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Dan Zelisko
Concert Promoter
Examine the autographed Rolling
Stones or U2 albums in the Dodge
Theater, and you’ll notice they all say
“To Dan” or “Thanks Danny.”
“Danny” is promoter Dan Zelisko, the
connection and know-how behind the
biggest concerts that have taken place
in the southwestern U.S. During more
than 30 years in the business, Zelisko
has worked hand-in-hand with the likes
of Paul McCartney, the Grateful Dead,
Santana, Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Pink Floyd,
the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, to
name a few.
Zelisko recently invited The Times into
his rock-and-roll headquarters. He was
on the phone with Tom Petty’s folks when
we walked in the door. At any moment,
artists may call Zelisko with a special
request. Take the Rolling Stones’ last concert,
for example, when Mick requested
a private jet fly him immediately from the
concert to London to visit his ailing dad.
Zelisko had about six hours to find a jet
and pilot. As always, he managed to pull
it off.
Surrounded by family photos and
autographed memorabilia from the biggest
names in rock-and-roll, Zelisko says
working as a promoter isn’t always pretty.
“We negotiate contracts, sell tickets, sell
ads, hire stage hands, do the accounting
and buy the insurance,” he says. On the
prettier side, Zelisko has photos with
everyone from Bono to Heather Locklear.
Of all the stars, Zelisko says his closest
friends include Clint Eastwood, Stevie
Nicks and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn. |
