Who the F**k is Arthur Fogel?

"Who The F**k Is Arthur Fogel?" is a fascinating and engaging documentary exclusive to the Epix platform from 2014 that focuses on the life and career of Arthur Fogel, a name unfamiliar to many but with an influence that looms large over the music industry. This hour-and-a-half television event digs deep into the experiences, achievements, and obscurities of a man who, despite his behind-the-scenes nature, has had a profound impact on the global music scene.

Arthur Fogel is the CEO of Global Touring and Chairman of Global Music at Live Nation, and probably the biggest titan in the live music industry most people have never heard of. The Canadian-born tour promoter has been the driving force behind U2's 360° Tour, Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour, and Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour, to name just a few. His influence and reach, while seldom highlighted, have significantly shaped the scope and form of contemporary worldwide music tours featuring big-name artists.

However, the heart and soul of the documentary lie in its compelling storytelling style, which affords viewers a rare glimpse into the world of modern music touring from a business perspective while illuminating Fogel's unique approach. Personal struggles, victories, strategic decisions, and some moments showing the man's journey into the global music scene are laid bare with sincerity, providing an intimate understanding of the man behind the music.

The extraordinarily articulate and straightforward Fogel narrates much of his story, which is supplemented with numerous interviews and appearances from numerous music talents including U2's Bono, Sting, Neil Young, Rush's Geddy Lee, Madonna, and Lady Gaga. Celebrities shed light on how Fogel's concert strategies revolutionize the way artists perform, highlight the loving relationships built over years of mutual professional respect and admiration, and celebrate an individual who helped shape their own musical destinies.

There are also interviews with other major personalities like former Universal Music Group chairman Doug Morris, manager Paul McGuinness, and music journalist Larry LeBlanc. Through these experiences, the audience is given context and perspective into the full impact and contributions of Fogel's work to the music industry. They provide a fascinating look not only into Fogel's business acumen but also into his brilliant mind and unerring nose for the Next Big Thing.

Fogel has been instrumental in guiding the industry through significant changes in the past 30 years. His vision combined with hardy pragmatism results in massive worldwide spectacles, delivering a new mode of expression for artists and experiences for fans that were nothing short of revolutionary. Particularly intriguing are the parts where the documentary explores Fogel's response to the 2000s piracy crisis that tore through the record industry. It reveals an adaptive, progressive approach that helped establish him as a stalwart in a struggling industry.

Overall, "Who The F**k Is Arthur Fogel?" is a riveting deep dive into the dynamic, intense, and sometimes cutthroat world of live music touring. Here, the stories and strategies largely unfold through the man himself, providing the audience with a fundamentally personal and uniquely introspective view of an industry often regarded as impersonal or commercially driven.

The documentary is enhanced by the director Ron Chapman's sharp and insightful production. Chapman's rich background in music documentary films provides this documentary with a robust balance of substance and entertainment, resulting in a compelling viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Who The F**k Is Arthur Fogel?" serves to both elucidate the important but shadowy figure of Arthur Fogel who changed the music industry and to celebrate an industry that is both vibrant and varied. It is packed with riveting anecdotes, searing insight, and considerable charm. It promises to surprise and intrigue, whether you are a long-time/music insider, a casual music fan, or simply someone nostalgic for a good music documentary. Through its revealing and engaging narrative, viewers gain newfound appreciation for the efforts and tribulations that go into mounting major tours, and the charismatic, tireless man orchestrating it all from behind the curtain.