There’s an old saying that it’s better to be a ‘king maker’ than the ‘king,’ as kings come and go, but king makers enjoy both anonymity and wealth. In rock and roll, there stands three king makers, the men behind three legendary bands. Their names are Robert Stigwood, George Martin, and Murray Wilson. Let’s spend time today getting to know the man behind the Bee Gees and Cream with Eric Clapton.
Robert Stigwood was not British, rather Australian, moving to the UK in his 20s. Robert loved music but was a genuine entrepreneur looking for business opportunities. He began to manage unknown acts in the late 50s, befriending Beatles manager Brian Epstein in the early 60s; a friendship that would forge his career forever. Brian handed off his lesser-known acts to Robert to manage, including a tape of a teenage group that has some success in Australia known as the Bee Gees. Robert liked what he heard, signing the boys to a multi-year deal; the rest they say is history.
Robert Stigwood was more than a manager and producer; he was a visionary. He’s one of the first managers to invest and produce theatrical events such as Hair, Grease, and his masterpiece Saturday Night Fever. Robert died in London in January of 2016 at the age of 81
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