Dinner and A Movie: David Spero
The Heart Of Rock And Roll: A Cleveland Rocks Story
Storytellers: David Spero & Pat Donovan
Why you should see this film…
If you haven’t heard… Cleveland rocks! Cleveland music developer David Spero takes us on a tour of his lifelong music career and all the legends he’s met along the way. Hear exclusive interviews from some of these great artists and enjoy an array of music videos and live performances from some of your favorites, including Michael Stanley and Joe Walsh. The Heart of Rock and Roll: A Cleveland Rocks Story, directed by Patrick Donovan, celebrates the history of our beloved Cleveland music scene.
In the world of Rock n’ Roll, David Spero has done it all! Spero was a “rock-radio pioneer” in the 1970s and a “high-profile” music manager, representing artists like Michael Stanley, Joe Walsh, The Raspberries, Billy Bob Thornton, Dickey Betts and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and many more to this day! Among countless accomplishments, Spero is an original member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board of Directors and was inducted into the Ohio Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.
Admission is free, but please make a reservation.
Story topic this week…
Movie Night and Discussion: The Heart of Rock & Roll
If you haven’t heard… Cleveland rocks! Cleveland music developer David Spero takes us on a tour of his lifelong music career and all the legends he’s met along the way. Hear exclusive interviews from some of these great artists and enjoy an array of music videos and live performances from some of your favorites, including Michael Stanley and Joe Walsh. The Heart of Rock and Roll: A Cleveland Rocks Story, directed by Patrick Donovan, celebrates the history of our beloved Cleveland music scene. It’s part film night, part history lesson, and 100% rock and roll.
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.
Pat Donovan Bio
Pat W. Donovan brings an extraordinary blend of creative vision and business acumen to his documentary filmmaking. Best known for his critically acclaimed work as the business architect behind “1964 The Tribute” (hailed by Rolling Stone as the “Best Beatles Show on Earth”), Donovan has spent decades capturing the intersection of cultural phenomena and human experience.
His documentary The Heart of Rock and Roll, A Cleveland Rocks Story explores the transformative power of music and performance, drawing from his unique perspective of having revolutionized how audiences experience musical nostalgia.
Donovan’s global perspective informs his storytelling approach. Having worked extensively throughout the United States and Caribbean—including The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Turks & Caicos—and led innovative leadership seminars in Kenya, his films reveal hidden connections between diverse cultural experiences.
As the author of Take Charge! A Personal Guide for Taking Action and The Bear Necessities of Customer Service, Donovan brings storytelling principles to every aspect of his work. His gift for making complex concepts accessible and inspiring translates seamlessly to his documentary style, which balances intellectual depth with emotional resonance.
When not behind the camera, Donovan loves coaching in youth basketball leagues, embodying his belief that mentorship creates ripples of positive change. His commitment to developing human potential—whether through film, coaching, or his family life—provides the emotional core of his documentary work.
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.
Dining Option
Purchase of a ticket to a show in the Supper Club ensures you will have a seat for the concert. However, if you intend to dine before or during the performance, you also need to make a dining reservation. To make a dining reservation, click here or call our Box Office at (216) 242-1250. Click here to see the menu.
If you are attending a concert in the Supper Club with a party of two or more, please have one person make a reservation for the whole group to ensure you are seated together. If you are attending with a party of nine or more, you must call the Box Office to make your reservation at (216) 242-1250.
To better serve all our customers, we require that you arrive on time for your dining reservation. Arriving more than 15 minutes after your reserved time will result in the cancellation of your reservation. You will be seated for the concert, but you may be put on a waiting list for dining.
