Industry Profile: David Davidian

— By Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner

Lighting designer/director David Davidian's resume reads like a who's who of the music world, working in various capacities for some of the industry's biggest names as a concert lighting designer and director, set and production designer, live concert video director and designer, network television director, special events lighting as well as working architectural, industrial and convention events.

David got his start in the music industry at the impressionable age of 16 as a promoter. After a few shows, "I lost my seed money," he laments. But, the lighting company he was using offered him a job, which he took, and he hasn't looked back from there.

David started out as head electrician and crew chief during the early 1970's to early '80s for The Rolling Stones, Journey, Procol Harum, Aerosmith, J. Geils Band, Alice Cooper, Kris Kristofferson, Sly & the Family Stone, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the US Festival.

As a lighting designer/director, David worked with Ted Nugent, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Jacksons, INXS, The Kinks, Luis Miguel, Kiss, Culture Club, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Slash's Snakepit, Tom Waits, John Hiatt, Motley Crue, Jackson Browne/Keb Mo', Steve Earle, and a host of many other tours.

Among the acts David production managed are Natalie Cole (1979-82), Stray Cats (Europe, 1984), Eddie Money (1984), Saxon (1984-86), and in the late '90s to early 2000's, Jon Bon Jovi (U.S., Europe, Australia), Culture Club, Yngwie Malmsteen, Third Eye Blind and Enrique Inglesias (U.S., Europe).

As a video director/designer, David has worked with Metallica, Rush, Sammy Hagar/David Lee Roth, Britney Spears, Eric Clapton, AC/DC, Luis Miguel, and others. "I got involved with video through Danny O'Bryen, my friend of many years," David explains. "He started BCC video and in 1990 called me and offered me a job. He trained me in the basics and threw me out there to sink or swim. I'm forever grateful to him and Jake Berry for giving me the chance to grow. Thank you."

David is currently out with Rush on the band's "30th Anniversary Tour 2004 as their video director.

After all these years, how has the concert industry changed for you personally?
It has become much more politically complex and the way that shows come to you and go past you has changed a lot since the 70's and 80's. Too many hidden agendas that I've no concept of, cannot identify and never realize.

What is the most elaborate lighting design you have ever been involved with?
The Van Halen and Bon Jovi shows in the 80's-90's. All of them were large complex rigs involving moving lights, trusses, video and required a lot of preparation. The most complex video system was the Metallica's for the summer 2003 tour.

What makes a good lighting designer/director and video director?
An open and creative mind, the ability to communicate your ideas and listen to others, and the technical knowledge and people skills to run a team of people towards a single goal.

How involved are the acts in the lighting design process?
They're all involved but to different degrees. Some look over every detail while others just kind of check in with very general questions. Van Halen and Bon Jovi were always interested in their shows as well as Jackson Browne.

Which do you prefer - lighting director or video director?
I don't prefer one to the other. I enjoy the two different creative mediums equally. I want to keep doing both to keep and edge and a fresh outlook on both of these creative outlets in my life.

What are the new trends in lighting design and video production?
Lighting is now incorporating LED technology more and more in addition to moving lighting fixtures. Whether it's MiPix screens, or LED striplights or fixtures, they're going to be growing into the lighting arena more and more.

With video it's more detailed screens, 10mm and smaller, moving and tracking screens, the low res video that's audio and lighting transparent and using multiple screens with multiple images on them.

First concert attended
Humble Pie at the Palace Theater in Providence, R.I. in 1971.

First industry job
I was hired as a lighting tech for Virgolight in Boston in 1973.

First concert worked
Mountain in 1972. I was on the lighting crew with Richard Oshen and Sam Schneiderman.

Career highlights
Aerosmith and Hot Tuna in the 70's, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Santana, Van Halen, Bon Jovi in the 80's; AC/DC, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Eric Clapton and Jackson Browne in the 90's, Rush, Metallica, and Jackson Browne now, because they were the wonderful combination of great talent and great production values in all their shows. I was proud of my lighting and/or video work with them, and the audiences were big and vocal in their appreciation of these shows, which is what it's all about to me.

Career disappointments
Losing Aerosmith, Van Halen and Bon Jovi in the late 90's, early 2000's. I was very emotionally invested in both of these bands, and I lost the show or was let go more because of politics than my ability to do my job. Like any story of this type there are many versions, but that was my feelings in those times. The problem for me was that because I was so invested, the disappointment and depression I suffered because of it, was especially severe.

Greatest challenge
Staying in the game -- trying to keep up with ever-changing products and technology and staying current with networking as well as the ever-changing politics of employment in this business.

Best business decision
Staying independent.

Best advice you received?
Buy real estate as a kid. I didn't, but I should have listened to my aunt years ago when she told me, and it's still good as gold advice in my opinion. Do it before you have the responsibilities that come later in life and sit on it as long as you can.

Most memorable industry experience
Doing a Journey, Montrose and Van Halen tour in 1978 and seeing Eddie Van Halen, Ronnie Montrose and Neil Schon trades licks across dressing room doors.

What friends would be surprised to learn about you
I've always wanted a tricked out 1970 Olds 442 hardtop.

Industry pet peeve
The balance of power swinging from a shared goal to a single purpose.

Office paraphernalia
Posters, gel books, VHS tapes, gold records.

If I wasn't doing this, I would be...
…a photographer.

Industry mentors
Richard Ocean, Sam Schneiderman, Mike Tait, Chip Monck.

David can be reached at: (818) 725-2575; e-mail: ddavidian@aol.com

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