David Braun (died January 28, 2013) was an American entertainment lawyer who was considered "one of the most powerful lawyers in the music industry during its heyday" by Variety.[1] He represented famous artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, George Harrison and Michael Jackson, and served as president of Polygram Records.[2]
David Braun | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | January 28, 2013 |
| Education | |
| Occupation |
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| Children | Lloyd Braun |
Biography edit
Braun was born in The Bronx as an only child.[3] He graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law School, obtaining a joint B.A. and J.D. degree in 1954. After law school, he joined the firm Pryor, Braun, Cashman & Sherman, where he represented writers, performers, producers and advertising agencies.[4]
Early in his career, he was introduced to Bob Dylan, and eventually came to represent musicians such as Neil Diamond, George Harrison, Michael Jackson, The Band, Peter, Paul & Mary and Judy Collins.[5] He became a close friend of Neil Diamond, who called him "one of the great figures in [his] life" during a 2008 awards ceremony hosted by the Grammy Foundation.[4]
He joined the firm Hardee, Barovick, Konecky & Braun in the 1970s and moved his practice from New York City to Beverly Hills, California, where he trained many of the music industry's most prominent attorneys.[6][7][8] He was also involved in the founding of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[9]
In 1981, he left law to become president and CEO of Polygram Records, and returned to law practice two years later.[4] In 1990, he joined Proskauer Rose as special counsel.[10]
Personal life and family edit
Braun died on January 28, 2013, at his home in Santa Barbara, California.[11] His son is Lloyd Braun, former chairman of ABC Entertainment and founder of Whalerock Industries.
References edit
- ^ Variety Staff (2013-01-29). "Music attorney David Braun dies at 81". Variety. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (2013-01-29). "David Braun, Renowned Music Lawyer and Former PolyGram CEO, Dies at 81". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (2013-01-29). "David Braun, Renowned Music Lawyer and Former PolyGram CEO, Dies at 81". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ a b c Barnes, Mike (2013-01-29). "Renowned Music Lawyer David Braun Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ Journal, A. B. A. "Lawyers, songs and money: Music that changed the law". ABA Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "How the King of Deals Resurrected the King of Pop's Estate | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Alumni Bios | Alumni and Giving | USC Gould School of Law". gould.usc.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "How a Music Superlawyer Goaded Michael Jackson Into 'Thriller'". 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ Boone, Brian (2020-02-26). "The Controversial History Of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame". Grunge.com. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "David A. Braun, a lawyer who briefly..." Los Angeles Times. 1990-07-10. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "DAVID BRAUN Obituary (2013) New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2022-01-27.