Jon Landau: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductee
Starting as a pioneer rock journalist in the mid-Sixties, Landau later became a co-producer and manager of Springsteen -- he is inducted with the Ahmet Ertegun Award
The 2020 Inductees Revealed - Celebrate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Newest Inductee Class (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductees Revealed
Welcome to the official Class of 2020 Inductees, presented by partner Ernst & Young. Watch and celebrate the eight newest Inductees including Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G., T. Rex, Jon Landau and Irving Azoff.
Jon Landau
Starting as a pioneer rock journalist in the mid-Sixties, Landau contributed to the earliest rock publications, including Crawdaddy!, The Phoenix and Rolling Stone. Later, Landau became a co-producer and manager of Springsteen. He is inducted with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Jon Landau (c. 1959)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau, c. 1959
Jon Landau in College (c. 1967)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau in College, c. 1967
Landau attended Brandeis University where he formed a band called the Jelly Rolls and was a critic for campus paper The Justice. He graduated in 1968.
Note from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner (August 8, 1970)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Note from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, 1970
This note describes Landau resuming full time work at Rolling Stone after producing Livingston Taylor’s self-titled debut album. "I played him a few songs and he said, ‘I want to produce you!’” Taylor recalled.
Jon Landau with the MC5 (1971) by McDermottRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau with the MC5, 1971
Landau produced the Motor City 5’s album Back in the U.S.A., their debut studio album.
The Real Paper (1972)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Real Paper, 1972
This Boston-area alternative weekly newspaper had a focus on politics, the counterculture and music. This issue featured an article about the Rolling Stones written by Jon Landau.
It’s Too Late to Stop Now: A Rock and Roll Journal (1972) by Straight Arrow BooksRock & Roll Hall of Fame
It’s Too Late to Stop Now: A Rock and Roll Journal, 1972
This book is a collection of Jon Landau’s articles and reviews that appeared in various publications, including Rolling Stone and Crawdaddy!
Telex to Jon Landau from Rolling Stone founder and editor Jann Wenner (1972)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Telex from Rolling Stone founder/editor Jann Wenner, 1972
This Telex exemplifies typical editorial duties and assignments at Rolling Stone. The article that is assigned here, “The Resurrection of Santana” by Ben Fong-Torres, appeared in the magazine in 1972.
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, Page 1 (June 26, 1973)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, 1973
This lengthy memo written by Landau, touches on many topics including Rolling Stone’s editorial assignments, pitches for new stories and a general request for feedback from Wenner.
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, Page 2 (June 26, 1973)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, 1973
"As we discussed on the phone, in the next film column I have added a Film Notes section in which I will attempt to be loose, witty, gossipy, and a generally interesting person. If it works well maybe we could expand it into the entire Film page."
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, Page 5 (June 26, 1973)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Memo from Jon Landau to Jann Wenner, 1973
"Anyway, all this rambling should give you a good idea of what I think about it all; I need to know what you tihnk. I think you ought to put it in writing because that way I can't argue with you, get too defensive, cut you off, dispute you or change the subject -- as I am prone to do when things get unpleasant."
Born to Run (1975) by Bruce SpringsteenRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Born to Run, 1975
Landau co-produced this landmark album. It was the first time he had worked with Springsteen.
“[Landau] guarded against overplaying and guided [Born to Run] toward a more streamlined sound,” Springsteen wrote in his 2016 memoir Born to Run. “I was ready to give up some eclecticness and looseness, some of the street party, for a tighter punch to the gut.”
Jon Landau and Family with Bruce Springsteen (c. 1975)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau and Family with Bruce Springsteen, c. 1975
Jon Landau and Bruce Springsteen (c. 1975)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau and Bruce Springsteen, c. 1975
When Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1999, Springsteen paraphrased Landau’s famous quote from The Real Paper, saying, “I’ve seen the future of rock & roll management. And its name is Jon Landau.”
Born in the U.S.A. (1984) by Bruce SpringsteenRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Born in the U.S.A., 1984
Landau co-produced Bruce Springsteen’s iconic album, which was recorded at the Hit Factory and The Power Station in New York City, featured seven Top Ten singles and made Springsteen a superstar.
Jon Landau and Natalie Merchant at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (c. 1995) by Kevin MazurRock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau and Natalie Merchant at the Rock Hall, 1995
Jon Landau managed Natalie Merchant beginning in the mid-1990s and oversaw her first major solo concert tour in 1998, the Come on Over Tour.
Handwritten card to Jon Landau from Natalie Merchant (1995)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Handwritten Card to Jon Landau from Natalie Merchant, 1995
[Reproduction of interior]
Hall of Fame Interview with Inductee Jon Landau (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Interview with Inductee Jon Landau, 2020
Starting with his time as a pioneer rock journalist in the mid-Sixties to a long-time co-producer and manager of Springsteen, hosts Alan Light of SiriusXM VOLUME Debatable and Jason Hanley, Rock Hall's VP of Education will dive into Landau's stories for fans.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Jon Landau Acceptance Speech (2020)Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jon Landau Induction Acceptance Speech, 2020
The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees exhibit was onsite at the Rock Hall from August 14, 2020 to June 14, 2021.
