ALLEN GRUBMAN:
HERE'S THE DEAL

Allen Grubman, long one of the master dealmakers of the biz, has been doing big catalog and other rights deals on behalf of a bevy of superstars with the companies that have had a proprietary interest in them over long stretches of time. These include but are not limited to Bruce Springsteen’s rumored deal with Sony; Paul Simon’s deal with Sony; Madonna’s pact and the expected Bowie mega-sale with WMG; and the Lionel Richie compact and a rumored Sting deal with UMG.

All of these are gigantic agreements in the hundreds of millions, putting a bejeweled cherry atop the mega-attorney's illustrious four-decade career, which includes longtime relationships with many of the stars listed above as well as roles in the success of artists like The Village People, Elton John, U2, Lady Gaga and countless others—not to mention serving as a trusted advisor to heads of the major music groups as well as leaders in film, TV and other areas of entertainment. Indeed, his client list looks like a who’s who of show biz.

Regarded by many as the most important dealmaker of the last 30 years, Grubman has famously said it takes a goodly portion of sechel (Yiddish for “a combination of instinct, balls and common sense,” he clarifies) to reach such a pinnacle. Whatever it is, he’s got it.