Styx sets sights on upcoming concert events

Styx

Where: Humphreys Concerts By The Bay in San Diego, CA on Nov. 7; Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ on Nov. 8; Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ on Saturday, Nov. 9; the band will also perform a string of shows at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Jan. 24 - Feb. 1, 2025

Learn more: styxworld.com.

Styx is currently on tour, with upcoming dates set for California,
Arizona and Nevada. Photo credit: Jason Powell

Styx is one of the great classic rock bands that continues to inspire audiences with powerful live performances and via compelling new studio albums — notably 2017's The Mission and 2021's Crash of the Crown.

Styx singer-keyboardist Lawrence Gowan recently chatted with me about the band's continuing success and connection with their dedicated audience.

"It's very evident and authentic when you see how much we love what we do," said Gowan, noting rock music is the "greatest form of entertainment I've come across."

"It's a thing that bonds us as people. As you get older you get to appreciate what a fantastic experience it is. Now it comes down to enjoying the moment. Look, it's a band of extroverts; we have no qualms about expressing how good we feel."

Styx has several upcoming concert dates in Arizona and Southern California over the next week, and the band has also announced a string of special performances featuring the 1977 masterwork The Grand Illusion in its entirety at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Jan. 24 - Feb. 1, 2025. All of these live events will showcase the top-tier talents of Glasgow, Scotland native Gowan as well as James "JY Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars), and Terry Gowan (bass, guitar vocals). 

There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into each concert. Indeed, Gowan explained that there are two hours of warm-ups by the band before they take the stage, including the hour leading up to taking the stage when the members do vocal warm-ups to "get voices chiming together." Indeed, sumptuous harmonies are a major part of the Styx sound.

"We step on stage — there is our actual age and our stage age. The minute we step out there, we're living our 15-year-old dreams. We enjoy it that much. I feel 20 years old when I am on stage. It's such an inspiring place to be on stage.

Gowan noted that part of what makes Styx so special is how the band's music is a rich hybrid of rock, classical and pop — "a broad palette" that has a singular sound of its own.

During our interview I noted how impressed I was with the band's two most recent albums; indeed The Mission was one of the best album releases of 2017 and Crash of the Crown landed as one of my favorite new discs of 2021.

"We are so proud of those records," Gowan explained. "We made these records to intentionally connect with the classic rock era." 

Indeed, the studio albums were recorded on tape with 24-track machines, and with the members of Styx performing in the studio together.

"People of all ages have embraced the sound of classic rock; the only way to achieve that is with the old clunky analog machines."

Gowan noted that at every concert about a half of the attendees are under the ago of 40, and of those, 75 percent are under the age of 30.

"The music has crossed generations and they have embraced it."

Fans of Styx have hopes that the band's run that began at the dawn of the 1970s continues far into the future.

"Honestly, anything beyond the age of 35, you have to really thank the universe for dropping this in our lap," Gowan said. "Last week I saw Jeff Lynne; he was so good, why wouldn't (you not continue to perform) at that level?" 

Robert Kinsler

The Cure release new album "Songs Of A Lost World"

The Cure's long-awaited new album "Songs Of A Lost World" is out today! Get all the details below...Robert Kinsler

THE CURE   SONGS OF A LOST WORLD THE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN SIXTEEN YEARS OUT NOW   FULL LIVE SHOW STREAM FROM TROXY TONIGHT SHOW OF A LOST WORLD THE CURE LIVE AT TROXY

