John Branca

Last updated

John Branca
John brance website.png
Branca in 2022
Born
John Gregory Branca

(1950-12-11) December 11, 1950 (age 73)
Bronxville, New York, U.S.
Alma mater Occidental College (BA)
University of California, Los Angeles (JD)
Occupation(s)Entertainment and Corporate Attorney, Entertainment Manager
Years active1975present
Children3
Parent(s) Barbara Werle, John Branca Sr

John Gregory Branca (born December 11, 1950) is an entertainment lawyer and manager [1] who specializes in representing rock and roll acts. He is also co-executor of the Michael Jackson Estate.

Contents

Background

His mother, Barbara May Theresa Werle (1928–2013) was an entertainer and Harvest Moon Ball winner who danced on The Ed Sullivan Show and appeared in many Elvis Presley films. She moved to Los Angeles when Branca was four to pursue her show business career. Branca lived with his father, also named John, who later served as the New York State Athletic Commissioner. (His uncle, Ralph Branca, pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers for many years, including the 1947 World Series. [2] He is portrayed in the Jackie Robinson biopic 42 as one of Robinson's earliest supporters.) [3]

At age 11, Branca moved to LA, and at 13, started a rock band, The Other Half, for which he played guitar. Three years later, he played with a band that occasionally opened for The Doors at LA's Hullabaloo Club.

He majored in music at Los Angeles City College before transferring to Occidental College. Upon graduating, he enrolled at UCLA School of Law, serving as editor-in-chief of one of the law reviews, and received his degree in 1975. [4]

While working as an estate planner at the firm of Kindel & Anderson, Branca came across a Time profile of Elton John which mentioned entertainment lawyers. Branca realized that this field of law was his true calling. [5] One of Branca's early clients was Priscilla Presley. [6]

Career highlights

Michael Jackson

John Branca John branca img.jpg
John Branca

Branca was hired by Jackson after he fired his father Joseph Jackson as his career manager. He was also instrumental in the production and release of Michael Jackson's Thriller short film. [7]

Branca helped Jackson purchase ATV Music Publishing in 1985 for $47,500,000 (which held the copyrights to The Beatles' and Little Richard's songs). [8] Within a few years the catalog was worth more than $400,000,000. In 1990, Jackson terminated Branca's services due to perceived proximity to Walter Yetnikoff, the CEO of CBS Records, and a consultant to Sony Corp. Jackson also expressed concerns about Branca's representation of other artists such as the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. [9] Additionally, Branca requested a 5 percent interest in the Beatles catalog. [9] Three years later, Jackson sought Branca's advice on merging his ATV catalog with Sony, resulting in Branca rejoining Jackson's team in exchange for a 5% share of the ATV catalog. [9] In 1995, Branca proposed a merger of Sony's music publishing operations and ATV, resulting in Jackson becoming a significant owner of a larger company and receiving $150 million from Sony. Branca received 5 percent of this, amounting to $7.5 million. [9] [10]

In 2003, Jackson fired Branca based on a private investigation on behalf of him suggesting the flow of funds from Jackson through Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola and Branca into offshore accounts in the Caribbean. [11] [12] [13] In 2006, Jackson and Branca's relationship deteriorated further, leading Branca to resign due to conflicts between Jackson and Sony over Branca's 5 percent stake, which complicated Michael's financial situation. As part of the settlement, Branca sold back his stake for a substantial sum. [9] Branca reached out to Randy Phillips expressing interest in rejoining Jackson's team shortly after Jackson concluded the press conference for "This Is It" in early March 2009. [9] Frank DiLeo, Jackson's manager, acted as an intermediary between Branca and Jackson at the request of Randy Phillips. [9] Branca was rehired by Jackson on June 17, 2009. [14] [9]

In the Michael Jackson probate case, Branca produced Jackson's final will and testament, which designated Branca as executor. The Jackson family filed a preemptive probate action in the Los Angeles Superior Court, based on the allegation that Jackson died "intestate," without a valid will. Branca filed the will in Los Angeles on July 1, 2009, and was appointed co-executor. [15] After initially contesting the appointment of Branca and John McClain as executors of Michael's will, his mother Katherine withdrew her objections on November 10, 2009. According to the Associated Press, her attorney, Adam Streisand, said "Mrs. Jackson felt it was time legal fighting ended and that her actions were in the best interest of Michael's children." [16] In an interview published in December 2010 she was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying that Branca and McClain are doing "a very good job" managing the estate. [17]

