The Upbeat Show at The Music Box

Storyteller: David Spero

 
 
 
 

Doors open at 5:00pm, with the storytelling beginning promptly at 7:00pm

• Weekly series combining great food with great stories about Cleveland’s past
• FREE ADMISSION – NO COVER CHARGE
• In addition to our regular menu, we will be offering affordable specials on these nights

Story topic this week…

The Upbeat Show
Music Box is honored to be hosting one of the kick-off events for Cleveland History Days. And we are very excited to be hosting a Cleveland Stories Night featuring stories from David Spero, whose father was the visionary producer of The Upbeat Show, a historic rock and roll variety TV show produced in Cleveland from 1964 to 1971. Hosted by Don Webster, Upbeat featured a who’s who of future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. David assisted his father with production responsibilities and will be showing film clips of some of the amazing acts, followed by personal stories about the acts that performed on the show.
 

David Spero Bio

David Spero was destined to be part of Rock and roll’s history!

Starting at age 13, he worked on his father Herman’s Upbeat TV show holding cue cards and later serving as ‘Talent Coordinator.’ Upbeat was seen in over 100 cities between 1964 and 1971. He has since produced four Upbeat Live shows on Cleveland television garnering 3 Emmy nominations.

A radio career started in 1968 at WXEN-FM in Cleveland. Stints at WNCR, WMMS, M105 and WNCX helped establish him as a top disc jockey in the then new and emerging field of FM radio.

Hanging around with recording stars evolved into a career in artist management. David Spero Management was formed in 1973 steering the career of local icon Michael Stanley and producer Bill Szymczyk (Eagles, Who, Bob Seger etc).

David took a thirteen year break from Rock and Roll when he accepted a job as Managing Director/Midwest for Columbia/Tri Star Pictures. He coordinated the regional releases of such pictures as Ghostbusters, The Natural, Tootsie, and Gandhi during his tenure.

But Rock and Roll came calling again in 1990 when Eagle Joe Walsh asked Spero to manage his career. He added other artists such as Harry Nilsson, Vanilla Ice, Eric Carmen and Ian Hunter. Spero produced ‘The Joe Walsh/Glenn Frey Tour’ which was the precursor to ‘The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over Tour.’

The rigors of touring took their toll and in 2000, Spero ‘retired’ and accepted the position of Vice President of Programming and Education at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In this poison, Spero produced the successful MTV show Live At The Rock Hall which aired for two seasons and featured such artists as Linkin Park, John Meyer, Godsmack, Avril Lavigne and Alicia Keyes.

But again, antsy for that Rock and Roll lifestyle, David Spero Management was back in business in 2003 representing the careers of Billy Bob Thornton, Hall of Famer Dickey Betts, Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens, Survivor, Nelson, Don Felder, JD Souther and The Funk Brothers. Later additions include Bad Company, Petula Clark, Paul Rodgers and Patty Smyth.

David, 74, is currently a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Directors and was recently inducted into the Ohio Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Last year, David was inducted into the Personal Managers Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. His memoir, A Life In The Wings, has been very successful. A documentary on his life has started screening nationwide.

About Cleveland History Days

Through 11 days of events, presented by Canalway, explorers are invited to immerse themselves in the captivating stories that shaped the city. The event showcases Cleveland’s cultural institutions, historical societies, museums, and preservation organizations, which are all working to preserve and promote the city’s unique heritage. Nearly 70 community partners come together to offer a diverse array of activities: guided walking tours, lectures, panel discussions, open houses, and special events that delve into Cleveland’s industrial heritage, diverse populations, and significant contributions to popular culture.
 

The goal of the Cleveland Stories Dinner Party is to bring to life some of the fun, interesting stories about Cleveland’s past – from sports, to rock ‘n roll, to Millionaire’s Row, — the series will focus on tidbits from Cleveland’s past that will really thrill the audience. The Music Box is presenting this series in partnership with the Western Reserve Historical Society’s new Cleveland History Center. We think the Cleveland History Center is one of the most important museums in Cleveland. An unknown gem that Clevelanders should know more about, and support. It is the only museum in Cleveland dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of Cleveland. The Cleveland History Center includes two mansions, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, Research Library, Kidzibits Hands-On Gallery, rotating exhibitions, and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.

See all Cleveland Stories dates here.