Ep536: Danny Goldberg - Bumping Into Geniuses (Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, & more)

Danny Goldberg shares insider stories from his 50-year career as Led Zeppelin's publicist and Nirvana's manager, revealing Kurt Cobain's creative genius and the first-hand dynamics behind rock's biggest bands.

Order Danny's book "Bumping Into Geniuses" here

Topics Include:

• Danny discusses the 2026 reissue of "Bumping into Genius"
• Admits his turntables are mostly for show, prefers streaming now
• Kept about 100 vinyls including The Fugs on ESP Records
• Answered a Billboard ad not knowing music business existed
• Found his calling through enthusiasm and sensitivity to artists
• Became Led Zeppelin's US publicist in 1973 for Houses of the Holy
• The biggest band in the world had never gotten positive press
• Peter Grant described them as "just mild barbarians"
• Bonzo would arrive early to tune drums for each room's acoustics
• Jimmy Page avoided TV—felt it couldn't deliver Zeppelin's true sound
• Physical Graffiti era: Danny became Swan Song Records vice president
• His blues tribute pitch rejected—later repurposed for Foghat
• Robert Plant was eloquent and handled most press duties willingly
• Jimmy's Crowley interest rarely came up in day-to-day interactions
• Met Ringo, never John or George—All Things Must Pass is essential
• Nirvana's 92 Australian tour produced the Rolling Stone cover shoot
• Kurt's "Corporate magazines still suck" shirt was pure tightrope genius
• He storyboarded every Nirvana video shot by shot himself
• Appeared on Headbangers Ball in a dress to subvert metal culture
• Nevermind hit five radio formats simultaneously—unprecedented crossover success
• Kurt agreed to edit In Utero packaging for Walmart-only kids
• Fame invaded his privacy—tabloid coverage of Courtney infuriated him
• Depression and heroin predated fame—confirmed by Chris Novoselic
• Danny dismisses conspiracy theories—Seattle PD had no coverup motive
• Sub Pop planned "Cash Cow"—Kurt licensed it back as Incesticide
• Incesticide liner notes rank among Kurt's most remarkable creative statements
• Danny calls In Utero Kurt's best songwriting, his personal favorite
• Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time gave Danny credibility to expand management
• John Silva brought Redd Kross, leading to Sonic Youth, then Nirvana
• Born Innocent documentary on Redd Kross earns Danny's recommendation

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

• Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios
• Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot
• Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon
• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide