Joel Katz, Former Attorney to James Brown, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson and Many Top Music Executives, Dies at 80

Joel Katz, Former Attorney to James Brown, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson and Many Top Music Executives, Dies at 80

Joel Katz, for decades one of the most powerful attorneys in the music business, has died, Variety has confirmed. No cause of death was cited but Billboard reports that he died “peacefully at home, with his wife Rikki by his side.” Katz was founding chairman of the entertainment and media practice at the top law […]

Music Industry Says Goodbye to Legal Heavyweight Joel Katz

Photo Credit: Joel Katz, courtesy of the Katz family Powerful longtime music attorney Joel Katz, whose clients included James Brown, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and the Recording Academy, has passed away. He was 80 years old. Joel Katz was the founding chairman of the entertainment and media practice at top law firm Greenberg Traurig, and was heavily involved in the Recording Academy and Country Music Association. He negotiated major deals for bot…