David Geffen

I'm pretty sure his name is one of those that will get the thread removed on DL. Presumably the DL was threatened at one time.

D@v!d G3ff3n should be written like this, OP. That being said, he plays dangerous games, which is all you need to ever know about him. In fact, you're lucky if that's all you know about him.

I like the story where one of his foes called him a weak little fag and Geffen destroyed his career.

Ah, the 80s.

I seem to recall an interesting thread about him maybe 4-5 years ago. Had to do with a book about him. Am I dreaming?

I read a book about him a few yrs ago. Very good. The library at my apt complex is closed during the corona. He started in the mailroom at company in NYC.

it's underwhelming

Geffen owns a boatload of de Koonig paintings.

hi end escort told me yrs ago mr Geffen has a fab Hermes sling..... very nice gent im told.

definitely one of those people when they pass EVERYTHING will come out (no pun intended) and it will be shocking amazing, amazingly shocking...don't know but is he at least a good guy with the people he does like personally and/or professionally?

Geffen grew up a humble Jewish kid from Brooklyn, who’s father, Abe, was a Christian Science follower who died when David was a teenager.

Geffen’s mother, Batya, was the real freak whom David inherited the ingredients for his ambition and rage.

[quote]I read a book about him a few yrs ago. Very good. The library at my apt complex is closed during the corona. He started in the mailroom at company in NYC. I like cheese.

Joni Mitchell unintentionally bearded for him...I wonder if they’re friends now?

A friend of mine was a Geffen boyfriend for a year. (early aughts). So I hung out at his apartment in NYC and house in LA once or twice. He's nebbishy and kind of gross physically but not entirely unpleasant. He's very good about getting his boyfriends jobs when he breaks up with them - sort of like a consolation prize. He helped my friend get into high-end real estate, and he's done phenomenally well, sold Geffen a property.

It’s hard to believe that all these Jewish boys from Brooklyn succeeded so massively without there being some mechanism in place to help them. Perhaps the Jews really do look after their own.

I used to be acquaintances with a fairly well-known porn star in the early 90's who claimed that he had sex with Geffen a few times. Said it was just business. Geffen contacted his people, sent a limo for him, they fucked, he paid him and sent him on his way. Happened a few more times, then Geffen moved on.

Who's David Geffen?

He was a free man in Paris where he felt so unfettered and alive, wandering down the Champs-Élysées going café to cabaret looking for his next boyfriend.

OP, if you google, "David Geffen Datalounge", several threads will be listed. This one is from 2009:

Ugly, but hung like a horse and a half

Geffen agreed to an easement on his beachfront property at Carbon Beach in Malibu that would allow the public to access the beach. He agreed to it in exchange for permits to a huge remodel of his home. But then he reneged on the agreement and for years he blocked the public from crossing his property to get to the beach. He even put up fake garage doors on a wall to try to prevent parking by the public. Afer a 3 year court battle he lost the case, was forced to pay $300,000 in attorney's fees to Access for All, and is now permanently required to allow the public to use the easement on his property to get to the beach. What a dick.

Rumors about him being angry @ Donna Summer and starting the Adam and Steve rumor to destroy her career.

I wish I had been young and hot and had an arrangement with Geffen. Then I wouldn’t have to continue in my shit job

He tried to destroy Donna Summer's career, and almost succeeded.

He got Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves jobs after they slept with him when they were just starting out.

R24 weird? greeting between cruise and geffen? a tad TOO affectionate between just friends and business partners? just saying...

I never see ANYONE touch another’s head unless they’ve fucked.

R26 or a father to their very young son maybe and being a show of affection...course to my memory my father never did this to me....

He caught a lot of grief when he posted about self quarantining on his yacht In the Grenadines a few months back.

I don’t know if he’s return to land as of yet.

[quote]a Christian Science follower who died

This happens a lot. I wonder how they're handling the pandemic.

Once she found God, Donna Summer needed no help to destroy her career.

Geffen has been mentoring Josh Kushner for awhile now. He told him that his life would be much easier if he married an understanding woman, especially since his parents could not accept him being gay. Geffen was the one who set him up with Karlie Kloss, who was fresh out of a relationship with Taylor Swift.

Josh Kushner is gay?

Jared Kushner?

Think Geffen has had all the cute guys in that photo, r31?

I wish he'd leave a journal about his sex life somewhere unlike that selfish bitch Joel Schumacher who took all his secrets to the grave. When senile old bats like Quincy Jones reach a stage where they give zero fucks and spilling copious tea, it can be most entertaining.

R34 Yes he had them and apart from Josh they don't look too pleased.

r36, Josh is the one in the black t-shirt in r31. He is not the one who is smiling.

I wonder who they all are.

