Kevin Wall

Kevin Wall (born March 15, 1952), is an American producer, new media entrepreneur, investor and activist who creates and produces large-scale global music events, several of which have attracted audiences of more than 1 billion viewers. Wall’s projects frequently promote environmental and social activism, and include Live Earth, Live 8, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick Off Celebration Concert, and Chime For Change. Considered a pioneer in digital media and platform-agnostic content distribution, Wall received the first Emmy Award for interactive content.

Early life

Wall grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his family of fourteen worked and lived in a roller-skating rink called the Roller Dome. He programmed music as the Roller Dome disc jockey, and later said that the experience gave him insight into the power of music to move people.

Career

Wall left home at 18, and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he joined the Rainbow People's Party, a left-wing anti-Vietnam war group. Working as a promoter assistant for the Rainbow People's Party, Wall attended the protest and benefit concert for John Sinclair, who had received a 10 year prison sentence for the possession of 2 joints of marijuana. Sinclair was released from prison on appeal 60 days following the benefit. The concert, which featured John Lennon, was a catalyst for Wall. "The one event changed forever how I viewed things. I saw how media and music could really change the way people feel. It was a way to rally people together and emotionally help drive awareness and change," he said in a 2010 interview with the South China Daily News.