Freddie Gershon
Freddie Gershon is an entertainment attorney, lecturer in entertainment law, published author of Sweetie, Baby, Cookie, Honey, a roman a clef novel about the music industry of 1960s thru 1980s, and former COO of the Stigwood Group of companies and current co-owner (with Sir Cameron Mackintosh) of and CEO Chairman of Music Theatre International, largest secondary rights of dramatic performing rights organizations in the world. (Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Guys and Dolls, The Music Man and 250 other titles)
Gershon’s career (initially he was a classical musician who studied at The Juilliard School for 8 years) started after he graduated from Columbia Law School in 1964. Some of his early accomplishments include representing film directors Michael Ritchie, stage director choreographer Ron Field, playwright Tom Eyen, and the rock band Chicago. In 1971, Gershon became counsel to The Robert Stigwood Group Ltd. and represented them on landmark concert tours, including the Broadway production and film Jesus Christ Superstar as well as Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominoes, Eric Clapton, The Bee Gees and the financing of Tommy the film. He also represented RSO Records and later partnered with CBS Masterworks Records and Allan Carr with producing a breakthrough album for Plácido Domingo, Goya...A Life in Song. He has been active in charities such as the arts connection and served as vice chairman of the Development Committee for NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
Freddie Gershon, as the Chairman/CEO of Music Theatre International (MTI) has, since 1994, been working on the development of MTI's Broadway Junior Program, which is designed to bring art, theater, dance and music to children. Gershon is also co-chairman of SESAC, a 75-year-old small performing rights organization. He lives in New York City with his wife, Myrna.