Projects for the estate that Branca initiated include the concert film Michael Jackson's This Is It , which Branca served as Executive Producer; [18] , and which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-grossing documentary film at the global box office; [19] Cirque du Soleil's "Immortal" which toured from 2011 to 2014 and closed as the eighth-highest-grossing tour of all time; [20] a second, permanent "Cirque" show, Michael Jackson: One at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, which opened in June 2013 and of which he is also a producer; a bestselling Ubisoft video game; a Spike Lee documentary, Bad 25, which Branca also served as producer; [21] the 2014 #1 hit album Xscape ; and the "Slave to the Rhythm" "holographic" Jackson performance featured at the Billboard Music Awards, the first of its kind. Additionally, Branca and the estate brought in Tony Award winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage to create MJ the Musical , which opened in February 2022, [22] and an upcoming feature film about Jackson's career produced by Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) producer Graham King [23] that Branca hopes will become “the largest grossing, most acclaimed biopic in the history of Hollywood.” [24]

In 2019, following the release of Leaving Neverland which focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the singer, he and the rest of the estate condemned it as a "tabloid character assassination". [25] The issues had caused them to file a $100 million lawsuit against HBO, petitioning the court to compel their arbitrate cooperation regarding the film's broadcast. [26] As Jackson is dead, HBO cannot be sued for defamation. Instead, the estate claimed HBO had violated a 1992 agreement never to disparage Jackson's public image, stipulated in the terms for broadcasting his concert film Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour . [27] Eventually, he and the estate sued HBO for violating a non-disparagement clause in a 1992 contract by agreeing to run the documentary. The suit sought to compel HBO to litigate the issue in a public arbitration process and claimed that the estate could be awarded $100 million or more in damages. The suit accused HBO of fabricating lies with a financial motive. HBO did not stop the airing of the documentary on March 3. [28] [29] On September 19, Judge George Wu tentatively denied HBO's motion to dismiss the estate's lawsuit. Branca said HBO has been trying to suppress the other side of the story. "I've never seen a media organization fight so hard to keep a secret," Branca said. [30] On the following day, Judge Wu gave a final ruling to deny HBO's motion to dismiss the case, granting the Jackson estate's motion to compel arbitration. [31] On October 21, 2019, HBO filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit seeking appellate review of the District Court's order, granting the Jackson estate's Motion to Compel Arbitration. The Ninth Circuit eventually affirmed the District Court's order in favor of the Jackson estate.

In February 2024, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International announced actor Miles Teller had been cast to portray Branca in the Michael Jackson biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua. [32]

Artist representation

In 1991, Branca put together what's considered rock's first mega-deal, a four-album deal for Aerosmith with Sony, estimated to be worth $50 million. [33]

In 2005, Branca brokered a ground-breaking 360 deal between Korn and EMI, which made EMI a partner in all of Korn's operations. EMI earned a stake in all of Korn's touring and merchandise, instead of only handling the band's CDs, which has typically been the record company's role. A few months later, Branca, with his partner David Lande, expanded the circle to include concert promoter Live Nation. [34] The duo has since put together Live Nation 360 deals for Shakira and Nickelback.

Music publishing

In 1985, Branca facilitated one of the most famous music publishing deals in history, the purchase of ATV Music Publishing for Michael Jackson. [8]

In 2008, changes in the tax law that allowed songwriters to pay a small capital gains tax instead of a larger income tax prompted Branca to advise some of his clients that this was the perfect time to sell their music publishing catalogs, thereby establishing new precedents in valuation. Ensuing sales included: Kurt Cobain and Nirvana copyrights; Steven Tyler's Aerosmith publishing catalog of 160 songs to Primary Wave Music Publishing for $50 million; Julian Lennon's share of The Beatles' royalties, and the catalog of the legendary song-writing team of Leiber & Stoller to Sony/ATV, which created a new yardstick by which the worth of catalogs was measured. He also sold Berry Gordy's Jobete Music to EMI, which changed the method and standard by which catalogs were valued. [35]

In 2009, Branca beat out Wall Street investment banking houses to represent the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and sold their catalog for an excess of $200 million, despite predictions by TheWall Street Journal and others that the catalog wouldn't fetch more than $150 million. [35]

He also represented Sony Corporation of America in the $2.2 Billion acquisition of EMI Music Publishing and EMI and Sony/ATV in the sale of the Virgin Music catalog. [10]

