Concerts continue to be put on hold, but there’s an absorbing opportunity to read all about what it takes to make them happen thanks to Danny Zelisko’s sprawling new book, “All EXCE$$ Occupation: Concert Promoter.”

The behind the scenes star in his own right sure does have encyclopedias of tales to tell after producing more than 10,000 shows with literally every global superstar imaginable that’s been on the road throughout the last five decades.

The local native (who’s logged time at the top of Live Nation and numerous other major agencies prior to starting Danny Zelisko Presents) gave Chicago Concert Reviews a sample packed with backstage experiences, prized memorabilia, industry insight and an expert opinion on when live music might come back.

How would you sum up the role Chicago played in your foundation as a promoter? 

Danny Zelisko: Growing up in Chicago in the ‘60s was a special time. We had the best sports teams in baseball, football and hockey with the greatest Chicago players active then. Also, we had WLS and WCFL radio that played all the newest and best songs. Meanwhile, being from Chicago led me to doing shows with Scotty Gelman, longtime Jam Productions promoter and friend since the ‘70s. 

Name a great and unusual concert in town.

Zelisko: The best Chicago show I saw was Pink Floyd in ‘72 at the Auditorium Theatre, a life-changing night for me and several friends who still haven’t come down! Unusual was a show I wanted to attend at the Aragon with Little Feat, Lee Michaels and ELO [Electric Light Orchestra]. I think Lee was the only one that showed and the promoter didn’t give us our money back, which was wrong.
 
Is there any specific vibe or any distinguishing characteristics that come from a Chicago audience you can’t really find elsewhere? 

Zelisko: I can vibe a Chicago audience with my eyes closed. There is a certain sense of charm, yet wildness in the air when you are at a show in Chicago, like no other town.
 
Many behind the scenes books have come out during quarantine from record label executives, producers, etc. How do you hope yours stands out from the pack?

Zelisko: I took an unconventional approach to this. It isn’t a tell-all, but I tell a lot! I put 700 mostly never before seen photos throughout the book, rather than a chintzy photo section like many books do. It explains what’s been going on in the last 50 years in live music without sounding too inside and over people’s heads. You can read this book and have a good head start towards any gig you might want to find. I am proof of that.

As you wrote, did your memories come flooding back or did it take some digging? 

Zelisko: I had bullet points down for years that all I had to do was expand on. Then some new chapters wrote themselves, just thru simple life, and were added. This is the result of over ten years of actual work on the final book, on and off. Most of it comes flooding when you are talking with someone who is truly interested in the old stories.
 
Did you exclude any super crazy stories, and if so, can you at least tell us the premise, even if you don’t want to out the act? 

Zelisko: Let’s say that in the ‘70s and ‘80s, we were all a lot younger with a bottomless supply of energy with the perks of putting on shows. We all had some serious fun, kind of like a World Series/New Year’s Eve every night! The Van Halen shows, Scorpions, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi and Iron Maiden shows, to name a few, brought serious fun and games. By and large, very innocent gatherings losing some steam after a big night.
 
What’s an outlandish way fans try to get backstage? 

Zelisko: I love it when they say, “my brother is in the band. I gotta see him.” Then they get brought back and busted!
 
The memorabilia you display within the pages is enviable, though it’s probably just the tip of the iceberg. What are a handful of your most prized possessions, either seen or unseen? 

Zelisko: There are a lot of great signed items, such as posters, guitars, photos and thousands of t-shirts, passes, set lists, you name it. I got a signed Beatles guitar off a guy about 20 years ago, which I built a safe for. My signed stuff from [Chicago Cubs shortstop/first baseman] Ernie Banks and [Chicago Bears running back] Brian Piccolo are my favorite items that I got directly from the guys. They were the greatest influence a kid could ever have.
 
What do you want music lovers to get out of all this?

Zelisko: That you need to stay in there fighting when you know you should be doing something. It took me several years, as a young guy, to make any kind of steady money, but once I got there, I never looked back. Look ahead and recognize opportunities when they present themselves. There’s no ceremony or warning. You gotta be quick or lose in this world.
 
How about anyone who hopes to follow in your promoting footsteps?

Zelisko: Suggest another route! There’s gotta be something else you can do. This gig is a lot of traveling, schmoozing, and hard, exhausting work, every day. It’s a grind, but when it works, there is nothing like it.
 
Given all the music industry’s changes since you started, do you think it’s even possible to replicate your accomplishments nowadays? 

Zelisko: Yes, absolutely. The world is always ready for someone special to pick up the baton. No one lives forever. There are always chances, anywhere you look.

In what ways do you hope your agency, Danny Zelisko Presents, is unique from those you’ve worked for in the past? 

Zelisko: It’s unique because as the actual owner who is still hands on, [I’m present at] every show and available to ensure things go smoothly. We pride ourselves on delivering what we promise, to the bands and the audiences, [which are] great shows that start close to on time that leave them needing more.
 
What is your forecast on when concerts, in any form, will come back to Chicago?

Zelisko: The [COVID] numbers gotta come down and people gotta get vaccinated. I would love to think we could do some partial capacity shows here this summer and going full bore in the fall. Everybody needs to be and stay cool. Patience is hard. This has been a long one, but I don’t think it will be much longer.

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For additional information on Danny Zelisko, visit DannyZeliskoPresents.com.