ROLLING STONE**** ‘The best Cure album since Disintegration” STEREOGUM - “Songs Of A Lost World is a triumph of craft and feeling.” NME ***** ‘A masterful reflection on loss’ UNCUT 9/10 ‘An immersive, graceful beauty’ THE OBSERVER **** ‘Full of fight and electricity, with melodies to spare’ MOJO **** ‘The same concentrated intensity as Disintegration’   ‘SONGS OF A LOST WORLD’ AVAILABLE NOW VIA FICTION/CAPITOL RECORDS https://thecure.lnk.to/SongsOfALostWorld     THE CURE’s long-awaited, critically acclaimed new album, SONGS OF A LOST WORLD, their first new release in 16 years, is out now via Fiction/Capitol Records.   The band will be performing their only scheduled show of the year tonight, Nov. 1, at Troxy in London, which will be live streamed on The Cure’s YouTube page Show Of A Lost World The Cure Live At Troxy beginning at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST.   Tomorrow night, BBC2 will air a special evening of Cure programming to celebrate the release of SONGS OF A LOST WORLD.    Initially formed in 1978, The Cure has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, headlined the Glastonbury festival four times and been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. They are considered to be one of the most influential bands to ever come out of the UK.   SONGS OF A LOST WORLD was written and arranged by Robert Smith, produced and mixed by Robert Smith & Paul Corkett and performed by The Cure - Robert Smith: Voice / guitar / 6string bass / keyboard, Simon Gallup: Bass, Jason Cooper: Drums / percussion, Roger O'Donnell: Keyboard, Reeves Gabrels: Guitar. The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales.   Robert Smith created the sleeve concept, and Andy Vella, a long-time Cure collaborator, handled the album's art and design. The cover art features 'Bagatelle', a 1975 sculpture by Janez Pirnat.     THE CURE SONGS OF A LOST WORLD https://thecure.lnk.to/SongsOfALostWorld   1LP, 2LP, MARBLE VINYL, WHITE VINYL, CASSETTE, DUAL CASSETTE CD, DELUXE CD/BLU-RAY WITH ATMOS MIX & DIGITAL   www.thecure.com http://www.songsofalost.world/

Jeff Lynne's ELO Delivers Stellar Final U.S. Performance in Phoenix

Jeff Lynne performing at Footprint Center in
Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 29.
Photo credit: Footprint Center (@FootprintCNTR)

Jeff Lynne's ELO, Rooney

Where: Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona

When: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Next: Jeff Lynne's ELO is scheduled to perform several dates in England in July 2025. Learn more HERE.

Jeff Lynne's ELO brought their aptly-pegged "Over and Out" North American Tour to a dramatic close at a packed Fingerprint Center in Phoenix last night (Oct. 29, 2024). Although the orchestral pop-rock ensemble is scheduled to perform in England next summer, Lynne and company closed out their high-profile U.S. tour that began back on Aug. 24 in Palm Desert, CA with the highly-anticipated Arizona date.

For those like yours truly who made the long trek to the Valley of the Sun, catching this historic concert was definitely well worth the effort. Since Jeff Lynne's ELO was launched in 2014 — a welcome return of the iconic songcraft and symphony-styled rock approach forged by Lynne with Electric Light Orchestra from 1970 to 1986 — there has been universal praise of this latest chapter in Lynne's wide-ranging career as a successful singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. 

From left, Iain Horns, Jeff Lynne and Mike
Stevens on Oct. 29, 2024.
Photo credit: Footprint Center (@FootprintCNTR)

The Oct. 29 concert featured Lynne with a top-tier group of musicians and singers who collectively brought a parade of classic rock favorites to life. Fans erupted once the collective came on stage at 9:10 p.m.; bona fide classics were unleashed one after another, with the songs elevated not only by Lynne's signature style but by the talents of the players and energy evident in the arena.

Since the Beatles disbanded 55 years ago, no other hitmaker has carried the sonic torch of the Fab Four with the palpable skill and might of Lynne, and that combination of melody, artfulness and ambition was heard across the 90-minute concert. The concert kicked off with a performance of "One More Time," a marvelous Chuck Berry-inspired cut from the Jeff Lynne's ELO 2019 album From Out of Nowhere. The lyrics from that original track provided the perfect prelude to this special night: "Come on baby, time to rock and roll / Get on board, and we'll soon be gone / Everybody gonna feel real fine / We're gonna do it one more time."

Indeed, while many in the crowd undoubtedly felt the reflective weight of the occasion, there was also the thrill of hearing so many great songs performed with such perfection. While Lynne was the central figure of the night, backup singers Iain Horns and Melanie-Lewis McDonald were critical in enhancing the songs' lush vocal harmonies and layers. Kudos to Lynne's musical director Mike Stevens, exceptional drummer Donavan Hepburn, bassist Lee Pomeroy, violinist Jessie Murphy and a field of other great players whose contributions impressed across the fast moving 20-song set.

