3/21/2022

1999 was a very good year for print music magazines. That’s when the Schneider Rondan Organization, in our previous incarnation as MSO, proudly mailed out this promo card touting our clients on covers. We really miss the many magazines that would later fold or go online only.

2/26/2001

Mitch Schneider recalls that this was a fun press release to write: The Black Crowes + Oasis’ 2001 “The Tour Of Brotherly Love.” And 21 years ago today, MSO (before we were known as Schneider Rondan Organization)

blasted it into the universe, by fax, email + regular mail (on brightly colored paper, an MSO trademark). What a terrific name for a tour—a cheeky nod to the volatility of the Robinson + Gallagher brothers. Mitch saw various shows including a pair at Radio City Music Hall in NYC. Such a treat, he says, to see the Gallaghers team there with The Crowes for the evening’s finale: a cover of The Stooges’ “Down On The Street.”

2/5/22

Crazy, but Mitch Schneider once got to ask Mick Jagger, “Would you like to go backstage with me?” Back in the day while handling The Black Crowes’ PR, Mitch was positioned in the VIP area of the NYC venue The Bank wrangling celebrities to say “hi” to the band after a private show to support their V2 debut album ‘Lions.’ Here’s the ‘Us Weekly’ article about that starry night, 21 years ago this month, with Jagger, Goldie Hawn (then mother-in-law to Chris Robinson), Liv Tyler + Moby all on hand. Big shout-out to photographer Kevin Mazur, whose skill + nice guy affability reliably make his photos stand out. Everyone smiles for Kevin…😊

35 years ago tomorrow, The Everly Brothers received their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Tom Petty presenting it to Don and Phil. The Everlys were my clients, and I thought to invite Tom to make the event even more special. Six months later, to my good fortune, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers became my client, a 17-year run during which they were also honored with their Star (1999). Big shout-out to my pal Mary Klauzer (Lookout Management, then East End Managment), who saved this confirmation memo I wrote to Tom’s manager Tony Dimitriades in 1986 (while at Michael Levine PR, then across the street from Lookout). Mary, bless her heart, surprised me with it when I saw her this past August in L.A…it’s something I will truly cherish forever.

With concerts coming back, today I reached into my pile of tour books of artists whose PR we’ve been lucky to handle. Along with the artists, road crew, managers, agents, accountants and other band handlers, we received these books at the start of every tour which list tour dates, hotels/amenities, etc. There’s a world of memories I tap into, and some drama too, when I look at these crown jewels from the #mitchmuseum.

For Schneider Rondan Organization, the fun continues as we still work with Ozzy Osbourne and Joe Perry.

Remember the days when press kit folders with striking covers were used to excite the media about projects? From my collection of past PR clients…

One of my early publicity clients in the biz at Michael Levine PR was Detroit metal act Madame X (thanks to Don Arden and Pat Siciliano at Jet Records). I needed a solid national look to turn folks onto their 1984 debut album, so I pitched Creem magazine the idea of a photo shoot for their “Creem Dreem” section with the band’s sisters Maxine Petrucci and Roxy Petrucci…and, yep, President Ronald Reagan. I somehow got permission from the Hollywood Wax Museum to do the shoot with their wax figure of Reagan one morning before it opened. Maxine and Roxy, with their gloriously teased hair and tons of make-up, cozied up to the conservative President, touching his face and neck and happily mugging for Robert Matheu’s camera. It was one of the best photo ops I ever set, but I was disappointed that we were not sued by the White House.

When it comes to band merch, it’s hard to beat this toddler dress that the Pistols’ camp gifted me with when we did their reunion PR. #mitchmuseum