In addition, Branca helped songwriters such as Don Henley of Eagles regain copyrights of their songs, or to help them secure royalties that they've lost, as he did with John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. [36]

Personal life

At Branca's first wedding, Michael Jackson was best man and Little Richard served as minister. [37]

He has two sons from his second marriage, and a daughter from his first. [5] His net worth has been estimated at US$100 million. [38]

Public service

Branca helped Buddy Arnold form the Musicians Assistance Program, which later merged with MusiCares, which provides help to members of the music industry who need treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as assistance for other financial, medical and personal crises. [39] He currently serves as Chair Emeritus of Musicares. For his support, the Grammy Foundation honored him with its 2012 Service Award. Additionally, he is on the Board of the Grammy Museum, the Board of Trustees of Occidental College [40] and on the executive committee of UCLA's Pauley Pavilion Renovation Campaign Committee, the goal of which is to transform the pavilion into a world-class sports and cultural facility for the university and community. Branca is a member of the Advisory Council for the Barack Obama Scholars Program at Occidental College. [41]

Through his work on behalf of Jackson's Estate Branca has become outspoken advocate of protecting the deceased from defamation. At a June 2019, UCLA Law School panel titled “Truth Be Told? Documentary Films Today,” Branca stated: “The purpose of the First Amendment is supposedly getting at the truth, but the lack of defamation protection for an individual no longer living isn’t helpful in that regard. If copyright protection is life plus 75 years, there’s no reason a defamation suit shouldn’t be life plus 20, 30 or even 40 years.” [42]

Branca is a Distinguished Alumni of Los Angeles City College. [43] He also co-founded Club 42, an integrated youth baseball league honoring Jackie Robinson, a teammate and friend of Branca's uncle, Ralph, on the Brooklyn Dodgers, [44] and Branca serves as a director of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. [45]

In 2020, Branca was named to the Inaugural Board of Advisors for the Dean of the Herb Albert School of Music at UCLA. [46]

In 2024, New York University unveiled the 4,400-square-foot Branca Family Baseball Training Center funded by Branca. In an interview Branca said the on-campus facility was a tribute to his uncle Ralph, a member of the school’s athletic Hall of Fame, and his father, who attended NYU on the GI Bill after World War II. Before the facility was built, NYU players, including Branca’s son Dylan, one of the team’s pitchers, had to travel as far away as Brooklyn or Staten Island to practice. [47]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackie Jackson</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1951)

Sigmund Esco "Jackie" Jackson is an American singer and songwriter best known as a founding member of the Jackson 5, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Jackson is the second child of the Jackson family, and the oldest Jackson brother.

Thomas Daniel Mottola is an American businessman, record executive, television producer, theater producer, film producer, investor, and serial entrepreneur. Mottola is Chairman of Mottola Media Group, cofounder of Ntertain Studios, founding partner of Range Media Partners, and was Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, parent of the Columbia label, for nearly 15 years. Since 2000, he has been married to Mexican actress and singer Thalía.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neverland Ranch</span> Home of Michael Jackson from 1988 to 2005

Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly Neverland Ranch or Neverland Valley Ranch, is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, located at 5225 Figueroa Mountain Road, Los Olivos, California, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest. From 1988 to 2005, it was the home and the private amusement park of the American singer Michael Jackson. The ranch is about 5 miles (8 km) north of unincorporated Los Olivos, and about eight miles (13 km) north of the town of Santa Ynez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Robson</span> Australian dancer and choreographer

Wade Jeremy William Robson is an Australian dancer and choreographer. He began performing as a dancer at age five, and has directed music videos and world tours for pop acts such as NSYNC and Britney Spears. Robson was the host and executive producer of The Wade Robson Project, which aired on MTV in 2003. In 2007, he joined the Fox television dance series So You Think You Can Dance as a guest judge and choreographer. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for the dance number "Ramalama " of So You Think You Can Dance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Music</span> American multinational music recording company

Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Sony Entertainment and managed by the American umbrella division of multinational conglomerate Sony. It is the recording division of the Sony Music Group, with the other half being the publishing division, Sony Music Publishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Music Publishing</span> American music publishing company

Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC is the largest music publisher in the world, with over five million songs owned or administered as of end March 2021. US-based, it is part of the Sony Music Group, which is itself owned by Sony Entertainment. The company was formed as Sony/ATV in 1995 by the merger of the original incarnation of Sony Music Publishing and ATV Music, which was owned by late entertainer Michael Jackson. Jackson had purchased ATV Music, which included the Lennon–McCartney song catalog, in 1985.

