John Branca

John Branca (1950- ) is an entertainment lawyer who specializes in representing rock and roll acts, as well as independent investors and labels in the music industry. As of September, 2006, he had represented 28 acts in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, ZZ Top, Fleetwood Mac, Bee Gees and The Doors, which is believed to be more than any other entertainment attorney.

As a partner in the law firm of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman,Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP [1], Branca is one of a handful of attorneys to have been included in all thirteen editions of the prestigious Best Lawyers in America.[2]

Branca is a former musician himself. When he was 16, his band opened for The Doors at LA’s Hullabaloo Club.

Career Highlights

Branca was instrumental in producing and releasing Michael Jackson’s revolutionary Thriller music video. Before Thriller, music videos typically had budgets of $50,000. Jackson spent over $1 million on Thriller. The success of the video caused rock groups and record companies to consider music videos an essential part of the way rock music was packaged and sold. Branca also convinced a reluctant Jackson to unveil his Moonwalk on national television on the Motown 25th Anniversary Special. After this appearance, sales of Thriller, which had been out for over a year, soared.

In 1991, Branca put together what’s considered rock’s first mega-deal, a four album deal for Aerosmith with Sony, estimated to be worth $50 million.

For the Stones’ 1989 Steel Wheels tour, Branca crafted a deal which, for the first time, took ticket sales, sponsorships and promotions out of the hands of local promoters, and placed them with one company who could handle all aspects of the entire tour, allowing for more efficient operations. Today, virtually all major concert tours follow this model.

In 2005, Branca brokered a ground-breaking deal between Korn and EMI, which made EMI a partner in all of Korn’s operations, including touring and merchandise, instead of only handing the band’s CDs, which has typically been the record company's role. This synthesis increased the record company’s incentive and ability to foster the group’s success in all endeavors.

Branca has helped songwriters such as Don Henley of The Eagles regain copyrights of their songs, or to help them secure royalties that they’ve lost, as he did with John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Over the years, John has put together major music-publishing deals for such luminaries as Berry Gordy, Charles Koppelman and Marty Bandier. His best-known deal was the acquisition of The Beatles catalog by Michael Jackson.

Other Clients

Branca has represented such other clients and producers as Alicia Keys, Berry Gordy, Dick Clark, Dr. Dre, the Backstreet Boys, and Andrea Bocelli. Outside the music world, Branca has represented media companies, corporations, and sports stars. These non-music clients include Forbes magazine, Penthouse magazine, Playboy magazine, investor Ron Perelman, Mike Tyson, MCI, Viviendi and Richard Branson.

Public Service

Branca is a board member of the Musicians' Assistance Program, which, in conjunction with MusiCares [3] provides help to members of the music industry who need treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as assistance for other financial, medical and personal crises.

Branca is also on the board of his alma mater, Occidental College.[4] He endowed a scholarship for UCLA’s basketball team, as well as serving on fund-raising campaigns for the latter’s Athletic department and Law School. In addition, he and his wife Linda are also involved in supporting assorted environmental and animal rights groups.

Hobbies

Possibly due to having former Brooklyn Dodgers star pitcher Ralph Branca for an uncle, Branca is an ardent baseball card collector, and has many rare cards. [5] He also has a noted collection of Italian antiques.

Sources

Website: www.johnbranca.com

Musicares and Musicians' Assistance Program Merge To Provide Assistance [6]

The Emotions and Magnificance of John Branca's Card Collection [7]

John Branca Represents Musicians [8]

Recording Stars Challenge Record Labels [9]

Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine – 2005 –Profile of John Branca