University News Last updated 19 February 2010
Showbiz lawyer turned author Steven Machat has visited Birmingham City University to talk about his career working within the music and film industries
Over the last three decades Steve has been an entertainment lawyer, record company owner and music publisher, as well as an author, and has represented, among others, local acts Ozzy Osbourne and ELO.
Speaking to students from the University's' School of Media, New Yorker Steven said: “ELO was my favourite band to work with and I loved Roy Wood and The Move. I also worked with Black Sabbath and when they sacked Ozzy I worked with him at the time he was making the album Blizzard of Oz.” Steven has also represented Leonard Cohen, Phil Spector, Genesis, Peter Gabriel and New Edition/Bobby Brown.
He got into law by following in his father's footsteps; Marty Machat was the lawyer for the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Sam Cooke and the Four Tops among others. However it was the one act Marty failed to secure that inspired Steven to work in the entertainment industry. Steven said: “Frank Sinatra was a friend of my dad's and although he was quite old he had a young spirit. He was a pleasure to be around and a real inspiration.”
During the talk (held on Wednesday 17 February) Steven discussed the highs and lows of his life such as helping to set up the WOMAD festival with Peter Gabriel to Sharon Osborne trying to prevent the publication of his autobiography 'Gods, Gangsters and Honour'.
The talk was part of a series organised by lecturer, Siobhan Mullen. Siobhan said: “It's great for the students to be able to hear talks from people about their careers."
Future speakers include an entrepreneur, a media correspondent and a representative of the BBC trainee production scheme. These talks appeal to a wide range of students from undergraduates to those studying for master's qualifications such as MA Social Media, MA Creative Industries and Cultural Policy and MA Event and Exhibition Management.