeff_blue_the_artist_is_king]]{{refend}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.jeffbluemusic.com/ Jeff Blue Music Official Website]
* [http://www.jeffbluemusic.com/ Jeff Blue Music Official Website]
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2092638/ Jeff Blue @ IMDB.com]
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2092638/ Jeff Blue @ IMDB.com]

* [https://archive.today/20130129111551/http://music.msn.com/artist/?artist=16565421 Jeff Blue @ MSN Music]
* [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/card/0,,1735622,00.html Jeff Blue @ Artist Direct]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Latest revision as of 15:39, 24 September 2023

Jeffrey Blue
Born (1967-11-21) November 21, 1967 (age 56)
OriginLos Angeles
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • A&R executive
  • songwriter
  • lawyer
  • author
  • music supervisor
Instrument(s)
Labels
Websitejeffbluemedia.com

Jeffrey Blue (born November 21, 1967) is a A&R executive, record-producer, and songwriter who is currently an A&R consultant for Atlantic Records. He has worked as the Senior Vice President of A&R and staff producer for Warner Bros. Records, Interscope Records, Virgin Records, Capitol Records, Sony BMG, Jive Records, RCA Records, and J Records. He specializes in discovering, developing, and signing unsigned artists. Blue most notably discovered Linkin Park, Macy Gray, Daniel Powter, and The Last Goodnight. In addition to signing Limp Bizkit and Korn to publishing deals, he has also written singles for artists such as Hoobastank, Syndicate, and The Last Goodnight.

Biography[edit]

Blue attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied Communications focusing on Media Law.[1] Blue played drums while in college.[1] He interned for the local CBS TV News Department.[1] Blue then attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles to pursue a career as an attorney.[1] Blue passed the bar exam and found work as a lawyer, but lost passion for the profession.[1] Blue became a music journalist for Billboard, HITS, and Entertainment Weekly, and eventually published his own magazine, Crossroads, which focused on discovering unsigned artists.[1] He also pursued a career in acting and appeared in television commercials.[1]

Blue joined Zomba Music Publishing in 1995 and became the label's vice president of A&R while also teaching classes at UCLA.[2] He met Brad Delson at UCLA, then a student, who became his intern.[2] Blue mentored Delson and took interest in his band, Linkin Park, which he had just cofounded with Mike Shinoda. Blue played a pivotal role in Linkin Park's early history. He helped the band find vocalist Chester Bennington.[3] After Blue left Zomba and joined Warner Records, he signed Linkin Park to their first record deal.[4]

Blue also developed and co-wrote with Macy Gray.[4] After recording Gray's demos, Blue secured a deal for the artist with Epic Records and led to him co-writing the top-10 hit "Still" for Gray.[citation needed] During this time Blue also signed rock bands Korn and Limp Bizkit to publishing deals.[5]

Beyond A&R, He has directly collaborated with artists to write and produce music. Blue wrote Hoobastank's "So Close, So Far", while also producing Better Than Ezra's album Before the Robots.[6] He was also the executive producer for Queen of the Damned's soundtrack.[6] In 2007, Blue collaborated with The Last Goodnight to co-write the song Pictures of You, which won a BMI Pop Award.[6] He also performed all the drums and percussion on the band's debut album, Poison Kiss.[6] In 2008 he developed, co-wrote, and co-produced the debut album for Steadlür.[citation needed]

In 2012 Blue signed, co-wrote, and developed WERM after discovering the band on Music Xray.[citation needed] In 2020, Blue released, One Step Closer, From Xero to #1; Becoming Linkin Park, a book detailing his early work with Linkin Park.[5] He also worked on a docu-series covering history of A&R.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Mean, Jean-Francois (February 10, 2002). "Jeff Blue - VP of A&R at Warner Bros, CA". HitQuarters. Archived from the original on February 10, 2002. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Perez Hollingsworth, Ashley (February 16, 2021). "Interview: Jeff Blue Reflects On The Struggles, Frustrations, And Joys Of Working With Linkin Park". Genre Is Dead. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  3. ^ Morton, Luke (October 9, 2020). "Chester Bennington Left His Own Birthday Party To Record Linkin Park's Lost Track, Pictureboard". Kerrang!. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b David, Fricke (March 14, 2002). "Linkin Park: David Fricke Talks to Chester Bennington About 'Hybrid Theory' Success". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Llopis, Glenn (December 4, 2020). "Authenticity Fuels Greatness: 4 Lessons From Jeff Blue And Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory'". Forbes. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d "For Jeff Blue, the Artist is King". BMI. October 2, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Oken, Ashley (March 7, 2021). "Multi-platinum producer and author Jeff Blue on his new book". Highwire Magazine. Retrieved February 26, 2023.

External links[edit]


Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeff_Blue&oldid=1176879925"