Northern Songs Ltd was a limited company founded in 1963, by music publisher Dick James, artist manager Brian Epstein, and songwriters John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles, to publish songs written by Lennon and McCartney. In 1965, it was decided to make Northern Songs a public company, to reduce their income tax burden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taj Jackson</span> American musician and producer

Tariano Adaryll "Taj" Jackson II is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and director. He is an original member of 3T along with his brothers; Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joe ("TJ") Jackson. His career and solo work include a reality television series for which he was executive producer. His band 3T currently still tours, and he works as a spokesperson on behalf of the Jackson family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jackson</span> American singer (1958–2009)

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Known as the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. During his four-decade career, his contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture. Jackson influenced artists across many music genres. Through stage and video performances, he popularized complicated street dance moves such as the moonwalk, which he named, as well as the robot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMI Music Publishing</span> British music publishing company

EMI Music Publishing Ltd. is a British multinational music publishing company headquartered in London, owned by parent company Sony Corporation of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death of Michael Jackson</span> 2009 death of American singer

On June 25, 2009, the American singer Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 50. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, said that he found Jackson in his bedroom at his North Carolwood Drive home in the Holmby Hills area of the city not breathing and with a weak pulse; he administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to no avail, and security called 9-1-1 at 12:21 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC–7). Paramedics treated Jackson at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood at 2:26 p.m.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is It (Michael Jackson song)</span> 2009 promotional single by Michael Jackson

"This Is It" is a song co-written by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson and Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka. The song was recorded by the former and featured as a track on the album of the same name which accompanies the 2009 concert documentary Michael Jackson's This Is It.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Bandier</span> American music executive (born 1941)

Martin N. Bandier is an American music industry executive who was the CEO/Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing for 11 years from 2007 until 2019. Prior to that he was the chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing Worldwide from 1991 to 2006. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

<i>Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland</i> 2017 television film directed by Dianne Houston

Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland is an American biographical television film based on the 2014 book, Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days, written by Jackson's personal bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. The film dramatizes Jackson in the final years of his life.

<i>Leaving Neverland</i> 2019 documentary film

Leaving Neverland is a 2019 documentary film directed and produced by Dan Reed. It focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the American singer Michael Jackson. Their allegations are the subject of a recent legal ruling, Safechuck v. MJJ Productions, clearing the way for a trial of their long-running claims.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jackson fandom</span> Fan community of American singer

Fans of American singer Michael Jackson are known as Moonwalkers.

<i>Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary</i> 2019 American film

Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary is a documentary produced by Liam McEwan, and directed by Eli Pedraza, which explores the allegations of child sexual abuse against singer Michael Jackson, by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. The documentary presents interviews with individuals described as having been omitted from HBO's work, who counter the version of events presented in that work.

Bryan Freedman is an American entertainment lawyer and litigator. He is co-founder of the Los Angeles–based law firm Freedman & Taitelman LLP. Freedman is known for representing many high-profile defendants in the entertainment industry, including actors, sportspeople as well as motion pictures and television companies, among others.

The Estate of Michael Jackson is a legal entity established following the death of American singer Michael Jackson in 2009 for the purpose of administering his property and overseeing his posthumous income. Jackson's last will was filed by the attorney John Branca at the Los Angeles County courthouse on July 1, 2009. Signed July 7, 2002, it names Branca and accountant John McClain as executors; they were confirmed as such by a Los Angeles judge on July 6, 2009. All assets are given to the (pre-existing) Michael Jackson Family Trust, the details of which have not been made public. The Associated Press reported that, in 2007, Jackson had a net worth of $236.6 million: $567.6 million in assets, which included Neverland Ranch and his 50% share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing' catalogue, and debts of $331 million. The guardianship of his three children is given to his mother, Katherine, or if she is unable or unwilling, to singer Diana Ross. Jackson's will allocates 20% of his fortune as well as 20% of money made after death to unspecified charities.

