Here’s an update to an earlier post about Steve Lillywhite’s pitch to be the next Simon Cowell: He really, really wants the job!
Lillywhite has hired the public relations firm Blake Zidell & Associates to help him with his campaign. Not that he wasn’t doing a good job already, but in response to all the “urging” he is getting from fans, he’s now making this more than a one-man, one-YouTube video effort.
BZA sent out this release, which says there’s another video coming on March 8.
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For Immediate Release
February 26, 2010
AT URGING OF FANS, LEGENDARY RECORD PRODUCER STEVE LILLYWHITE CAMPAIGNS TO REPLACE SIMON COWELL ON AMERICAN IDOL
* Producer of U2, Dave Matthews Band, the Rolling Stones and Many Other Eminent Artists Promises to Bring Credibility and Vision to the Star-Making TV Show *
Steve Lillywhite, perhaps the most accomplished producer of the last three decades, might at first seem an odd candidate to host one of the most popular TV shows in history: While he has been responsible for countless records that are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful — from U2 to Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones, the Talking Heads, Dave Matthews Band, Jason Mraz and 30 Seconds to Mars — his reputation is for landmark works and career artists, rather than pop ephemera, and for being behind the scenes, rather than a star himself.
Yet, when a fan made a Facebook page suggesting that Lillywhite should replace Simon Cowell on American Idol, he — along with other fans, industry colleagues, blogs and newspapers — began to contemplate the idea. And he decided that he not only would love the job, but also would be an ideal choice for the position. He has always had the foresight to choose artists who would become superstars, and been sure enough of himself to direct them in the making of their albums, many of which have led to Album of the Year and Producer of the Year GRAMMYs. Furthermore, has an exuberant, funny, over-the-top personality, which can be heard in his popular shows on National Public Radio and East Village Radio, both called The Lillywhite Sessions.
His self-assuredness and sense of humor are on display in the YouTube video he made to stump for the Idol job. Among his many qualifications, he notes, “I have a great accent (listen to me), and I have great credibility among millions of music buyers.” He adds, “I can be firm: I have spent 30 years telling Bono what to do,” referring to his discovery of and longtime collaboration with U2. He also shores up his current relevance by pointing out that he produced the 30 Seconds to Mars single that holds that #1 spot at alternative radio, and that he is beginning work this month with the band Evanescence.
Since Lillywhite posted the YouTube video, there has been a growing groundswell of discourse about the prospect of his replacing Cowell, including preliminary coverage by USA Today, Rolling Stone, Perez Hilton and UK’s The Guardian, among others. Lillywhite plans to post a follow-up video on Monday, March 8.
Last 4 posts by calhouns
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Just wondering…what would Simon have done with Bono if he auditioned for AI in 1980? I suspect he would have overlooked the lad’s charisma and booted him off, maybe for being ‘too pitchy’ or getting too creative with arrangements (or too mouthy - ha!)
In fact, I think he would have passed on U2 altogether, whereas Lillywhite’s instinct was spot on. Today there’s no place in AI for musicians who can’t perform other artists songs well. Would Lillywhite alter that tradition in any way? David Cook is quite talented, but he’s got no connection, no passion. I realize Bono is one of a kind, but I can imagine tons of potential have been wasted over the years on Simon Cowell’s rigid musical tastes. I’ll be glad to see that change, if possible.