In that picture of Geffen and Cruise, Geffen is significantly shorter than Cruise.

So that makes him, what. 4'9"?

R38.. well cruise officially is listed at being 5'7 and with his lifts he's more like 5'9/5'10....

Official 5'7" means real life 5'5".

I've seen Cruise in person, it's a bit shocking how short he actually is, I passed within a few feet of him in NYC in the 90s when I was a kid, and I was taller than him despite being average height for my age at the time.

its rumored joel s. had colin ferrel and helped his career...

When Lincoln Center was still open, if I ever had tickets to an event at "David Geffen Hall, " I would cross out that name and print "Avery Fisher Hall" above it. Many times it made the ticket taker laugh. That theater is the only one in the complex that has its name backlit. And no, David Geffen, it doesn't make your penis any larger just because your names is in lights.

As this is DL, I think I am allowed to ask: what is the stain on Geffen's shirt in R31's pic?

A bit of drool....

r37. Guy on the far left is Stravos Niarchos, Paris Hilton’s ex and just married to Dasha Zhukova, ex wife of billionaire Roman Abramovich. far right is Derek Blasberg.

46 posts and no mention of Joey Stefano?DL you’re slipping.

Why are 4 of the 6 in R31's pic looking so glum?

I don't care as long as he gives tons and tons of money to the Democrats.

Geffen had them all. His pool parties were legendary.

My employer did business with one of DG's companies and I was involved in the negotiations. During the whole transaction I was dealing with one of his minions. Even though my contact kept referring to DG by his first name ("David would like ...." or "David will agree to ..."), I assumed he was several management levels below DG. But then DG showed up at one of the final meetings before contracts were signed. He came in, introduced himself, asked about my trip to LA, enquired about my accommodations, chatted about the deal and asked if my firm was comfortable with the terms, then excused himself and left the room. Could not have been nicer or more cordial.

John Lennon (and Yoko Ono's) last album Double Fantasy was released on his burgeoning record label Geffen records, 40 years ago.

That's all I got.

Were Geffen and Lennon a thing?

Why did he allowed for GunsN'Roses to release the song One in a Million? Never understood that

"They're lovely people"

- Geffen about Jared and Ivanka Kushner

will the buildings with his name ever have to be re named? wonder if there is much dirt on him

he seems to have been a real nice daddy to many of the hottest stars in the world, and porn stars too.

my friend had the best things to say bout him.

he loved to fist the big boys...

[quote]he loved to fist the big boys...

Josh Kushner is 6'4", n'est-ce pas?

R56 Is that because he like to be the ultimate puppet master?

R28

I know. Jealous bitches!

R52, I see what you've got and I raise it to David couldn't stand Yoko. He thought she was a talentless meddler and wanted direct contact to John.

Do you think he would go for me - a 29-year old German guy? I need a rich American daddy pronto!

People don’t understand that Yoko Ono was a cutting edge very significant international conceptual artist when she met John and her career was destroyed by their relationship. I feel sympathy for her except the misguided pursuing of a musician career.

I'd rather rip my ears off than listen to Yoko Ono. She robbed Lennon of his sense of humour.

was he a big fan of blow bak in the day? odd he is still in such good shape if he did as much as rumor has it. maybe $ can buy u immortality, he looks fit as fiddle..

When it comes to David Geffen everyone talks about everything; his partners, his addictions (not that he had any but money), his feuds, his enemies but no-one mentions his work. The guy is pretty impressive in that department. If I remember correctly, he created three separate successful companies, built them up and then sold them for millions of dollars. No small feat.

There was a documentary on him that I'm trying to get hold of, to no avail.

He can be very charming and generous.

He can also can be a ruthless cunt. David collects people and then discards them.

That said, he saved Chers' ass when she divorced Sonny and found out she was broke.

So there's good there.

anybody that's a billionaire is a ruthless mutha…..u have to cut a lot of throats to get to that strata.....weird

R66 - I really cannot fault anyone who helped Cher and also gives metric-fuck-tonnes of money to the Democrats.

I think that David Geffen said many years ago in some interview that Cher was the female love of his life.

PBS American Masters did a documentary on him a few years back "Inventing David Geffen" and it was very good.

I also read that David Geffen cannot stand Bill & Hillary but I never knew why.

[quote]Do you think he would go for me - a 29-year old German guy? I need a rich American daddy pronto!

Depends, r61. Are you femme or masculine? He likes real men.

By the way, do you know if the sexy Mats Hummels might be gay/bi? Or anyone else in the bundesliga? Germans don't gossip about their celebrities much.

I used to be so jealous of Jeremy Lingvall's access to David's money and generosity, and of David's access to Jeremy's body. Now he's a high-end real estate agent.

