Michael Lippman death

Photo Credit: Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty by Martini / CC by 3.0

Prominent artist manager Michael Lippman, known for his work managing George Michael and Matchbox Twenty, has passed away at age 79.

Michael Lippman, a prominent artist manager who helped guide the career trajectory of George Michael, Matchbox Twenty and Rob Thomas, and Elton John’s writing partner Bernie Taupin, passed away at his Santa Ynez, CA, home on Monday. He was 79 years old. A cause of death has not yet been announced.

“Dad was a relentless advocate for his clients, his friends, and his family,” wrote his son Josh in a statement. “He was the person you wanted in your corner in any situation. He transitioned from bulldog to effortless charmer on a dime, often multiple times in a conversation, and never met a challenge he couldn’t solve.”

“Michael was my mentor and the greatest teacher,” added his son Nick. “For over twenty years, we travelled the world and shared a bond that grew deeper with time. We spoke every day and often finished each other’s sentences. Our relationship was shaped by the work we did side by side, and a bond of love, trust, and mutual respect.”

Over the last 20 years, Lippman and his son Nick have partnered on managing clients and other businesses under the Lippman Entertainment banner. “I believe I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have been able to work with my two sons and my brother in the same business,” he told Billboard in 2016.

In the 1970s, he also represented David Bowie during his iconic Ziggy Stardust era after the two worked together on Bowie’s 1976 film, The Man Who Fell to Earth. But he was best known for his work with George Michael after the singer’s post-Wham! launch as a solo artist until Michael’s death in 2016. Lippman said he “fell in love” with Michael’s 1987 solo debut, Faith, and became determined to make him “the biggest thing in the world.”

Lippman admitted that he had built a reputation for being intimidating in order to secure the best deals for his clients. “You’re fighting 10 other managers,” he told Billboard. “I want more time, attention, and money spent on my artists than the nine other guys. So I created this persona that people respected and slightly feared, and hopefully, if things went the right way, I got what I wanted.”

Michael Lippman is survived by his wife Nancy, his sons Josh and Nick, daughter-in-law Lauren, granddaughters Olivia and Jordan, and grandsons Zachary and Tucker.