Michael Cohl, a pioneer in the touring business, has been elected Live Nation‘s Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. Cohl was previously vice chairman, serving as a member of Live Nation’s board of directors since May 2006, and he replaces Randall Mays, who remains on the board. In addition, Cohl will continue in his role as chairman and CEO of Live Nation Artists, formerly known as Artist Nation, the company’s artist relations arm.
Live Nation, known more for its concert tours, has been making ticketing news lately, first with its announcement to end its 10-year relationship with Ticketmaster and with details of the new ticketing operation it plans to roll out next year and how that operation is going to work.
Cohl founded Concert Productions International in 1973; Live Nation acquired an interest in CPI in May 2006, and the rest of the company last year. He began his career in 1969 as a local concert promoter in Toronto, and has overseen tours and related ancillary businesses for more than 150 acts, including the Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, The Who, U2, Pink Floyd, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Crosby Stills Nash and Young. In addition, Cohl has also been involved in numerous theatrical productions, including “The Lion King” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot”.