I remember reading about how a stripper went to Geffen's house but he was sent right back to the club as he thought he could just get blown. Geffen wanted to fuck him. I think the stripper was Quinn Jaxon.

I knew him casually back in the 80s. Very very ambitious and did not easily take no- chick in a nest straining (very rich and successful chick). But he was not a phony creep like Klein and Diller. I think the love of his life was Bob Brassle who I also knew back in the day. Bob has a long affair with my best friend in NYC prior to David G, also in the 80s.

Was Geffen a good pop hit picker like Clive Davis?

"It’s hard to believe that all these Jewish boys from Brooklyn succeeded so massively without there being some mechanism in place to help them. Perhaps the Jews really do look after their own."

And don't forget Queens.

- Jeffrey Epstein, Burt Bacharach, Les Moonves

They're all from Queens?

[quote] PBS American Masters did a documentary on him a few years back "Inventing David Geffen" and it was very good.

R68, that's it. That's the documentary I'm after. It stopped being available on Amazon. Anyone knows where I can stream it?

R72, Charlie, Charlie, please don't go....tell me more.

Were you working in the music industry?

What things made you think he was ambitious?

R73, Isn't it more that you make them happen?

No. Charlie worked in Ladies Underwear.

Let me guess, you are still jealous R70?

[Quote] Isn't it more that you make them happen?

No. For instance, Geffen signed a lot of successful 1970s acts to his label - Donna Summer, Joni Mitchell. He could barely get a hit on most of them.

R81, it's 2020 and we have heard them and know who they are. They are classics that will always be remembered. Means Geffen was playing the 'long tail' game not the hit game.

R68 - You may stream on PBS Passport if your are a PBS contributor.

American Masters is a WGBH-Boston TV for PBS produced show.

[Quote] it's 2020 and we have heard them and know who they are. They are classics that will always be remembered. Means Geffen was playing the 'long tail' game not the hit game.

You don't know what you're talking about. Geffen and Summer did not go on. He forced her to work with people like Richard Perry after she'd finished an album that had no hits, to Geffen's ears. So spare us your ignorant proclamations.

*did not get on

Donna Summer was red-hot in the late 70s but when she moved to Geffen's label in the early 80s her career took a downturn. "She Works Hard For the Money" was a one-off album she owed her former label, Geffen had nothing to do with it.

one ho I know left, he did not want to do coke all nite and get fisted.

know another, falcon guy, who did and had several dates with him, coke n fisting! wild bak in the day I guess

he seems nice

At least Geffen, unlike Clive Davis, hasn't put his veteran artists through the humiliation of having to record gimmicky, embarrassing shit like "Aretha Sings the Classics of All The Female Singers She's Insulted Over the Years!" "Barry Manilow Sings the Schlocky Love Songs of the 70's That Are Even Worse Than His Own!", "Rod Stewart Croaks 5 Albums Worth of Gershwin and Cole Porter!" "Santana Plays Guitar Solos For Today's Top Stars, But We'll Pretend He's The Primary Artist!"

(What's even more embarrassing is that most of this crap is hugely successful, so the joke's really on me.)

R86, which is good evidence that left to her own creative devices/team Summer could produce hits. Her 2 biggest offerings post Casablanca were albums Geffen had no involvement with: She Works Hard For The Money (a Top 10 album), made for her former label & Another Place And Time (a big worldwide career revival), which Geffen passed on. I'm A Rainbow, which was shelved for over a decade, would have had hits if properly promoted & Cats Without Claws was doomed when Geffen insisted that "There Goes My Baby" be the lead single. Donna's choice of "Oh Billy Please", which was a heavier rocker, would have extended interest in the album beyond an initial hit single. 1982's S/T album was decent, but with poor single choices after "Love Is In Control" momentum in Summer's career continued to decrease. And All Systems Go was simply dismal. Whether it was personal, poor business, ignorance, sabotage or whatever, it was Geffen who wrangled her career into the history books sooner than it should have been or was ready to be.

It was Geffen's interference that got her to record "Dinner With Gershwin", which did well for her in the UK.

Who's to blame for Donna's dismal 1990s? "Love On and On" could have been a big hit for her. She had Miramax keen to have it as the theme song for "54." But Donna requested to see the movie and passed on the offer once she had watched it... Donna Summer killed her own chart career. She may have had help (Bruce Sudano? The husband-manager who mismanaged the response to the "Adam & Steve" rumors) but she couldn't pin it entirely on anyone else.

R84, I know the story, she started getting hits when she left him. But you don't seem to understand: do you how many musicians try their luck but never making at all? Hundreds, even thousands. To have spotted Donna Summer is impressive. And now her name is connected to his.

There are more business models than the one only based on hits

[Quote] To have spotted Donna Summer is impressive.