The parade of memorable early set gems included the soaring "Evil Woman," muscular rocker "Do Ya" (the latter a favorite from The Move), disco-tinged "Last Train to London," and ambitious symphonic sortie "10538 Overture."

Jeff Lynne's ELO performing "Can't Get It Out of My Head" in Phoenix, AZ 
on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

The night's magic continued via the wistful rocker "Strange Magic," poignant "Can't Get It Out of My Head" intensified by members of the audience using their lit phones to create a constellation of white lights inside the Footprint Center, a flawless "Livin' Thing," melodic masterpiece "All Over The World," and powerful anthemic rocker "Don't Bring Me Down," the latter which closed out the regular set. The troupe returned to the stage to perform "Mr. Blue Sky," an inspired and captivating finish to a night that this fan will never forget. 

Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night came after the introduction of the other band members when Stevens introduced Lynne and the crowd jumped to their feet and cheered and applauded loudly at length to honor a visibly emotional Lynne immediately before the performance of "Fire on High."

Opening for Jeff Lynne's ELO was Los Angeles-based power pop band Rooney, an outstanding young outfit headed by singer-songwriter/guitarist Robert Schwartzman. The quintet performed a slew of great originals blending melodic rock, alt rock and indie dance rock during a lively 45-minute set, showcasing songs that were both well crafted and melodically catchy. Highlights included the power pop cut "If It Were Up To Me," jubilant ear candy nugget "Why," subtle "Stay Away" with its rich arrangement and winning harmonies, driving "Don't Be a Hero," and propulsive modern rocker "When Did Your Heart Go Missing?"

 

Jeff Lynne's ELO setlist at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 29, 2024

One More Time / Evil Woman / Do Ya / Showdown / Last Train to London / Believe See Now / Steppin' Out / Rockaria! / 10538 Overture / Strange Magic / Sweet Talkin' Woman / Can't Get It Out of My Head / Fire on High / Livin' Thing / Telephone Line / All Over the World / Turn to Stone / Shine a Little Love / Don't Bring Me Down / Mr. Blue Sky

Rooney setlist at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 29, 2024

Blueside / If It Were Up To Me / Why? / Stay Away / Don't Be a Hero / Tell Me What We've Learned / Are You Afraid? / Do You Believe / I Should've Been After You / When Did Your Heart Go Missing? / I'm Shakin'

Review by Robert Kinsler

Matthew Sweet fund raiser, November 10 at McCabe's, from Wild Honey Foundation

I wanted to share this important news; a high-profile fundraiser to assist power pop hero Matthew Sweet is set for Sunday, Nov. 10 in Santa Monica, CA...Robert Kinsler

MATTHEW SWEET RECOVERY FUNDRAISER SET FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 at McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, Calif. Performers to include Bangles Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson, Dan Wilson, Richard Lloyd (Television), Val McCallum (Jackson Browne), Greg Leisz, Tony Marsico, John Moremen, Nick Vincent, Willie Aron, Lyn Bertles, Jim Laspesa and Gabi Lima    Matthew Sweet LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Acclaimed recording artist and longtime Wild Honey Foundation friend Matthew Sweet suffered a severe stroke while on tour in Toronto. Matthew is currently back in his home of Omaha, Neb. and beginning an expensive and arduous recovery journey. Matthew needs financial and inspirational support to complete the road back from this tough setback. Wild Honey is here to do its part. Mathew's musical friends and bandmates (past and present) have stepped up and immediately volunteered to perform this intimate event at McCabe's Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica on Sunday, November 10 at 8 p.m. Among those scheduled to perform: Bangles Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson, Dan Wilson, Richard Lloyd (Television), Val McCallum (Jackson Browne), Greg Leisz, Tony Marsico (Cruzados), John Moremen, Nick Vincent, WIllie Aron, Lyn Bertles, Jim Laspsesa and Gabi Lima along with a possibly several surprise guests will perform an amazing evening of music to support and inspire Matthew in his recovery. It will be an unforgettable night in this very intimate venue. Wild Honey is a 501c3 non-profit that supports autism causes and artists-in-need. We have been producing benefit shows since 1994. The benefit is produced Paul Rock and David Jenkins. For more information: Wildhoneyfoundation@yahoo.com Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/5he4vucf Those who are unable to make the show but want to make a tax-deductible donation to the Wild Honey Foundation that will add to the show donation may do so here: https://tinyurl.com/3chk4yvz

