D A N N Y Z E L I S K O
Recounts His Legendary Career in His New Book
ALL EXCE$$ Occupation: Concert Promoter
Hundreds of remarkable photos and astonishing stories
Special Guest on
Interviewing the Legends with Ray Shasho
Danny Zelisko began promoting concerts in Arizona in 1974. He founded the legendary concert promoting firm called Evening Star Productions, that brought worldwide attention to the youngest state on the US mainland, by the entertainment industry. He became known as one of the world’s best promoters and talent buyers, a true rainmaker when it comes to discovering and booking talent in all sorts of situations.
Beginning with promoting concerts at Dooley’s Nightclub (700 capacity) in Tempe, Zelisko and his team promoted hundreds of new and veteran bands in facilities across the valley. Acts such as The Police, Cheap Trick, Pat Benatar, Talking Heads, KISS, Bon Jovi, No Doubt, and Nirvana (among many others) performed at the intimate venue from its opening in 1976, until it closed after several ownership and name changes (aka After the Gold Rush and Electric Ballroom) in the mid-1990′s. Nightclub concerts by recording stars began happening all over the country, with Zelisko leading his territory in this area of booking.
In the 1980′s Zelisko’s company and staff grew. He became the state’s most prominent concert promoter, producing hundreds of shows each year, while also becoming New Mexico’s busiest promoter. Evening Star also promoted shows in almost every state in the USA during the 80′s and 90′s, while promoting shows in every venue, small and large alike, all over the southwest, including Vets Memorial Coliseum, the original home of the Phoenix Suns, then America West Arena, now known as US Airways Center. Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney were among the stadium events promoted by Evening Star.
In 1990, Evening Star began promoting shows in the Desert Sky Amphitheatre, with its grand opening show with Billy Joel. The facility has undergone several name changes, including Blockbuster Pavilion, Cricket Amphitheatre, Ashley Furniture Homestore Pavilion, and finally now known as Ak-Chin Pavilion.
By the year 2000, consolidation of concert promoters began by SFX, as they bought up many of the country’s biggest promoters, including Bill Graham Presents from San Francisco, Electric Factory from Philadelphia, Don Law from Boston, Pace Concerts from Texas, and many more. Evening Star joined the ranks of these fabled promoters, by selling to SFX in 2001. Zelisko became President of the Southwest office of SFX. A few years later, Clear Channel Communications bought SFX, and Zelisko and his staff became part of Clear Channel Entertainment.
In 2006, Clear Channel spun the entertainment division and all of its promoters and venues into what is now called Live Nation, where Zelisko remained as President and then Chairman of Live Nation Southwest, until he left his post in 2011, to begin promoting shows as Danny Zelisko Presents.
Zelisko’s focus has always been on putting the right acts in the right places at the right time with the right ticket prices in order to maintain fun and excitement for audiences and artists alike. DZP continues to bring top name acts to the Phoenix area, as well as Las Vegas and Albuquerque.
Purchase
DANNY ZELISKO’S NEW BOOK
ALL EXCESS Occupation: Concert Promoter
by Danny Zelisko (Author), Tondra Dene (Editor), Kirk Gibson (Foreword)
Available at amazon.com
ALL EXCE$$ - OCCUPATION: CONCERT PROMOTER ---The new book by DANNY ZELISKO This is the 2nd edition of the original book. Landscape style layout makes it the perfect coffee table book. Making the book even more unique and valuable, it is signed by the author, Danny Z. Four years in the making, enjoy 360 pages bursting with stories and over 700 never before seen photos from Danny’s personal collection from over the years. The Foreword was written by baseball legend and live music fan Kirk Gibson. Pictures and stories feature Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, as well as Chicago Bears sports legends Brian Piccolo, (the subject of the movie Brian’s Song) Gale Sayers and The Cubs’ Ernie Banks, along with so many more! The book chronicles Danny’s childhood passion for collecting memorabilia and autographs, all the way through his rise to becoming Arizona’s premiere concert promoter. For a limited time, get your edition shipped to you in the classic White Castle crave clutch box, complete with coupons for free burgers, while supplies last.
Book Reviews …
Roger Waters: "I approve of your book. I particularly like the photo of you with the big box of cash after the Pseudo Floyd gig. Though the touching bit is the ’72 Chicago gig, Pat Leonard stuff. Nice!"
Joe Bonamassa: "Never a dull night hanging out with my friend Danny Zelisko and hearing classic music stories of the bands I grew up with. Looking forward to reading his book."
Rob Halford: "From Chuck Berry to Barbara Streisand to Whitney Houston as well as Judas Priest - Danny has worked with them all, And along the way witnessed huge moments not just in music but also our country’s history and culture. This book is one hell of a ride from a guy who’s had one hell of a life. With many moments to make, no doubt!"
Garland Jeffreys: "Just got my copy and it's filled with hilarious hijinks and behind the scenes tales that only a brilliant promoter and story teller like Danny could tell. Sample chapters include "Sam Kinison Guilty as Charged: I was a bad influence on THIS guy?" "Working with Pink Floyd - I Know Which One's Pink" "When a Deal is not a Deal - Lessons in Being Fair." Danny is one of the people who really knows how to make the music business fun and his love for artists has always made me love him in return. Get your copy now!"
David Ellefson: "So proud of my dear friend and legendary Arizona concert promoter Danny Zelisko as he releases his memoir "All Excess". Danny has promoted most every Megadeth show in the area since the "Peace Sells..." tour in 1987. Order a copy now and savor some killer stories of the concert business harkening back to when the independents ruled the roost. I'm proud to be a part of his story."
Bill Siddons: "When I saw $40 I thought “Is he nuts.” Then the book showed yesterday and we saw the scope, the magnitude, the accessories (I love the bookmark) I realized ‘it’s all worth it." Elayne saw it and said “I want to use those ideas for my book!” Well done Danny!
Larry LeBlanc, Celebrity Access: "Zelisko’s most recent project is the 4-year birthing of his 364-page book, “ALL EXCE$$ — Occupation: Concert Promoter,” maybe the best single book ever written about America’s concert business; it’s a damn fun first read, and a fascinating second read."
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