Bob Lefsetz

Background

Lefsetz grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut and is a graduate of Middlebury College where he majored in art history. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. After earning his law degree from Southwestern Law School, Lefsetz worked as an entertainment business attorney, and briefly as head of Sanctuary Music's American division. He has worked as a consultant to major record labels. He is based in Santa Monica, California.

The Lefsetz Letter

The newsletter has tens of thousands of subscribers. From April 2013 through December 2015, Lefzets wrote a weekly column for Variety's weekly print edition and its website.

Themes explored

1. The diminishing role of the major record labels in current recorded music and corresponding increasing influence and importance of grassroots artist activities such as live performances and direct online relationships with fans.
2. The decline of CD sales as alternate online music services such as Spotify continue to flourish.
3. The prevalence of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing as the primary source of digital music distribution.
4. The need for a legitimate and licensed Peer-to-Peer or similar distribution service to facilitate the next working business model for the music industry.
5. Lefsetz's personal reflections on songs, songwriters, bands and industry insiders that have affected his unique and independent outlook of the music industry.
6. Lefsetz's personal observations on a wide range of topics, including reflections on his personal life.

Controversy

In 2007, Lefsetz and Kid Rock engaged in an email feud but have since reconciled.

In 2009, Lefsetz and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons exchanged insults via e-mail and in person at the Canadian Music Week conference, and they debated officially at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

In 2010, country pop crossover superstar Taylor Swift released a song titled Mean which is rumored to be about Lefsetz and his critical review about her performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards with rock and roll legend Stevie Nicks.