Danny Goldberg’s geniuses: Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and more

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Last week Paul Krassner reviewed ‘Bumping Into Geniuses: My Life Inside the Rock and Roll Business,’ Danny Goldberg’s memoir. Goldberg was a rock fan turned music journalist who eventually got a gig doing PR for Led Zeppelin (who agreed, today, to tour together again). He went on to found his own music management company, then run Atlantic Records, then run Warner Brothers Records, then run Mercury Records, and then leave to found Artemis Records. Krassner writes that his memoir ‘provides an insightful behind-the-scenes view of the music industry from 1969 through 2004.’

Goldberg had a gift for finding the right talent at the right time, and knowing what to do to help it connect with audiences. He took a mostly forgotten Bonnie Raitt and helped her win multiple Grammy Awards. He saw a scruffy band that was releasing records on a Seattle-based independent label and brought them to Atlantic, introducing mainstream America to Nirvana.

All of which is far more meaningful if you can hear, or watch, the performances of the musicians he championed. Which is why we’ve got a collection of videos of bands that worked with Danny Goldberg, after the jump.

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Photo of Led Zeppelin performing last year by p_a_h via Flickr.

Led Zeppelin performing ‘Dazed and Confused’ live in 1969.

Stevie Nicks performing ‘The Edge of Seventeen’ in the 1980s.

Warren Zevon’s music video for ‘Werewolves of London.’

Bonnie Raitt singing ‘Something to Talk About,’ her career-rejuvenating single.

Nirvana’s video for ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ featured the then-little-known band performing. And cheerleaders.

Kiss sings ‘Rock and Roll All Night’ in 1996.