Aerosmith

LOS ANGELES, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) -- Two former partners in Front Line Management, Irving Azoff and Howard Kaufman (following a multi-million dollar investment by Thomas H. Lee Partners), have merged their two companies to reform Frontline, the management company the two ran from 1974 to 1983. Mr. Azoff left the original Frontline management firm to become president of MCA Records in 1983, and Mr. Kaufman created a talent management company, HK Management.

Billboard reports that Frontline intends to purchase other management and entertainment service companies, according to sources, with the treasure chest provided by T.H. Lee Partners.

Among Azoff (azoffmusic management) and Kaufman's (HK Management) clients are Christina Aguilera, the Eagles, Seal, Lenny Kravitz, Alan Jackson, Velvet Revolver, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Chris Isaak, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Buffett, and others.

This past fall, Thomas H. Lee Partners purchased a minority interest in Jeff Kwatinetz's The Firm.

A spokesperson for both companies told CelebrityAccess that none of the representatives were commenting on the merger, as of yet.

The New York Times reported that the new company is expected to include, the executives said, a traditional talent-management operation and a second unit that would sell artist-related services including distribution, merchandising, fan-club operation and ticketing.

This can only fuel speculation that Lee's interest in three major management firms may lead to further consolidation. Stay tuned. --by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers