Lee Solters
Lee Solters (born Nathan Cohen, June 23, 1919 – May 18, 2009) was an American
Early life and career
Born Nathan Cohen in
After leaving military service, he went into the
In 1991, after 35 years, Solters parted ways with Roskin and Friedman to form his own agency.[4]
In the last ten years of his life, Solters was partnered with Jerry Digney in Solters & Digney Public Relations.
Promotion of plays and musicals
Solters worked on promotion of some 300 plays and musicals, such as the original
Notables represented
Among the celebrities he represented were Yul Brynner, Carol Channing, Jackie Gleason, Cary Grant, Barbra Streisand and Mae West. The firm also represented political figures, such as Gary Hart,[5] pop groups, including the rap group 2 Live Crew,[6] and corporate clients, such as FirstAir.[7]
After reports spread in 1990 of the death of
Las Vegas and Frank Sinatra
While representing Caesars Palace in Las Vegas , Solters first met Frank Sinatra. Solters followed Sinatra on his tour to ensure that Sinatra would be connected with the hotel. Solters told Sinatra that he wasn't impressed with his existing publicist and suggested that Solters would invite columnists in each city where he performed to meet the star five minutes before he went on stage to give the reporters a rarely obtained chance to speak directly with Sinatra.[8] The New Yorker recounted that "The first columnist they tried this on was Larry Fields of the Philadelphia Daily News, whose wife fainted when Sinatra kissed her cheek. 'Take care of it, Lee,' Sinatra said, and he was off."[1] After the concert, Fields wrote a glowing review. Solters used the same technique in succeeding cities and built much positive press for the singer. When he returned to Las Vegas, Sinatra's attorney Mickey Rudin informed Solters that "You're taking over" Sinatra's publicity.[8] The professional relationship with Sinatra lasted for 26 years.[1]
Rock groups
He represented the Beatles'
Death and tribute
Solters died at age 89 on May 18, 2009, at his home in West Hollywood, California. He is survived by a daughter and a son, two grandchildren and a great-grandson.
In an account related to
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Martin, Douglas. "Lee Solters, Razzle-Dazzle Press Agent, Dies at 89", The New York Times, May 21, 2009. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- ^ a b c Staff. "Veteran PR exec Lee Solters dies", Variety (magazine), May 18, 2009. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- ^ "archives.nypl.org -- Solters & Roskin press materials". archives.nypl.org. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ "PEOPLE WATCH". Los Angeles Times. 1991-11-21. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ "Take One". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ "2 LIVE CREW IS DEAD IN THE WATER AS LEAD SINGER TOLD TO REST". Deseret News. 1990-07-22. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- ^ a b Barnes, Mike of The Hollywood Reporter. "Hollywood PR maven Lee Solters dies at 89", Reuters, May 18, 2009. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- ^ "Lee Solters, an extraordinary press agent for everyone from Sinatra to the Beatles, has died". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
- Goldberg, Danny, as told to Tahmincioglu, Eve. "OFFICE SPACE: THE BOSS; Simple Twist of Fate", The New York Times, December 12, 2004. Accessed May 22, 2009.
External links
- "Lee Solters - Obituary". The Daily Telegraph, UK. 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2009-05-24.