New Label, New Approach
Backed by Steve Ross and Mo Ostin, Geffen Records had a slow start. Talent like Elton John and Donna Summer were flops of his. But Geffen used his friendship with John Lennon to create a deal that paid off nicely after he was shot dead in December 1980.
David Geffen escorting Yoko Ono out of the hospital following the shooting of John Lennon. Photo by Bettman / Getty Images
Warner VP Eddie Rosenblatt was his president and brought with him an amazing A&R staff. With his new label came a new approach. “I wasn’t starting off with that deep personal involvement with the artists… I decided to be a complete businessman.” Instead of finding new talent, it became about finding the best of the best.