LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Its official: Live Nation's former Southern California chairman Brian Murphy has left the company to join AEG Live as their West Coast President. In his new role, Murphy will focus on AEG Live's venues along the West Coast and will report to AEG Live's CEO Randy Phillips.
"It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in business," Murphy told the Los Angeles Times. "There are employees I’m leaving who have been with me for 20 years. But it was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’m an L.A. guy, and AEG Live is an L.A.-centric company."
Murphy could prove to be a key pickup for AEG in the fiercely competitive Los Angeles market as AEG continues to focus on "full service" promotion instead of venue management. Murphy, a 30-year veteran who founded the influential indie promoter Avalon Attractions (which was rolled up by SFX in 1998), was instrumental in the rehabilitation of the Wiltern Theatre and the Hollywood Palladium. Murphy also did a stint at Pacific Presentations, and Creative Management Associates (now International Creative Management) before his tenure at Live Nation where he served as Chairman of the Southern California region and Senior Vice President of Business Development for Live Nation's Los Angeles Music division.
In his new role at AEG, Murphy will work closely with GoldenVoice president and head of AEG's Southern California division Paul Tollett. Tollett and Murphy, long-time friends, have collaborated on hundreds of shows over the course of their careers.
"I’ve always thought he’s the most solid promoter out there,” Tollett told the Times. “His relationships span generations to the biggest names in touring. To have us both on the same team is pretty great. My main competition before was Brian."
Murphy will begin working in AEG's Los Angeles offices January 18 and can be reached bmurphy@aeglive.com. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
