Attention rock-star wannabes -- follow this amazing list from Lefsetz

As you know, I'm a HUGE FAN of music industry insider Lefsetz. He wrote a list he sent out today that pretty much NAILS IT as far as the best advice you could ever get to be a rock star -- in music and in life. He was writing about Steve Jobs as a role model's role model. All of his text is in red -- mine is in a sort of hot pink. (I did not want to clutter up this amazing piece of writing with quote marks or notes of any kind!)

NOTE: The photos are of (01) future rock stars, below, Joe Fornothin' performing at Parker Library. I used them because they are young and passionate. (Lefsetz would love them!) And then there is (02) Meese, here. Meese = almost-there rock stars; more local boys done well. I LOVE Meese. The screenshot is from their video for "Next in Line."

What kind of crazy, fucked-up world do we live in where the biggest rock star doesn't even play an instrument? ... [W]hat I find utterly amazing is I'm more interested in what Steve Jobs has to say than any musician.

And I'm not alone.

He's autocratic. Beholden to no one. Says no to partners. Does what he thinks is right. ...

While today's 'artists' make music by committee, kissing the butts of everyone in the food chain of retail and publicity, this guy in Northern California, far from the streets, has amassed a following larger than any band.




Don't make deals with sponsors.

Don't worry about offending.

And you might have a career that lasts a decade or two.

Pursue your dream.

Don't focus on the hit.

Break the rules.

Tell those in your way to fuck off.

Don't be afraid of alienating potential customers.

And you might just grow a fan base dedicated enough to give you all its money, and evangelize to others, getting them to part with their dough too.

I dunno about you, but Lefsetz is a HUGE rock star in my book.

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