Funkytown Stories
Steven Greenberg discusses the unique life of his song 'Funkytown.' From its genesis in a Minneapolis studio, to its rise to worldwide hit status under the moniker Lipps Inc., and to its long afterlife in numerous movies, ads and TV shows, 'Funkytown' endures as a classic pop
confection, and a landmark of the disco era. 'Funkytown' is also making news by being the first song to have a request entered with the Copyright office to revert ownership rights back to the author. The copyright reversion issue has serious implications for artists, and 'Funkytown' is blazing the trail.
Presenters
Ken Abdo is Chair of Lommen Abdo Law Firm’s Entertainment Law Department which has served as legal counsel to music, film, TV, theatre, literary publishing and media artists for over 27 years. Firm clients include multiple GRAMMY award recipients, gold and platinum recording artists, as well as Oscar, Emmy, Peabody and Spirit award winners. Ken’s focus is on music law and business over all media platforms. Following earlier years as a musician and entertainer, his legal career has been recognized for successful work with developing artists, legacy artists, and music artist estates. He has helped build a national practice and one of the most successful and visible entertainment law practices in the Midwest. His legal team has been at the fore of copyright transfer termination issues since filing the nation’s first post-1978 notice. His commitment to artist advocacy and the legal profession have vaulted him to national leadership positions with The Recording Academy, The American Bar Association and other organizations.