This is an old photo, but it’s from the rehearsals Metallica did with Lady Gaga for the Grammy’s a few years ago.
But this is not about them, it’s about the 2 men circled.
Please meet Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein … the bands loooooong time managers.
In fact, they’re more than that, they’re the most successful music management duo in the history of the industry.
The artists they’ve managed and nurtured over the years is incredible … from breaking Def Leppard’s career with Pyromania and Hysteria to guiding the Chili’s through some of their most challenging times to developing Muse into global superstars … they can lay claim to being behind a lot of the music and artists that define so many of our lives.
But it’s Metallica they’re most famous for … having been with them since 1984.
EIGHTY FOUR.
36 years!!!
Having any band stay together that long is amazing.
Having them still be a contemporary force in culture – rather than a nostalgia act – is incredible.
Having them able to consistently sell out bigger and bigger stadiums all around the World is madness.
Having the same management team for the entire journey – through thick and thin – is nothing short of astounding.
And while there are many reasons for that, I think this picture sums it up.
Mainly because they’re there.
At a rehearsal.
They could have outsourced it to other members of Q-Prime,
They could have said they will only be at the major events.
But no, they’re there … still in the thick of it while also knowing when to stay the hell out of it.
For me, this is management …
Wanting your team to win and demonstrating it through your actions not just some vapid words that say, “we care”.
It’s something we could all learn from, because let’s be honest – we’ve all seen managers who don’t operate this way.
The ones who are first to leave.
The ones who change your work without telling you.
The ones who ensure they’re in the spotlight rather than letting you shine in it.
To paraphrase ‘a dog is for life, not just Christmas’ … management is measured by the success your team achieve, not you’.
I am lucky I get insulted by them every week. Hahaha.