Jeff Blue: Difference between revisions
BackGramma (talk | contribs) updated infobox with current website address, old one is a redirect. |
Removing false information - Wakefield left the band and was never fired. Linkin Park never signed with Zomba. This section reads like Blue cured cancer. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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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 Department, 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. |
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 Department, 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. He also pursued a career in acting which led to him featuring in many national television commercials while working for Schwartz.{{fact}} |
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Blue joined [[Zomba Label Group|Zomba Music Publishing]] in 1995 and became the label's vice president of [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]].<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 also began teaching classes at UCLA and met [[Brad Delson]], whom he hired as an intern. Blue took interest in Delson's band, Xero, which would become [[Linkin Park]]. Blue played a pivotal role in Linkin Park's 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> and upon joining [[Warner Bros. Records]], helped the band sign a record deal in 1999.<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> |
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[[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. |
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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 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 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.{{fact}} |
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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. |
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. |
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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. |
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.{{fact}} |
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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". |
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.{{fact}} 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". |
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Blue created Jeff Blue Music and Century Park Entertainment in 2009 and the company has yielded |
Blue created Jeff Blue Music and Century Park Entertainment in 2009 and the company has yielded four 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, dubstep 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) |
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In 2012 Blue signed, co-wrote, and developed WERM after discovering the band on [[Music Xray]] |
In 2012 Blue signed, co-wrote, and developed WERM after discovering the band on [[Music Xray]].{{fact}} In 2020, Blue released, ''One Step Closer, From Xero to #1; Becoming Linkin Park'', a book detailing his early work with Linkin Park. His docu-series on the history of A&R is scheduled for release in 2022. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 04:23, 26 February 2023
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Jeffrey Blue | |
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| Born | November 21, 1967 |
| Origin | Los Angeles |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) | |
| Labels | |
| Website | jeffbluemedia |
Jeffrey Blue (born November 21, 1967) is a multi-platinum record producer, A&R executive, songwriter, lawyer and best-selling author 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, nurturing, teaching, 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's Queen of the Damned soundtrack, he has written hit singles for artists such as Hoobastank, Syndicate, and The Last Goodnight.
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 Department, 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. He also pursued a career in acting which led to him featuring in many national television commercials while working for Schwartz.[citation needed]
Blue joined Zomba Music Publishing in 1995 and became the label's vice president of A&R.[1] He also began teaching classes at UCLA and met Brad Delson, whom he hired as an intern. Blue took interest in Delson's band, Xero, which would become Linkin Park. Blue played a pivotal role in Linkin Park's history. He helped the band find vocalist Chester Bennington,[2] and upon joining Warner Bros. Records, helped the band sign a record deal in 1999.[3]
Blue also developed and co-wrote with Macy Gray.[3] 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.[citation needed]
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.
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed] 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".
Blue created Jeff Blue Music and Century Park Entertainment in 2009 and the company has yielded four 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, dubstep 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.[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. His docu-series on the history of A&R is scheduled for release in 2022.
References
- Mean, Jean-Francois. Jeff Blue - A&R at Warner Bros, CA:, hitquarters.com. Retrieved on August 20, 2007.
- Rolling Stone Magazine, 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. [1]
- Variety, Linkin Park looks back at their early days as Hybrid Theory [2]
- BMI, From Jeff Blue, the artist is King
External links
- Jeff Blue Music Official Website
- Jeff Blue @ IMDB.com
- Jeff Blue @ MSN Music
- Jeff Blue @ Artist Direct
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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- ^ Perez Hollingsworth, Ashley (2021-02-16). "Interview: Jeff Blue Reflects On The Struggles, Frustrations, And Joys Of Working With Linkin Park". Genre Is Dead. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.