Paul Tollett
Paul Tollett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 (age 58–59) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Cal Poly Pomona |
| Occupation | Promoter |
| Years active | 1986 – Present |
| Employer | Goldenvoice |
| Title | CEO and president |
Paul Tollettis an American music promoter. He is the president and CEO of Goldenvoice, a Los Angeles-based concert production company, and the co-founder of theCoachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Tollett was born in Ohio and grew up inPomona, California.He and his brother, Perry, regularly attended punk andhardcoreshows promoted by Goldenvoice.[2]The Tolletts promoted their first show while in high school.[3]
Career
[edit]Tollett metGary Tovar,Goldenvoice's owner, at aBad Mannersconcert inLong Beachin 1986.[4]He worked part time for Goldenvoice while a chemistry student atCalPoly Pomona,dropping out in his senior year to become a full time employee.[5]
In 1991, he and Rick Van Santen, a longtime associate of Tovar's, bought Goldenvoice. Their first shows featured artists includingBlack Flag,Jane’s Addiction,andN.W.A.[6][7]Tollett said in 2011 that Tovar taught him "everything".[2]
In 1996, Paul and Perry Tollett converted aThrifty drug storein Pomona into a 600-capacity live music venue, the Glass House.[8]No Doubtwas the first band that played the Glass House, which became known for its all-ages rock and punk shows. In 2007, with partners Ed and Jerry Tessier, the Tolletts purchased and renovated the historicPomona Fox Theater.[9]
In 1997, Tollett and Van Santen developed the concept for theCoachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,which was held for the first time in 1999. It lost approximately $750,000. Although Goldenvoice survived the loss, based in part on Tollett's history of "fair dealing with bands and venders", it was a struggle; Tollett sold his house and his car.[4]
Goldenvoice was acquired by AEG in March 2001; by then it was one of the most prominent promoters of rock and punk shows in the United States.[10]
The second Coachella took place as a one-day festival in 2001. In 2012 it was expanded to six days over two consecutive weekends.[11]The 2018 festival drew an audience of approximately 250,000 people. The 2019 festival sold out in six hours.[12][13][14]
Van Santen died in 2004.[7]Tollett and Van Santen were "inseparable" from 1988 to the time of Van Santen's death. In a 2011 interview, he said: "We couldn't have done it without each other."[2]
References
[edit]- ^Appleford, Steve (2019-01-11)."Must Reads: As Coachella turns 20, its press-shy co-founder gets candid about sexual harassment and why Kanye dropped out".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^abc"Gary Tovar Has His Goldenvoice – OC Weekly".www.ocweekly.com.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^Varga, George (2012-04-13)."The man behind Coachella & Stagecoach".San Diego Union-Tribune.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^abSeabrook, John (2017-04-10)."The Mastermind Behind Coachella".The New Yorker.Retrieved2022-01-31.
- ^"A Music Empire Started with Big Dreams and Hard Work | PolyCentric".Retrieved2022-02-14.
- ^"Paul Tollett, President and CEO, Goldenvoice".www.pollstar.com.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^abVariety Staff (2004-01-06)."Rick Van Santen".Variety.Retrieved2022-02-14.
- ^Waddell, R. (2012). THE GOLDEN CHILD. Billboard, 124(12), 14-21
- ^"Coachella music festival energizes Pomona venues Glass House and Fox Theater".Daily News.2012-04-12.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^Leeds, Jeff "(2001-03-07)."Anschutz to Buy Concert Firm Goldenvoice".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2022-02-16.
- ^Waddell, R. (2012). "The Golden Child,"Billboard,issue 124, vol. 12, pp 14-21.
- ^Billboard Staff (2019-02-08)."No. 49: Paul Tollett | Power 100".Billboard.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^"How Music Festivals Became a Massive Business in the 50 Years Since Woodstock".Time.Retrieved2022-02-20.
- ^Bostock, Bill."Glastonbury and Coachella are the 2 most famous music festivals in the world — here's how they compare".Insider.Retrieved2022-02-20.