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Danny Zelisko, a 61-year-old Chicago transplant, has created a concert<br />
promotion empire here in the Phoenix area (as well as in New Mexico,<br />
Nevada and, over the years, across the country) while building<br />
a stellar reputation as both a true music fan and an exceptional<br />
businessman. Zelisko regularly co-hosts a radio show on 93.9 FM with fellow<br />
local music aficionados such as Ed Masley from Arizona Central and Jason<br />
Woodbury from Aquarium Drunkard, playing local and national talent and<br />
discussing the influence of the artists.<br />
The modest Zelisko says he still “does okay” in the promotion business after<br />
walking away from Live Nation in 2011, who he worked for after he sold<br />
Evening Star Promotions to SFX (which later sold to ClearChannel and then<br />
to Live Nation). Zelisko does better than okay. His current company, Danny<br />
Zelisko Presents (DZP), puts on some of the better rock and roll shows in the<br />
Southwest. In October alone, DZP will promote acts as diverse as Slayer,<br />
Flaming Lips, Cyndi Lauper, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and more.<br />
Zelisko was gracious enough to check in with us during a recent vacation to<br />
talk a little bit about the state of the music scene in Arizona and how he came<br />
to have a very important place in it. The Valley would not be the same without<br />
Danny Zelisko, and for this, we salute him.<br />
How did you get into the concert business?<br />
I always loved music. I listened to the Four Seasons and Elvis and all those singers<br />
in the early ’60s. Then along came the Beatles. Things were never the same [for<br />
me]. I told all my friends about them, and of course they didn’t figure it out till the<br />
“Ed Sullivan Show” appearance [in 1965]. They were a baby band that I promoted<br />
to everybody, and they made it. I thought maybe I could do this promotion thing.<br />
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the music industry as it relates<br />
to your business over the years?<br />
Ticket prices became insane. And between Live Nation and Ticketmaster under one<br />
roof, it is a monopoly in many ways, but since it’s legal it keeps on happening. It’s<br />
very difficult to compete but not impossible.<br />
How has the live music landscape changed the most in Phoenix over<br />
the past few decades?<br />
Better and more facilities [are available], although I still love Celebrity Theatre<br />
[the venerable theater-in-the-round located at 32nd Street and Van Buren],<br />
along with the Talking Stick casino—I book that as well. The casinos have<br />
made it possible for many bands to continue to perform.<br />
JAVA 13<br />
MAGAZINE
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