Click for Tickets

Pop innovator Matthew Sweet cancels tour after suffering a stroke

Matthew Sweet and yours truly backstage
at the Coach House in San Juan
Capistrano, CA.

My thoughts and deepest prayers go out to Matthew Sweet; please read the media release below and help if you can. I have interviewed the beloved power pop hero several times and always enjoyed his concert dates too..Robert Kinsler

The power pop artist suffered a debilitating stroke while on tour in Canada All tour dates have been canceled To help cover his extensive medical bills  Sweet's friends have set up a GoFundMe HERE

Octber 23; Omaha, NE: Alt-rock trailblazer Matthew Sweet was forced to cancel an extensive cross-country tour of both headline dates and support slots for longtime friends, Hanson, after suffering a debilitating stroke in Toronto late Saturday evening of October 12. He was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he received excellent care and was taken out of immediate danger. Matthew was transferred to a rehabilitation center back home in Omaha yesterday, where he will undergo extensive therapy. He is now on a long, difficult road to recovery. Matthew's longtime manager, Russell Carter, has issued this statement: "All of us who know and love Matthew have hope for a speedy recovery. Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors, not only in his recording career, but in all of his artistic and intellectual pursuits. I am confident that his signature determination will serve him well as he focuses now on recovery to good health." Matthew's medical expenses in Canada and Omaha are exorbitant and his primary source of income — like most professional musicians -— is live touring. He cannot perform for the foreseeable future. Matthew's management have set up a GoFundMe campaign so family, friends, and Matthew's amazing network of fans can contribute to help pay his medical expenses. Please contribute if you can and please repost the link to the GoFundMe fundraiser anywhere you can.  MATTHEW SWEET GoFundMe page HERE Matthew Sweet online: Website Facebook Instagram Vevo

ABOUT MATTHEW SWEET After spending the '80s as an up-and-coming jangle pop multi-instrumentalist with acts like Oh-OK, Lloyd Cole, The Golden Palominos, and The Buzz of Delight, Matthew Sweet emerged as the leading figure of the power pop revival with the release of his platinum-selling breakout record Girlfriend in 1991. Sweet adhered to traditional song craft, yet subverted the form by adding noisy post-punk guitar and flourishes of country-rock, resulting in an amalgam of the Beatles, Big Star, R.E.M., and Neil Young. Girlfriend became a word-of-mouth critical and commercial hit with its title track reaching the Top Five on the Modern Rock charts and its anime-styled music videos entering heavy rotation on MTV.  His next two records, Altered Beast (1993) and 100% Fun (1995), continued the hot streak, producing multiple top ten singles and achieving gold and platinum sales. Sweet's success continued in the late ‘90's and 2000's with successful US and European tours, major label releases (including Blue Sky on Mars, In Reverse, Modern Art), and a revered collaboration series with Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles) - Under Covers Vols. 1-3. More recent studio albums Sunshine Lies and Tomorrow Forever are championed by critics as persuasive testaments to the enduring qualities of Sweet's adventurous, emotion-charged songcraft. On Matthew’s thirteenth album, Catspaw (2021), he plays every instrument (except drums) for the first time in his career. American Songwriter called it “a one-man show of sorts that represents another high point in a career that’s now almost four decades long and shows no signs of lagging.” 2024 saw the release of a newly remixed and remastered archival live recording of Sweet’s epic July 4, 1993 headline performance at WXRT’s “Taste of Chicago” in Chicago’s Grant Park, Live at Grant Park Chicago July 1993. Sweet's next studio album os tentatively titled Midsommer.