He didn't spot Donna Summer. He poached her when she was already a massive success. You're embarrassing yourself.

*make it at all*

R93, This thread is not about Donna Summer, this thread is about David Geffen. And you are the one who is embarrassing yourself if you are claimin that his success over several different media: music, films, theatre are only due to luck or serendipity

"And you are the one who is embarrassing yourself if you are claiming that his success over several different media: music, films, theater are only due to luck or serendipity"

R95 - You are so correct. I believe Geffen could achieve anything he set his mind on to achieve.

[Quote] And you are the one who is embarrassing yourself if you are claimin that his success over several different media: music, films, theatre are only due to luck or serendipity

I asked a specific question about Geffen's ability to pick hits. You responded with multiple posts that showed your ignorance on the subject of the question I asked.

No one has denied Geffen's business acumen. Business acumen does not mean he possesses ability in every aspect of the business.

I like his boat.

R97, this is my post:

[quote] [R81], it's 2020 and we have heard them and know who they are. They are classics that will always be remembered. Means Geffen was playing the 'long tail' game not the hit game.

What are are you talking about. I don't care about the music, I care about his business acumen which is what he is celebrated for. He's not a musician.

More about hookers, coke, and fisting please.

[quote]Was Geffen a good pop hit picker like Clive Davis?

We thought David did pretty well picking pop music makers.

Things I know or have heard about DG over the years, beyond the usual gossip:

As mentioned upthread, Geffen and Joni Mitchell were friends, on some level - her song "Free Man in Paris" was about him - and they did business together. Joni was on Asylum Records in the early 70s, which Geffen was a founding partner of, and then did several albums for Geffen Records in the 80s. That's when their relationship appeared to sour, as Mitchell's records were not selling as her 70s albums did.

Geffen was close friends with Laura Nyro and encouraged her at the beginning. She really broke his heart personally when she signed with Columbia Records.

There was a short-run comedy on Fox years ago called "Action" with Jay Mohr. In one episode, Mohr's character is dealing with a short, ugly mogul (depicted as older and fatter than Geffen) and goes to the mogul's house. Mogul is dictating instructions/ideas to him as he steps out of the shower, and Mohr is distracted and shocked by the mogul's HUGE penis. Apparently, everyone everywhere knew this as a reference to Geffen.

r101

You named some album artist singer songwriters and Linda Ronstadt, the covers queen (shall we talk Peter Asher?). If you don't have the knowledge to address my question that's fine. Scroll on by.

Anyone knows how David got on with Elliot Roberts? They seem to have had a good relationship

Did Donna willingly go to Geffen?

Not to suggest anything nefarious on his part but I thought somehow Geffen bought her contract as part of the collapse of Casablanca. I am a fan of Donna's but not to the level that some others may be, so perhaps someone knows more about this than I do.

[Quote] I don't care about the music,

That's fine. Donna's output on Geffen is not considered classic except among her most devoted followers. Her stint on Geffen was a financial failure (and no, it hasn't gained any "Dusty In Memphis" type success in modern times.). You can appreciate that last sentence, hopefully.

[Quote] Did Donna willingly go to Geffen?

Yes. She did. She was suing the head of Casablanca, whose wife had been her manager.

Thanks, R107. Was curious about that.

I remember a number of artists shuffled in that collapse. As someone just mentioned Dusty Springfield, her "White Heat" was one of the albums released near the collapse, and Dusty was in label limbo for a time.

Donna also priced herself out of singing "What's a Feeling."

The huge penis guy would be Barry Diller.

Ah, you may be right R110. I think I have read that in print, as well.

But I've heard people say that was about Geffen too.

There was a WSJ gay reporter who had been writing an official biography of DG until they had a falling out midway through the project. After the less than favorable bio came out, the reporter died mysteriously.

R106, people like Donna Summer or Joni Mitchell and others, for someone like me who is not necessarily into music, if you mention them and I have heard of them it means they are 'classics' in my eyes, they have reached the mainstream. They are not some niche obscure musician either I haven't heard of or don't care much about. So, when you talk about classic and I talk about classic, we are talking two different things.

David is my parents' age - in his late 70s - are there no eldergays on the DL who worked with him or knew him and the way he did business? I would like to understand what made him so successful.

You can probably pick up the Tom King biography of Geffen cheap...

R69 - Well, I am definitely not femme, but I am also not a wood-choppin' mucho macho male. I am something inbetween. I might be a otter and a twink.

I don't think Mats is gay. He is married to an very annoying influencer-model type. There isn't much gossip about gay footballers in Germany. Online, I have mostly heard rumors about Arne Friedrich, Phillip Lahm and even that the reason for Robert Enke's suicide was his homosexuality. But I think that's bullshit!

