It’s the first week of summer in London, which means that it’s time for Wimbledon. So there’s something seasonally appropriate in Lyor Cohen serving up a racket sports metaphor to explain the approach that made him one of the most successful music executives of all time.
“Let’s say you invite me to play tennis,” Cohen asked, taking long quick steps through the streets of West London in a business casual navy sport coat and matching trousers. “What do you do at the beginning before you play?”
“You rally,” I answered.
“Exactly!” Cohen said. “So we’re knocking the ball back and forth—and after about 15 minutes into rallying, you’re feeling good. You know what you say? ‘Should we play a match?’”
YouTube’s global head of music is rushing to catch the tube to King’s Cross, the headqua…
It’s the first week of summer in London, which means that it’s time for Wimbledon. So there’s something seasonally appropriate in Lyor Cohen serving up a racket sports metaphor to explain the approach that made him one of the most successful music executives of all time.
“Let’s say you invite me to play tennis,” Cohen asked, taking long quick steps through the streets of West London in a business casual navy sport coat and matching trousers. “What do you do at the beginning before you play?”
“You rally,” I answered.
“Exactly!” Cohen said. “So we’re knocking the ball back and forth—and after about 15 minutes into rallying, you’re feeling good. You know what you say? ‘Should we play a match?’”
YouTube’s global head of music is rushing to catch the tube to King’s Cross, the headquarters of Google’s United Kingdom operations, but still takes the time to hold doors open for strangers. His antennae are...