References

  1. "John Branca". Variety. September 23, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  2. "Obituary News". Legacy.com .
  3. "Story of Ralph and Jackie still resonates". ESPN.com. December 30, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  4. "John Gregory Branca". State Bar of California. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Good Vibrations". Occidental College. March 3, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  6. Interviewer: Diane Sawyer (June 14, 1995). Primetime . ABC.
  7. "Director: Funds for 'Thriller' were tough to raise". TODAY.com. April 25, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Hilburn, Robert (September 22, 1985). "The long and winding road". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Roberts, Johnnie L. (December 9, 2010). "A Superlawyer Returns, a Pop Icon Dies - a Will Is Discovered".
  10. 1 2 "Sony's historic buyout of Sony/ATV: 5 things you need to know". Music Business Worldwide. March 15, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. Roberts, Johnnie L. (December 5, 2010). "The Secret Probe That Got Branca Fired".
  12. Knopper, Steve (June 28, 2016). MJ: The Genius of Michael Jackson. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   978-1-4767-3038-7 via Google Books.
  13. Wiesner, Dieter; Jah, Yusuf (February 20, 2020). "Michael Jackson: The Real Story: An Interactive Look Into Michael Jackson's Visionary Business and Human Side". KingDoMedia via Google Books.
  14. Rosenbaum, Claudia (March 21, 2019). "What John Branca Is Doing to Save the Jackson Legacy After 'Leaving Neverland'". Billboard .
  15. ""Michael Jackson's Will Cuts Out Ex-Wife Deborah Rowe", Associated Press via Yahoo News (July 1, 2009)".
  16. "CNN". Archived from the original on October 2, 2012.
  17. "Los Angeles Times - California, national and world news - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times .
  18. "Michael Jackson's This Is It -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  19. "Highest-grossing documentary film at the global box office". Guinness Book of World Records.
  20. "Michael Jackson Immortal Tour Wraps With Eighth-Best Gross of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  21. "Bad 25: Venice Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  22. "Startin' Somethin'! MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical, Arrives on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  23. Galuppo, Mia (November 22, 2019). "Michael Jackson Biopic In the Works from 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Producer". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  24. "How the King of Deals Resurrected the King of Pop's Estate | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  25. Kennedy, Gerrick D. (January 26, 2019). "Michael Jackson estate rips controversial 'Leaving Neverland' doc: 'It has always been about money'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  26. "Leaving Neverland director: 'We needed to establish what Michael Jackson was doing with little children'". The Independent. February 25, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  27. Martinelli, Marissa (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson's Estate Is Suing HBO Over Leaving Neverland". Slate Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  28. "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary". The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  29. Maddaus, Gene (February 21, 2019). "Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO for Non-Disparagement Contract Breach". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  30. Maddaus, Gene (September 19, 2019). "Judge Sides With Michael Jackson Estate in 'Leaving Neverland' Dispute". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  31. "'Leaving Neverland' Judge Sides With Michael Jackson Estate, Compelling HBO to Arbitration". Billboard. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  32. D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 6, 2024). "Miles Teller To Play Michael Jackson's Attorney John Branca In Biopic 'Michael'". Deadline. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  33. Goldstein, Patrick (August 14, 1991). "Aerosmith to Sign Monster Sony Pact : Pop music: The deal would make the band rock's highest paid group but the band still owes Geffen two albums. Returns on Sony's investment wouldn't be realized until 1995". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  34. "Live Nation Invests In Korn". Billboard. January 11, 2006. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  35. 1 2 "Billboard Power 100: John Branca". Billboard. January 26, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  36. "The Prince of Rock". Daily Journal Corporation. August 2, 2011.
  37. Daly, Michael (July 2, 2009). "Michael Jackson turned to old friend and entertainment lawyer John Branca in times of trouble". Daily News . New York.
  38. Haithman, Diane (October 12, 2017). "KING'S COUNSEL". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  39. "MusiCares Foundation Acquires Musicians' Assistance Program, Creating Preeminent Assistance Resource for Musicians; Agreement Unites Leadership, Experience to Help Artists in Need". Business Wire. September 21, 2004. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  40. "Panel Discussion: Future of the Music Industry". Occidental College. April 20, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  41. "John Branca". The Barack Obama Scholars Program. September 21, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  42. Trakin, Roy (June 6, 2019). "'Neverland' Ethics Questioned as Michael Jackson Lawyers Speak at Documentaries Panel". Variety. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  43. "Distinguished Alumni | Los Angeles City College Foundation" . Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  44. "Club 42: When Passion Met Philanthropy". homebusinessmag.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  45. "Board of Directors". JackieRobinson.org.
  46. "Industry leaders to discuss future of music business in UCLA virtual event series". UCLA. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  47. Blezow, Dave (February 28, 2024). "How Dodgers great Ralph Branca's family legacy at NYU is still growing" . Retrieved March 11, 2024.