OT: Are there any rich datalounge millionaire/billionaire daddies here, who would like to give me - a still very young and youthful German - in these hard times a bit of 'help'. I promise I won't spend it for gauche, disgusting stuff like Gucci belts. I only make classy investments. I know this sounds pathetic, but one can always try. I would love to be sponsored by an American daddy :P

You've already fucked it up for yourself by sounding thirsty. Geffen types like to be the hunter.

R114, I have already read it, some years ago and the other one too by Stephen Singular. Also, The Men who would be king about Dreamworks.

And you were none the wiser about why he was successful?

R112, I've heard that rumour too. Urban legend.

R110, what use is it if it goes in Diane von Fuerstenberg?

Geffen was with porn star Joey Stefano for a while until a coked up Stefano blabbed on The Robin Byrd Show that he was with Geffen. That was a mistake. He was immediately dumped.

R118, not really. Maybe as thirsty or as ambitious as any of the people I have around me. The problem is that because people can be sued, especially publishers, books are always present a sanitized version of things. But when you hear gossip from the horses mouth it tends to come closer to 'the truth'

Define "with."

I am also a virgin if that matters. And I am not that thirsty. Around millionaires I would be kind of desinterested and nonchalant.

R98, boat, you say?

[quote] I am also a virgin

And I'm Angela Merkel.

R125 I really am! It's not that unusual. I wonder what it feels to have a throbbing dick in my anus...

R126 I’m confused, are you trying to offer up your virginity to Geffen as an enticement?

R127 I am not. I don't really consider myself a whore. Honestly, I would rather give it to a nice, sweet and gentle, but above all, primarily American Datalounger!

[quote] far right is Derek Blasberg

Excuse me, on DL he is properly known as Mr. Derek Blasberg.

R126, German guy you may have to go the straight route.

[quote] Mitchell Geffen fathered two daughters, who are David's closest surviving relatives.

R130 Why? I want to have a boyfriend! And all that coronavirus isolation makes me kind of lonely...

R131, I'm very sorry, it wasn't my intention to upset you, but you see, when David croaks it the money would most likely go to them

R131 You didn't upset me. Are you single looking for a nice German guy, who is a good cook and baker? I loooooooove Americans!

To whom would David's money go?

I lived across the street from him in Malibu for a year. The entrance to the beach is attached to his house. He hates it but anyone can use that entrance. It’s a public beach.

Donna Summer's first album with Geffen Records almost bankrupt the label. It cost a fortune to produce and was a huge flop. Her career was essentially over at that point.

Geffen thought that putting her with Quincy Jones would deliver Michael Jackson like results, but Quincy was nothing without Michael's genius. The whole album was a musical disaster.

[Quote] Quincy was nothing without Michael's genius

What absolute twaddle.

It's a minor miracle that Donna Summer managed to have any hits whatsoever after 1979/1980. She'd been known as the Queen of Disco, a genre that, by late '80, was thoroughly and completely discredited in the minds of much of the mainstream public. It's no wonder that they stumbled around a bit trying to figure out what to do with her. She was sailing along, doing great, and then she had the rug pulled out from under her when the genre she was known for suddenly became a dirty word. The fact that she experienced a slow, gradual career decline, versus the sudden post-disco crash-and-burn suffered by the Bee Gees (in America, at least) and the Village People, is actually fairly impressive.

She had a good 5-year run at the very top, and then eked out a few more hits over the next few years, which back then was considered a pretty standard career in music, even for a superstar. Legends have been built on far less.

The only problem I have with Geffen is that he didn’t promote Kylie very well and then dropped her.

R136 Yes! Rod Temperton was so key to Michael's sound, and quite frankly does not get enough credit.

That's not true. If anything, the rug was religion. Summer had hits with the likes of "She Works Hard For the Money." She could have had "What a Feelin'" if she'd kept her association with Giorgio Moroder. Disco music became Dance music. It didn't disappear.

Kylie was part of the SAW sound, which never took off in the US to the same extent as the UK. I think they only had about a dozen Top 40 hits stateside.

The US had Madonna, so they didn't need a 3rd rate wannabe like Kylie.

Then why was Paula Abdul given play?

Dead or Alive, Bananarama, Rick Ashley and Donna Summer had big SAW hits in the USA, so it’s not as if they couldn’t have promoted Kylie better.

Agreed on Paula Abdul. Maybe because Kylie wasn’t RnB flavored and Paula sort of was.

3rd rate Madonna? At least Kylie can sing on key live. Maybe 2nd rate Madonna.

Kylie probably would have stood a better chance if she'd hopped on the emerging New Jack Swing sound instead of SAW trademark style. Though it only got Sheena Easton one or two hits, it might have helped a younger performer like Kylie to make a name for herself stateside.

