Lee Leipsner
This was a KISS dinner during my Mercury Records years with WAVA/Washington, DC. I was so stoked because they were my heroes. I was a member of the KISS army in the 70s. After the dinner we had a 4-hour ride to Norfolk for more promo the next day. We weren’t going to get in until 3am. Image my horror, when I got into the back of the limo for the long ride, and Gene and Paul said,” What are you doing? You don’t ride in the back with us. You ride up front with the driver.” They slept like babies while I still have back problems today from being curled up in front.
Backstage with the late great Jerry Blair and Bob Burke at Z100’s “Jingle Ball” in 1994. It was my first year doing pop promotion for Columbia Records in New York and learning from Jerry who was an innovator and mentor. I truly miss him.
A charity softball game with Garth Brooks at Star 94/Atlanta with Brian Rhodes in 1995. Garth was the biggest star there, but you would never know by how humble and approachable he was. I became a fan that day.
Playin’ ball in St. Louis during the crazy Home Run Derby era with St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark McGwire and Chicago Cubs’ Sammy Sosa in 1997. This was a week before Mark broke the record and he also hit one out of the park on this day. It was amazing even though Steven Tyler knew nothing about baseball! (l-r): Me, Rich Stevens, Mark, Jeff Kapugi, and Steven.
One Direction album release party in 2013 at the iHeart theatre in LA. I’m glad I have a picture all 5! lol Truly amazing from the start, Beatlemania-esque fan fair everywhere. Had a true a global impact. Felt it from the first time seeing them in Chicago, opening for Big Time Rush. Proud to have worked an incredible body of work for 6 great years.
Lee Leipsner: Backstage at Beyonce & Jay Z’s “On the Run” tour in Atlanta in 2014. All hail the Queen, truly one of the most creative, artistic, and influential artists that I’ve ever worked with in my career.
Columbia Records legend Barbara Streisand at Sirius XM for her exclusive Town Hall to celebrate the release of her new duets’ album, ‘Partners’ in 2014. Meeting Barbara made Janet Leipsner (my mother) very proud! (l-r): Partners Executive Producer Jay Landers, Joel Klaiman, Barbara, and Me.
Elvis Duran’s breakfast conversation with Adele, Live at Joe’s Pub in NYC in 2015. It’s Adele, what else can you say?!?!
Charlie Watts… LEGEND! My favorite Stone. I met him in 2015 at Texas Stadium in Dallas. He was the best backbeat drummer in rock and roll. Charlie and I had a cup of tea and talked about jazz in his dressing room. (I don’t even like tea!)
It’s Joe Buck & Troy Aikman. The #1 broadcasting team in football. This was in the booth at the Redskins/Packers game in DC in 2017. Great friends who are now going to be the voice of Monday Night Football. Hey boys, don’t forget me when you sign the new contract! $$$
Erik Bradley: Harry Styles backstage at We Can Survive at the Hollywood Bowl in 2017. Harry killed it! He is also one of the most gifted, kindest, smartest, and most creative artists who I became close with. I had no doubt he was destined for greatness and world domination.
Backstage with longtime friends Elvis Duran and Bob Burke at Q102 Jingle Ball 2018 in Philly.
Calvin Harris at Jingle Ball in NYC in 2018. Calvin was kind enough to do the Jingle Ball run and killed it every night! He’s a true innovator, collaborator, and hitmaker.