New Chess Records Tribute Channel is a Treasure Chest of Vintage Blues, Jazz, Soul, Rock 'n' Roll and Gospel Video Clips in one location

Marshall Chess /
Photo credit: Alex Healy

Marshall Chess, son of legendary Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess, along with his son Jamar and partner Richard Ganter, have launched a “one-stop shop” outlet for vintage video music clips for genres ranging from Blues, Soul and Jazz, to Rock ‘n ‘Roll and Gospel with the rollout of the Chess Records Tribute Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChessRecordsTribute.

“The Chess Records Tribute Channel on YouTube is a deep excursion into the vast Chess Records history, featuring hundreds of rare videos, personal stories and experiences with constant content additions,” says Chess. “There is a podcast section, too, where I play Chess music with added comments. If you love the blues, you have got to check out The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel.”

Now in his eighth decade, Marshall Chess continues to be at the vanguard of music innovation with the new channel, which follows the successful release of New Moves: The Chess Project, a trailblazing new album collection from his CZYZ Records label. CZYZ was the original family name of his father and uncle before they came over to the USA in the 1920s and had their name “Americanized” into “Chess,” which set the brothers on a path to create their own music history.

Partnering with Marshall Chess on these projects is long-time friend Richard Ganter. Over the years, Ganter was in contact with Marshall after both promoted the “Legendary Masters” series in the mid- 1990s. They hit it off on a friendship that has lasted for several decades. Richard suggested a bunch of ideas for a Chess book to pay tribute to the Chess family legacy to Marshall, which in 2019 came to the concept of an illustrated coffee table-style high-quality photo book. When 2020 came around and Covid 19 hit, Richard used the time to finalize the concept of the book with Marshall’s foreword and full authorized support.

 

Realizing that the world pretty much stood still in 2020 with the Chess Records Tribute Book finished, Richard started the YouTube channel Chess Records Tribute to support the book release and produce the most unique channel to showcase the legacy of the Chess family and beyond with Marshall’s full support.  Marshall at that point revived The Chess Project album he produced with his son Jamar and with several major artists and finalized the album in 2023. Thus, several major Chess projects came together to feature on the YouTube channel with the album now hitting the promo trail in 2024. 

 

“The Chess Records Tribute channel pretty much evolved from launching the book and with such a vast array of music and Marshall’s direct and deep association with Chess and beyond we quickly realized we will produce original and unique content not seen anywhere on YouTube,”” adds Richard Ganter. “The vast and deep combined knowledge we bring to this makes the pods, special features and videos the go- to channel in Blues, and of course, across all other genres. The channel covers Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Soul, Gospel and Jazz, plus Comedy – the entire Chess history; plus we go beyond and cover Marshall’s later Rolling Stones involvement and his productions that take us right up to current times.”

 

After the initial launch in July, 2020, and the full launch in January, 2024, the YouTube channel boasts over 500 videos-and-counting to date. A unique offer for any music fan to learn and view, listen to some of the most amazing music ever recorded. The channel has over 20 playlists and features some of the most unique Blues videos and special documentaries ever made on the subject.

 

“The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel reaches the far corners of the globe,” summarizes Ganter. “More specials are planned for 2024/2025 featuring Marshall Chess and his unique broadcast style to captivate and audience with the stories of his life in the music business that are truly one-of-a- kind. We have in-planning further special series that will become pod style tidbits of Marshall Chess folk tales covering artists and music, life and more.”

 

About the Chess Records Tribute Channel

The Chess Records Tribute Channel is the only dedicated video channel on all things Chess Records, its legacy and beyond, fully authorized by Marshall Chess. Currently the channel has 5k permanent subscribers and growing.

 

The channel boasts to date over 500 videos under several key genres such as Blues, Rock, Gospel, Soul, Jazz and Comedy, plus key Chess artist playlists where you get the most exclusive and rare videos seen on YouTube, refreshed every few days with new videos. The channel features over 70 exclusive podcasts by Marshall Chess, produced with Richard Ganter.