The American public just didn't take to Kylie, for some reason. Same with Take That, who only had one or two hits in the US but were huge in the rest of the world.

Geffen was originally supposed to produce The Producers. It was his conception, but he wanted Jerry Zaks to direct, Rob Marshall to choreograph, and Jerry Herman to write the songs. Mel Brooks had other ideas though, and he wanted Mike Ockrent to direct, Susan Stroman to choreograph, and to write the score himself. Geffen thought that was a terrible idea, and withdrew from the project. So much for his creative instincts.

Donna Summer never should've parted ways with Giorgio Moroder. He had some mega-hits in the 80s - Fame (Oscar winner), Take My Breath Away (Oscar winner), Flashdance/What A Feeling (Oscar Winner) and Call Me. Donna could've done all of those.

"Together In Electric Dreams" would have been great with Donna on vocals.

Which one of these two is he?

Geffen did give us Dreamgirls. He gets points for that.

R148 wasn't it at Geffen's insistence that she stop working with Moroder, though? "The Wanderer" didn't do as well expected, then he deemed "I'm a Rainbow" unfit for release, and hooked her up with Quincy Jones. Creative partnerships can get stale, and it seems like Geffen thought the Moroder-Bellotte-Summer team was spent. I seem to remember reading in her memoir that her feeling was that she had her producer taken away from her, not that she voluntarily left him.

If Geffen could prevent her working with Moroder, why did he allow a hit album to get away from him? If he was all powerful, he could have ensured that Summer record some shit demos and deliver those to Polygram. I think the relationship already soured over "I'm a Rainbow." Michael Omartian did much of the "Money" album and he also did "Cats Without Claws," the flop follow up. I think Donna's religiosity got in the way of things and she exerted more control. She even fucked up her comeback via SAW. They had a second album's worth of tunes ready but Donna wanted her co-writes and SAW wouldn't budge. "Mistaken Identity" did nothing for her. I think her husband played a part in all of that. He was a musician but not a music manager. However, he became her manager, as husbands often do in show business...

Donna's musical taste got really weird when she signed with Geffen. The Wanderer and Cats Without Claws were bizarre, uncommercial albums. She was trying to jump on the New Wave sound, but her voice and persona didn't fit that genre at all. She even tried to sing some rock songs with equally dismal results.

Unlike Donna, Linda Ronstadt was able to move between different genres with both commercial and critical success. She was just a better singer, artist and she obviously had better management behind her. Donna wanted a career like Linda's so badly.

Donna also missed a golden opportunity when Whitney Houston was coming onto the scene and started having hits with big diva ballads and splashy pop songs. I'll never understand why Donna didn't do the same. Her voice wasn't as good as Whitney's, but she certainly had the vocal chops to give Whitney a run for her money.

Wasn't Ronstadt's New Wave album considered a joke? I think Elvis Costello even spoke out negatively about one of her covers (his song).

Donna wanted writer credits. She didn't want to be a covers queen like Linda or Whitney.

Someone up-thread suggested there was something going on between Geffen and Tom Cruise. I suppose Cruise must be grateful to David for producing two films that made Tom a popular actor: "Risky Business" and "Interview with the Vampire". It's clear why he got the part for the latter but how did he land the part in RB if he wasn't well known?

Tom Cruise's break into the industry is quite a mystery. How a kid from Jersey with no experience or show biz connections got into movies in less than two years is pretty remarkable.

R158.... exactly... his only "experience" was a high school play and i think some other amateur productions before/during his early days of moving to nyc from new jersey..supposedly he couldn't land commercials either because he wasn't pretty enough or he was TOO intense for commercials...SO

he gets a small speaking part in "endless love".... who was the good agent that even GOT HIM TO AUDITION for this speaking role with his lack of any credentials, education, experience?

then he goes from a basically a extra role in "taps" to a speaking role because the original actor was fired, so that was lucky for him..

then he goes from there to a small role in the group ensemble of "the outsiders" where he was among peers and didn't stand out in any noticeable way....

and then from there goes to another role in the low budget teen sex comedy "losin it"...

and then from there gets a role in the surprising huge hit that was "risky business" and becomes a star and only 3 years after that becomes a superstar with "top gun"...

the thing is with his no connections, no money, no acting drama school training or experience, how did he even GET A AGENT to send him for these early roles before risky business? how did he even GET a audition for these early roles with his lack of experience and qualifications?...most people like 99% of young male actors of a career in their first 3 years would still be working if they were lucky at dinner theaters, student films for no pay, maybe a commercial or two and so on and so on..

how did GEFFEN truly become aware of him and singling him out to STAR in a movie? what he Geffen was so enamored of cruise from watching his few scenes in "TAPS" or the bomb that was "losin it"?..and above all others? allegedly actor kevin anderson was to have played the role, but geffen stated he wanted cruise because the main character had to be someone he and others would want to fuck... granted, cruise was that more then anderson!....

cruise must have been the luckiest? young male actor in the world (perhaps ever?) going from 1980 high school graduate NOBODY to a star in 3 years in a major motion picture! on cruise's part, i will say he was great in risky business, so i'll give him that....

