LOCAL
MUSICIAN Spotlight
Lee Brovitz
writing about the local live music scene in SWFL. Some are veterans of the world stage and others are gifted musicians performing on the local level. However, my good friend and music mentor, Lee Brovitz, is one of the few artists who has crafted a successful career do- ing both. If you are a fan of the local live music scene, chances are you've already seen Lee. This bass playing resident of Marco Island has performed at just about every notable live music venue in the area. When he isn't traveling to play bass and sing as a "hired gun" for one of the many well-known music industry icons, Lee performs with some of SWFL’s top talent. I finally got a chance to chat with Lee during a rare
I have met some incredible artists during my years
projects with Henry Gross, a super friend and superb writer, and writing some garage retro-rockers for a ten- tative new Shadows of Knight album. I still have a solo record on the back burner; it’s a personal legacy that I have been putting off for too long. Last, but not least, I’ve started writing a book about my career as a hired gun in the music industry. I have virtually hundreds of anecdotes and compelling insider stories that need to be told – they’re funny, provocative, fascinating… and all true!" I pressed Lee to tell me what he considers to be
“As far as songwriting, I am working on a few new
his three most notable achievements. He replied, “I don’t know... hmmm... I think that’s ongoing. Every day there's another mountain to climb. I have a gold record, but I don’t have a Grammy yet! To be honest, I think living a healthy, honest life with integrity while work- ing in an industry riddled with theft, corruption, vice, and dependence is my crowning achievement.” I then inquired, "Where do you see yourself in ten years?” Brovitz smiled as he said, "Doing another interview with you to see if I’ve accomplished anything since this one!" We both laughed and took a sip of wine. I then asked Lee about his impressions of the current state of the music industry. He answered, "In one respect I think the music industry is dead... dead and gone. My generation is the last ride, but I’m still holding
on. On the other side, it's like the Wild West - no rules. The internet is now the virtual “trunk of the car” that Elvis sold his records from. It’s a gateway to the new paradigm." Before we realized it, our bottle of wine was empty,
break in his busy schedule. We met during one sunny af- ternoon in February at Tara's Steak & Lobster House on Marco Island, a popular upscale restaurant and lounge where Lee and I perform together every Saturday night. While sharing a bottle of wine from their extensive list, Lee answered questions about his illustrious career. As a child, he was banging on kitchen pots and pans before he could walk. He started taking guitar lessons at age nine, and his music theory comprehension and ability to read musical notation at an early age led to proficien- cy with many instruments and later to an education at Berklee College of Music. His career as a journeyman artist included performing live with Cyndi Lauper, The Byrds, The Shadows of Knight, The Mystics, The Tokens, The Beau Brummels, Herman’s Hermits, The Boxtops, Mitch Ryder, Otis Day, Rick Derringer, Ian Mitchell’s Bay City Rollers and over 100 other legendary recording artists. In addition to playing bass for many notable names in the music industry over the past five decades, Lee has also been a musical director for many of them. Lee gives credits to his greatest influences. “My fa-
ther was a bass player in his youth and still comes out to see me perform from time to time. My uncles also played different instruments. I come from a musical family that was very supportive." Lee describes his cur- rent projects as, "Having too many irons in the fire! On the live tour side of things, Tommy Roe, best known for his hits “Dizzy” and ”Sheila”, is coming out of retirement to play some tour dates. I performed with Tommy for decades and will be on this tour. We’ve been trying to kick start some dates this summer with Henry Gross, singer of the popular song “Shannon”.
been working with The Moony Mann Band and Jazz on the Rocks, just to name a couple of the more well- known bands that I perform with when I'm not out of town for a gig”.
Locally, I have PULSE MAGAZINE ---------- 56
the interview was over, and Lee was off to a show in Orlando. If you ever have the chance to see and hear Lee perform, I guarantee that you’ll enjoy his music. If you’re lucky enough to have a conversation with this music legend, you will be amazed at some of the stories he has about his years in the music business. I'm cer- tainly looking forward to his book! Lee Brovitz is a true survivor in a tough industry, and that is why he is, and will always be, in the spotlight. For a complete list of Lee's upcoming performance
dates, discography, lists of artists that he has collabo- rated with, and more information about his numerous other achievements in the music industry, visit:
www.bassicleemusic.com www.pathorgantalent.com
Written by: Moony Mann
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