 

In addition to Blues,  all other genres that Chess was famous for are covered in depth, including Soul and R&B. Dedicated playlists feature key artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Etta James, Little Walter and Chuck Berry, to name a few.

 

The channel further boasts special films and features including the specially re-colorized and digitized “Bo Diddley Legend” documentary produced by Marshall Chess.

 

The channel also features exclusive videos   produced by Richard Ganter and Marshall Chess on the Grammy-nominated album Hip-Hop –influenced The Chess Project, produced by Marshall and Jamar Chess and Keith LeBlanc, featuring a stellar artist lineup of Bernard Fowler, backing vocalist of The Rolling Stones, world-class percussionist LeBlanc,  Skip “Little Axe” McDonald (Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five) and Eric Gales (Santana, Gary Clark Jr., Lauryn Hill) on guitar; Paul Nowinski  (Keith Richards, Patti Smith) and MonoNeon (Prince, Ne-Yo) on bass; Reggie Griffin (Kenny” Babyface”  Edmonds, Chaka Khan) on keys; Alan Glen (Jeff Beck, Peter Green) on harmonica; and Mohini Dey, an up-and-coming young bass player from India.   

 

Stats:

Videos: Over 550 videos live to date, with new videos published every week.

 

Podcasts: Over 70 podcasts published to-date every other week paying tribute to the Chess legacy hosted by the special Marshall Chess show covering all things music, social and tales from a lifetime of extraordinary experiences  in the business of music, artists and beyond only available on this channel.

 

Shorts: Special artist and songs featured on short video format.

 

Community/Posts: Posts to all subscribers happen almost daily across all linked social media platforms such as X, Instagram and Facebook.

 

Merchandising: A dedicated tagged Merchandise Shop features exclusive designs, which helps maintain the channel production costs. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/@ChessRecordsTribute/store

 

Key Marketing Stats:

Subscriptions: 5k; The channel was soft launched 3 years ago and started to rack up nearly 600k views in the past 12 months, 30k likes and over  10k comments/interactions with viewers across social media.

 

Core channel audience markets worldwide: US, Canada, Brazil, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and South Africa

About Marshall Chess

After spending his early years alongside his father and uncle in Chicago studios and record pressing plants, Marshall Chess made his mark at the family label in the late '60s with his own label Cadet Concept producing the groundbreaking albums Electric Mud (Muddy Waters) and Rotary Connection (self-titled). Marshall continued his innovative work as the founder and head of Rolling Stones Records and president of music publisher, Arc Music. The Chess family continue to be pioneers in the industry today; as this new collection is co-executive produced by Marshall’s son, Jamar Chess: a Billboard "30 Under 30" alum, 2019 ASCAP award-winner, and co-founder of Sunflower Entertainment and Wahoo Music Fund One, partnered by  Marshall and Jamar.

Now living in Upstate New York and at 82 years old, Marshall Chess is still a record man above all - tending to the Chess Records legacy for his grandchildren and generations to come. He maintains The Chess Records Tribute YouTube channel, which features recorded live performances of Chess Records artists and a multi dozen-part Chess podcast hosted by Marshall where he chats about producing classic Chess albums and songs, many of which are reinterpreted on New Moves.

About Richard Ganter

Richard Ganter Started his career in publishing and studio/live productions covering several continents. During his career, he worked for various Polygram Record labels, MCA Records and Universal Music International, amongst others. A former executive at Universal Music Group International, he conceived the Legendary Masters series to reestablish the Chess Records catalogue to a global audience culminating in the production of the critically-acclaimed 15 CD Chess Story box set in 2000. He also produced several million-selling TV albums such as B.B. King Ultimate Collection. A former executive at Vivendi Universal Mobile, he marketed the first wireless mobile digital content portals globally across all genres from hip-hop to pop, including Eminem’s “8 Mile” film, Mary J Blige, Jay Z, Snoop Dog, The Rolling Stones European tour 2004, Sting, million-selling MTV Frog tune among others.

Richard Ganter is a published author running his own global digital media content management company focused on OTT platforms, video music production and channels .He divides his time between Europe and Africa.