Brandon Flynn got 13RW three months after coming to NY.

R160.. whose brandon flynn and what is 13RW?.... sorry, never heard of either!..okay, i just looked at his IMDB page..

the thing is? nowadays it's much much easier to be a 'star" a "celebrity" and getting such work as there is so much work to be had...

in the early 1980's when there was ONLY motion pictures, tv and commercials in regards to cruise his meteoric rise is quite different from this brandon flynn getting a role in a ensemble on a netflix show..

Betty Buckley arrived in NY and within two days she got her first gig.

R162... and what was her "gig" and how did she follow it up for the next couple of years?....what was her experience, education, connections?

cruise LITERALLY went from nobody to a star in 3 years.....

r163, The gig was a Broadway musical called "1776" in which Buckley played Abigail Adams, the wife of the male lead William McNamara (as John Adams). Buckley had a solo "He Plays the Violin." From there she went to London to star as Fran (the Shirley MacLaine role from "The Apartment") in the Burt Bacharach - Hal David musical "Promises, Promises." Long story short: It can happen fast.

*William Daniels

R112 RIP Tom King. I knew him. He was a very sweet and talented man. Authorities said he had a fatal aneurysm. I'm sure that his battle with Geffen caused unbelievable stress.

R164.. what was buckley's training and education and connections?...

still think appearing in plays broadway or not is not the same as appearing in motion pictures and becoming a STAR in 3 years like cruise did being a nobody....

[quote]cruise LITERALLY went from nobody to a star in 3 years.....

Same thing with Keanu Reeves. Both of these minimally talented boys were somehow cast in major motion pictures for no apparent reason. Today, Cruise is worth $570 million and Keanu has a net worth of $360 million.

The casting couch pays off very well with the right people.

And Keanu couldn't act. He sure was pretty, though.

Geffen should just write a book and spill every detail and name. He would become a bigger legend than all the talent he worked with.

We are going way off topic but Betty also got national tv exposure being a featured performer at the Miss America pageant. She was a runner up in the miss Texas pageant and was invited to sing in the telecast.

Didn’t Donna also turn down “I’ve had the time of my life “ because she didn’t like the dirty dancing title? “Call me” was originally for Stevie nicks but her label wouldn’t let her do it.

The Operator by Tom King. DG was all for it and participated then became angry at what some friends were telling Tom. DG told Tom to stop the press. Tom did not stop. BTW Tom was no hack, he was entertainment editor for the WSJ. Then this happened:

R168... keanu reeves had plenty of work in movies and tv before he became a star... cruise did it with only 4 films before risky business and in 3 years and of course became a huge superstar with top gun only 6 years into his career... so their quick trajectory is not equal or the same...

it is "interesting" though in that BOTH were championed by geffen, a powerful gay man... DID geffen champion others that became never were's and were failures?

He mus be mortified at all this interest in him, aint he an introvert kinda?

anyone doin a bio of Geffen should interview the hot falcon and other porn studios stars of the eightys,,,,,he had many...

who didn't have joey Stefano, the entire audience of the campus strip theatre ate him out when he appeared there, the kid was hot n hungry...

david has given tons to charity, he a good guy....

AGC has mentioned G3&&3; many times over the years...he is not a nice guy and has allegedly used barely legal boys for unsavory purposes.

AGC??

R174, he didn't seem timid when he was flaunting his yacht....

Lawdy child wish I been at them yacht partys and was one o his fave ho's

R79, just makes your panties tighter- I have worked all my life mostly in academic healthcare but in my 20s a bit of retail and men’s fashion while having a ball in NYC- fun when at Andre Oliver but really a diversion Until I embarked on my current career. And R79, this’ll make your panties even tighter: I remain an appointed professor in NYC (I’m working at 66 years old) and all my life I have not had to work!

PS there’s a pretty good bio of Geffen published a few greats ago if you’re interested.

As for how I know Geffen was ambitious (understatement)- it’s not hard to identify a very driven person when you see a bit of them up close.

“Years” not greats- stupid autocorrect

Hi, Charlie! I love professors! I have read your comments for years as a young gayling!

I love Carbon Beach in Malibu, where Geffen owns a beach home. The beach is so beautiful and pristine.

At the 36:38 mark in this video, you get a good look at Geffen's beach house. You also can see the public beach access right next to his house. I would be on that beach every week if I lived in the area.

Used to own, he sold it a couple of years ago

Wonder if he has guilt, at all the folks he had to stomp on to achieve billionaire status? u don't get that much dough from bein nice...

How does a hot str8 but gay for pay 21 yr old stud get a meeting with mr Geffen? Have bubble butt and 9.5 inches, am top but willing to experiment for the right price.

Become a "dance" in WeHo.

Become a "danceR" in WeHo.

"Kevin Anderson"

R159 - The actor from "Sleeping With the Enemy"?

kevin so hot, one of my faves….

Geffen chose amour with cruise over kevin??? no way.

R192 - Tom Cruise does not seem to me that he would be Geffen's type.

R190.. yes, that kevin anderson from "sleeping with the enemy"....

years later after risky business and producing interview with the vampire, geffen did a q & a interview and after the interview was over, the interviewer or someone else mentioned tom cruise name and geffen with a smile stated "despite what you or some have you may have heard rumor wise (i'm paraphrasing what he said exactly), tom cruise is the straightest guy you can imagine".....

I think he mean Cruise likes to lie straight on the bed as he gets fucked. No doggy or missionary for Tammy.

can see tommy boy wiggly nude in dg's sling....blow flying in the air....weekend of ass debauchery....

Whet to Kevin Anderson? He and Matt McCoy were two of the blandest leading men in the 80s and 90s...they made Bill Pullman look like DeNiro.

Is Geffen still isolating on his yacht and cruising the world?

Bet there are some cutie petunias on that boat with him....

R199 - The weird thing about David Geffen is that he seems to really get along with women better than he does most men.

I could be wrong but was Geffen not in some decade long fight with Don Henley?

[Quote] The weird thing about David Geffen is that he seems to really get along with women better than he does most men.

It's weird that a gay man would get along better with women?

Not to defend David Geffen, but Don Henley is an egomaniacal mega-asshole. Tons of people have had fights with him.

I'm assuming Kevin Anderson wasn't the type to put out for Geffen, but Tom Cruise did so enthusiastically. Same with Keanu. He certainly had the means and unlike several other monsters in the entertainment business he never forced himself on anybody. Mind you, in spite of Geffen sexual proclivities, he has very very generous with his proteges and budding artists, and advancing their careers, plus all the work and money for charities and the arts.

[Quote] he has very very generous with his proteges and budding artists, and advancing their careers,

You might call that insurance.

Is it true Geffen is really into fisting?

How should I know, dahling? He never fisted MY hole.

he fisted the hell out of my buddy a former porn god from Falcon.....heavy duty.....pnp

yrs ago

R201 - My comment had nothing to do with Geffen being gay. The point I am trying to make is that may men as successful as David Geffen do not view women as "friend" material. However, I have read many Hollywood bios were Geffen is mentioned by ex-girlfriends of the famous and professional female hangar-ons all stating that he was a wonderful guy and friend.

[R76]

R209 - Have it on a DVD and it is an excellent documentary. I recommend to all.

There is no audio on the YouTube video. Their link to Internet Archive site says: This item is no longer available.

R119, you don't actually think Diller is sticking his dick into DvF, do you???

I know she made a comment or two in the distant past about their having had sex, but I don't believe a word of it. Diller has always been so screwed up about being labeled gay, like Roy Cohn was. To them "gay" meant weak and being an outcast which didn't jive with their public personas.

R203 is full of crap- he knows no such thing.

my falcon buddy had all the velvet mafia, including mr diller.....and calvin klein....

^^he said they were all very nice and generous.... he was alwys amazed how sweet they could be in bed but when on the phone doing business....cut throat..

So was David Geffen involved in Kurt Cobain's death?

How???? never heard that. he a very nice mine im told.

What ever happened to his long term boyfriend, actor Steve Antin?

Steve Antin is an enthusiastic recipient of "dental work."

Steve Antin used to be so cute. Wow. Now he looks like Bryan Singer.

Steve Antin used to be so cute. Wow. Now he looks like Bryan Singer.

Steve Antin was adorable back in the day.

R208 Barry Diller has a lot of close women friends besides DVF. He and Hillary Clinton are friends. He put Chelsea on the boards of two of his companies.

Chelsea Clinton. Now there's somebody who's never had to work hard a day in her life.

Wonder why David Geffen hasn't jumped on that bandwagon of wealthy power gays having children.

All that money has to go somewhere, why not have an heir? Andersen Cooper saw that light and it's as it should be.

Bette Buckley did not play Abigail Fucking Adams in 17Fucking76. And Abigail does not sing He Plays the Fucking Violin.

david likes his kids to be 18?

R224 = Ivanka Trump

Geffen is a total top.